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Oil Sands Environmental Management Bibliography

The Cumulative Environmental Management Association (CEMA)partnered with the Oil Sands Research and Information Network (OSRIN) to create the new Oil Sands Environmental Management Bibliography, which includes documents relevant to the environmental management of oil sands development in Alberta. The majority of the documents focus on the mineable oil sands in the Athabasca deposit, though some documents relate to in-situ developments. This bibliography was last updated in November 2014.

Traditional knowledge overview for the Athabasca River watershed

Authors Parlee, B.
Year of Publication: 2011

Citation:
Parlee, B. (2011).  Traditional knowledge overview for the Athabasca River watershed. 57 pages .
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Traditional knowledge research guidelines - Revised edition 2012

Authors undefined, Donald G., & McNeilly G.
Year of Publication: 2012

Citation:
undefined, Donald G., & McNeilly G. (2012).  Traditional knowledge research guidelines - Revised edition 2012. 121 pages .
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Traditional use mapping of the lower Athabasca River: Phase 1 study

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
This Phase 1 report describes the First Nations and M tis communities in the Lower Athabasca River area and discusses the traditional use activities that occur in the region. Impact hypotheses and pathways are described for the potential effects of water level changes in the Athabasca system. Substantial sections of the report are devoted to identifying gaps in traditional use information presently available, particularly information that could support testing of impact hypotheses and pathways.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Traditional use mapping of the lower Athabasca River: Phase 1 study. (WRG Westland Resource Group Inc., Ed.). 54 pages . Abstract
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Training and employing indigenous workers: A conceptual scheme and a proposal

Authors Assheton-Smith, M. I.
Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
In this report Dev-Cor Technical Services presents a plan for employing indigenous people under the auspices of the Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Research Program (AOSERP). The introductory section of the report details the assignment as given by AOSERP and briefly describes the Program and its study area in northeastern Alberta. The second section forms the body of the report, providing a general conceptual model of employment and the occupational structure, a proposal for the training of indigenous people which would facilitate their employment, and a research procedure for evaluating the efficacy of the training-employment proposal. The third and final section touches on related points, such as the availability of training institutions and funding. The final recommendation is that AOSERP contract an outside agency to carry out the recruitment, training, and research procedures outlined in the report and that it utilize this process to meet its commitment to hire local people. It is also an excellent opportunity to research the use of training and employment as an intervention procedure for maximizing the benefits and minimizing the adverse effects of rapid resource development for an indigenous population.

Citation:
Assheton-Smith, M. I. (1979).  Training and employing indigenous workers: A conceptual scheme and a proposal. 70 pages . Abstract
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Transcriptional responses of male fathead minnows exposed to oil sands process-affected water

Authors Wiseman, S. B., He Y., Gamal-El Din M., Martin J. W., Jones P. D., Hecker M., et al.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Wiseman, S. B., He Y., Gamal-El Din M., Martin J. W., Jones P. D., Hecker M., et al. (2013).  Transcriptional responses of male fathead minnows exposed to oil sands process-affected water. 157(2), 8 pages .
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Transcriptional responses of the brain-gonad-liver axis of fathead minnows exposed to untreated and ozone-treated oil sands process-affected water

Authors He, Y., Wiseman S. B., Wang N., Perez-Estrada L. A., El-Din M. G., Martin J. W., et al.
Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
Oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) produced by the surface mining oil sands industry in Alberta, Canada, is toxic to aquatic organisms. Ozonation of OSPW attenuates this toxicity. Altered concentrations of sex steroid hormones, impaired reproductive performance, and less prominent secondary sexual characteristics have been reported for fish exposed to OSPW. However, the mechanism(s) by which these effects occur and whether ozonation can attenuate these effects in fish was unknown. The objective of this in vivo study was to investigate the endocrine-disrupting effects of OSPW and ozone-treated OSPW on the abundances of transcripts of genes in the brain–gonad–liver (BGL) axis in male and female fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Abundances of transcripts of genes important for synthesis of gonadotropins were greater in brains from both male and female fish exposed to untreated OSPW compared to that of control fish. In gonads from male fish exposed to untreated OSPW the abundances of transcripts of gonadotropin receptors and several enzymes of sex hormone steroidogenesis were greater than in control fish. The abundances of transcripts of estrogen-responsive genes were greater in livers from male fish exposed to untreated OSPW than in control fish. In female fish exposed to untreated OSPW there was less abundance of transcripts of gonadotropin receptors in gonads, as well as less abundance of transcripts of estrogen-responsive genes in livers. Many effects were either fully or partially attenuated in fish exposed to ozone-treated OSPW. The results indicate that (1) OSPW has endocrine-disrupting effects at all levels of BGL axis, (2) OSPW has different effects in male and female fish, (3) ozonation attenuates the effects of OSPW on abundances of transcripts of some genes, and the attenuation is more prominent in males than in females, but effects of ozonation on endocrine-disrupting effects of OSPW were less clear than in previous in vitro studies. The results provide a mechanistic basis for the endocrine-disrupting effects of OSPW from other studies.

Citation:
He, Y., Wiseman S. B., Wang N., Perez-Estrada L. A., El-Din M. G., Martin J. W., et al. (2012).  Transcriptional responses of the brain-gonad-liver axis of fathead minnows exposed to untreated and ozone-treated oil sands process-affected water. 46 (17), 7 pages . Abstract
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Translating the closure plan into an operational reclamation programme at Canadian Natural's Horizon Oil Sands Mine

Authors Tuttle, S.
Year of Publication: 2011

Citation:
Tuttle, S. (2011).  Translating the closure plan into an operational reclamation programme at Canadian Natural's Horizon Oil Sands Mine.
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Transportation corridor study. Volume 2 Appendix: Extracts from existing literature compiled for use of Study Group

Authors
Year of Publication: 1973

Abstract:
With the large number of persons involved in this particular study it was decided that considerable time (money) could be saved by gathering into one volume extracts of available literature. Reports, studies by other groups, articles, information and literature in regard to environmental impact, transportation corridors, multiuse of rights-of-way, etc. have been reviewed and portions of some of these have been included. No attempt has been made to summarize, edit or abstract any of the material. Generally only a portion of the report such as the introduction and/or conclusions have been included in this volume.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1973).  Transportation corridor study. Volume 2 Appendix: Extracts from existing literature compiled for use of Study Group. (Stewart Weir Stewart Watson & Heinrichs, Ed.). 388 pages . Abstract
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Transportation corridor study. Volume 3 Appendix: The effect of existing legislation

Authors Swist, R. C., & MacKay C.
Year of Publication: 1973

Abstract:
It is the purpose of this report to examine existing legislation to determine (1) what machinery is available for the creation of a transportation corridor, (2) what problems accrue or could accrue by virtue of that legislation. Examination of this area raises several questions: (1) what is the most suitable legal structure by which to effect a transportation corridor, (2) what legislation is relevant, (3) is this legislation sufficient to ensure the proper operation of the corridor, (4) if the existing legislation is inadequate, what alterations, amendments, or new enactments are required. Since it is extremely difficult to analyze these problems in the abstract, for purposes of explanation only, we have chosen two theoretical models which shall be referred to as (1) the limited governmental role, (2) the active governmental role. It is recognized that the variety of permutations and combinations between the public and private sectors input is limitless, therefore these models are not intended to limit that choice but rather are used solely for explanatory purposes. At this juncture, it should be mentioned that the basic tools available to achieve the required objectives are (1) zoning, (2) purchase, (3) expropriation, (4) legislative enactments. Since the width, composition, and location of the corridor have not as yet been determined this report will not recommend any specific legal structure. It is intended to explain the existing law and the problems therein so that these choices can be made more intelligently.

Citation:
Swist, R. C., & MacKay C. (1973).  Transportation corridor study. Volume 3 Appendix: The effect of existing legislation. 87 pages . Abstract
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Transportation corridor study. Volume 4 Appendix: Environment - general characteristics & conditions - part 1

Authors
Year of Publication: 1973

Abstract:
Contains the following sections: Environment Characteristics and Conditions - Bolter Parish Trimble Ltd. Soils - Tom Peters and Associates Wildlife - Stewart Weir Stewart Watson & Heinrichs, Ducks Unlimited (Canada) Preliminary Review and Land Evaluation - Siemens Realty and Appraisal Services Ltd.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1973).  Transportation corridor study. Volume 4 Appendix: Environment - general characteristics & conditions - part 1. (Bolter Parish Trimble Ltd., Ducks Unlimited (Canada), Tom Peters and Associates, Siemens Realty & Appraisal Services Ltd, Stewart Weir Stewart Watson & Heinrichs, Ed.). 259 pages . Abstract
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Transportation corridor study. Volume 4 Appendix: Environment - general characteristics & conditions - part 2

Authors
Year of Publication: 1974

Abstract:
Contains the following chapters: Environment Characteristics and Conditions - Bolter Parish Trimble Ltd. Soils - Tom Peters & Associates Wildlife - Ducks Unlimited (Canada), Stewart Weir Stewart Watson & Heinrichs The Human Settlement Pattern of the Expanded Study Area - K.C. Mackenzie Associates Ltd.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1974).  Transportation corridor study. Volume 4 Appendix: Environment - general characteristics & conditions - part 2. (Bolter Parish Trimble Ltd., Tom Peters and Associates, K.C. Mackenzie Associates Ltd, Stewart Weir Stewart Watson & Heinrichs, Ed.). 70 pages . Abstract
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Transportation corridor study. Volume 5 Appendix: Effect on human settlement patterns

Authors
Year of Publication: 1973

Abstract:
The general purpose of this report is to examine various constraints, resulting from human settlement patterns, which will affect the selection of a route for the proposed pipeline corridor. In addition to the definition of constraints, the report will also identify factors which, unlike constraints which are primarily negative in nature, would attract or encourage a proposed corridor route. The report will ultimately become an appendix to the first volume of the Corridor Study which will contain the recommended route for the pipeline corridor. The report contains, therefore, not only information and opinions relating to human settlement patterns, but recommendations regarding locational factors which the Study Group should consider in selecting the recommended corridor routes or alternative routes.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1973).  Transportation corridor study. Volume 5 Appendix: Effect on human settlement patterns. (K. C. MacKenzie Associates Ltd., Ed.). 75 pages . Abstract
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Transporting Alberta's oil sands products: Defining the issues and assessing the risks

Authors Crosby, S., Fay R., Groark C., Kani A., Smith J. R., Sullivan T., et al.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Crosby, S., Fay R., Groark C., Kani A., Smith J. R., Sullivan T., et al. (2013).  Transporting Alberta's oil sands products: Defining the issues and assessing the risks. 152 pages.
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Treasure in the sand: An overview of Alberta's oil sands resources

Authors Hirsch, T.
Year of Publication: 2005

Abstract:
From humble beginnings in the 1960s, development of Alberta’s oil sands has grown into a major driver of the provincial economy and a significant contributor to Canada’s crude oil supply. With an estimated 2.5 trillion barrels of oil in the ground, it is one of the largest deposits of oil on earth. But there is one major problem – the oil trapped in the oil sands is much more difficult and expensive to extract than is conventional crude oil. Nonetheless, oil companies have made tremendous headway in developing ways to extract the oil from the oil sands. Already, more than 1 million barrels of oil are produced each day from the oil sands – about a third of current total Canadian crude oil production. This figure is expected to double to 2 million barrels a day by 2010 when it will account for 57% of all oil production in the country. To date, over $34 billion has been invested in the oil sands – more than the total annual GDP of neighbouring Saskatchewan. According to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), close to $38 billion in investments are planned over the next ten years – a number that changes almost daily as more and more projects are announced. These projects are having a massive impact on investment activity, exports, and employment. Despite the massive scope of oil sands development, few of us have taken the time to understand what it all means to Alberta and to Canada. How do we get oil from oil sands? Who owns the oil? How much oil is there? What do these projects mean for our environment, the economy and the global supply of oil? This report seeks to provide an accessible primer on the oil sands, its importance to the economy, and the core public policy issues to which they give rise. A key goal here is to expand awareness of Alberta’s oil sands outside the province and the energy sector.

Citation:
Hirsch, T. (2005).  Treasure in the sand: An overview of Alberta's oil sands resources. 19 pages . Abstract
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Treatment of fluid fine tailings with silica

Authors Moffett, R. H.
Year of Publication: 2011

Citation:
Moffett, R. H. (2011).  Treatment of fluid fine tailings with silica. 6 pages .
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Treatment of oil sands industry waste water using reverse osmosis membranes

Authors Banerjee, A.
Year of Publication: 1984

Citation:
Banerjee, A. (1984).  Treatment of oil sands industry waste water using reverse osmosis membranes. 153 pages .
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Treatment of oil sands mature fine tailings with silica

Authors Moffett, R. H.
Year of Publication: 2010

Citation:
Moffett, R. H. (2010).  Treatment of oil sands mature fine tailings with silica. 8 pages .
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Treatment of oil sands process-affected water with ceramic ultrafiltration membrane: Effects of operating conditions on membrane performance

Authors Alpatova, A., Kim E. - S., Dong S., Sun N., Chelme-Ayala P., & El-Din M. G.
Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
This study investigated the performance of 1 kDa ceramic ultrafiltration membrane for the removal of inorganic and organic compounds from oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) generated after thermal operations of heavy oil recovery in Alberta, Canada. The OSPW was pretreated with alum coagulant, and the effect of operating conditions on subsequent membrane filtration was studied. While permeate flux increased with increasing trans-membrane pressure (TMP) from 1.4 bar to 3.5 bar, greater permeate flux decline was observed at TMP of 3.5 bar due to increased accumulation of foulants at the membrane surface. The membrane filtration performed at cross-flow velocity (CFV) of 0.2 L/min was characterized by the lowest initial and steady-state permeate fluxes and by the highest normalized flux decline compared to higher CFVs. This effect was attributed to lower turbulence at the membrane surface which might have promoted the buildup of contaminants. According to the resistance-in-series model, no irreversible membrane fouling was observed when OSPW was pretreated with coagulation–flocculation–sedimentation. The pore blocking and cake layer formation dominated at the beginning of filtration, whereas cake layer formation was the primary fouling mechanism at later stages. The final membrane permeates met the requirements for the high pressure-driven membrane processes (i.e., nanofiltration and reverse osmosis) with respect to turbidity and silt density index (SDI15) values. Up to 38.6 ± 2.7% (depending on TMP and CFV values) of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was removed, and the removal percentages of the acid extractable fraction (AEF) and naphthenic acids (NAs) were less because of the small sizes of NAs and other organic compounds contributing to the AEF as compared to the membrane pore sizes.

Citation:
Alpatova, A., Kim E. - S., Dong S., Sun N., Chelme-Ayala P., & El-Din M. G. (2014).  Treatment of oil sands process-affected water with ceramic ultrafiltration membrane: Effects of operating conditions on membrane performance. 122, 12 pages . Abstract
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Treatment of pulp mill and oil sands industrial wastewaters by the partial spray freezing process

Authors Gao, W., Smith D. W., & Sego D. C.
Year of Publication: 2004

Abstract:
The spray freezing process, a natural freezing technology, was used to treat pulp mill effluent and oil sands tailings pond water. The wastewaters froze partially or completely (i.e. with or without runoff generation) during the spraying operation. Greater than 60% impurity reduction in the spray ice was obtained when 30% of the total volume of the sprayed water was released as runoff. Organic and inorganic contaminants were rejected with different efficiencies. The impurities were uniformly distributed within the ice columns when the spray ice was produced without generating any runoff. While a significant increase in impurity concentration was observed at the bottom of the ice formed with runoff production. The spray freezing process is an effective and economically feasible technique for wastewater treatment in cold regions. To achieve higher impurity removal efficiency, the wastewater should be only partially frozen during spray ice production.

Citation:
Gao, W., Smith D. W., & Sego D. C. (2004).  Treatment of pulp mill and oil sands industrial wastewaters by the partial spray freezing process. 38(3), 5 pages . Abstract
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Treatment of tar sands tailings with fly ash

Authors Bakhshi, N. N.
Year of Publication: 1974

Citation:
Bakhshi, N. N. (1974).  Treatment of tar sands tailings with fly ash. 12 pages .
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Treaty No. 8 and the trapping rights of Aboriginal peoples: Empty promises?

Authors Passelac-Ross, M. M.
Year of Publication: 2005

Citation:
Passelac-Ross, M. M. (2005).  Treaty No. 8 and the trapping rights of Aboriginal peoples: Empty promises?. 7 pages .
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Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) nesting on wetlands impacted by oil sands mining are highly parasitized by the bird blow fly Protocalliphora spp.

Authors Gentes, M. - L., Whitworth T. L., Waldner C., Fenton H., & Smits J. E.
Year of Publication: 2007

Abstract:
Oil sands mining is steadily expanding in Alberta, Canada. Major companies are planning reclamation strategies for mine tailings, in which wetlands will be used for the bioremediation of water and sediments contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and naphthenic acids during the extraction process. A series of experimental wetlands were built on companies’ leases to assess the feasibility of this approach, and tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) were designated as upper trophic biological sentinels. From May to July 2004, prevalence and intensity of infestation with bird blow flies Protocalliphora spp. (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were measured in nests on oil sands reclaimed wetlands and compared with those on a reference site. Nestling growth and survival also were monitored. Prevalence of infestation was surprisingly high for a small cavity nester; 100% of the 38 nests examined were infested. Nests on wetlands containing oil sands waste materials harbored on average from 60% to 72% more blow fly larvae than those on the reference site. Nestlings on reclaimed sites suffered mean parasitic burdens about twice that of those on the reference site; and for comparable parasitic load, they exhibited greater pathologic effects (e.g., decreased body mass) than control nestlings. The heavy blow fly infestation on oil sands-impacted wetlands suggests that oil sands mining disturbs several components of the local ecosystem, including habitat characteristics, blow fly predators, and host resistance to parasites.

Citation:
Gentes, M. - L., Whitworth T. L., Waldner C., Fenton H., & Smits J. E. (2007).  Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) nesting on wetlands impacted by oil sands mining are highly parasitized by the bird blow fly Protocalliphora spp.. 43(2), 11 pages . Abstract
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Trees shrubs and seedlings planted on GCOS tailings dyke

Authors
Year of Publication: 1972

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1972).  Trees shrubs and seedlings planted on GCOS tailings dyke. (Great Canadian Oil Sands Limited, Ed.). 7 pages .
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Trembling aspen seedling establishment growth and response to fertilization on contrasting soils used in oil sands reclamation

Authors Pinno, B. D., Landhausser S. M., MacKenzie M. D., Quideau S. A., & Chow P. S.
Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) is an important tree species for land reclamation. This study determined trembling aspen germination, establishment, initial growth and response to fertilizer on contrasting oil sands reclamation soils. In a greenhouse, eight soils varying in total nitrogen and available phosphorus were treated with no fertilizer (control), phosphorus and potassium (PK), nitrogen (N) and all three (NPK). Soil had the greatest impact on aspen growth when no fertilizer was applied with the best growth occurring on organic-mineral material soils where growth was positively correlated with extractable and foliar potassium but not to nitrogen or phosphorus. With PK and N fertilizer, growth increases were positively correlated with foliar phosphorus concentrations of the corresponding controls. NPK fertilizer caused greater growth, bud set and root:leaf mass ratio compared with PK or N fertilizer. Soil type had little impact on germination and establishment, indicating natural aspen seedlings can potentially regenerate on all of these soils. In oil sands mining reclamation where these soils are used as surface materials, organic-mineral mixes had the greatest potential without fertilizer. With fertilizer, NPK provided maximum growth and developmental benefits.

Citation:
Pinno, B. D., Landhausser S. M., MacKenzie M. D., Quideau S. A., & Chow P. S. (2012).  Trembling aspen seedling establishment growth and response to fertilization on contrasting soils used in oil sands reclamation. 92(1), 8 pages . Abstract
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Tremie/diffuser as a tool to dredge and place tailings

Authors Costello, M., Van Kesteren W., Myers D., Nesler D., Horton J., Rowson J., et al.
Year of Publication: 2008

Citation:
Costello, M., Van Kesteren W., Myers D., Nesler D., Horton J., Rowson J., et al. (2008).  Tremie/diffuser as a tool to dredge and place tailings. 9 pages .
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