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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.

Annual Land Disturbance Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2008-2009 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area - Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on the ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and to collect the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. Landsat multispectral imagery for 2008 and 2009 and land use and land cover classification data derived from 2009 were used to produce this dataset. The land use and land cover changes include vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances, such as infrastructure related to oil and gas exploration, forestry and agriculture, and vegetation recovery from these disturbances. This digital data release contains the vegetation loss data from 2008 to 2009, classified into 9 classes: 1 - exposed land/cut blocks/harvested areas, 3 - transitional bare surfaces, 4 - mixed developed areas, 5 - developed areas, 6 - shoal, 7 - shrub land, 8 - grassland and 9 - agricultural areas. These categories can be used as baseline data for planning, managing and monitoring surface infrastructure needs and impacts.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Annual Land Disturbance Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2008-2009 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract
Full record

Annual Land Disturbance Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2009-2010 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area - Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on the ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and to collect the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. Landsat multispectral imagery for 2009 and 2010 and land use and land cover classification data derived from 2010 were used to produce this dataset. The land use and land cover changes include vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances, such as infrastructure related to oil and gas exploration, forestry and agriculture, and vegetation recovery from these disturbances. This digital data release contains the vegetation loss data from 2009 to 2010, classified into 9 classes: 1 - exposed land/cut blocks/harvested areas, 3 - transitional bare surfaces, 4 - mixed developed areas, 5 - developed areas, 6 - shoal, 7 - shrub land, 8 - grassland and 9 - agricultural areas. These categories can be used as baseline data for planning, managing and monitoring surface infrastructure needs and impacts.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Annual Land Disturbance Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2009-2010 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract
Full record

Annual Land Disturbance Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2010-2011 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area - Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on the ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and to collect the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. Landsat multispectral imagery for 2010 and 2011 and land use and land cover classification data derived from 2011 were used to produce this dataset. The land use and land cover changes include vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances, such as infrastructure related to oil and gas exploration, forestry and agriculture, and vegetation recovery from these disturbances. This digital data release contains the vegetation loss data from 2010 to 2011, classified into 9 classes: 1 - exposed land/cut blocks/harvested areas, 3 - transitional bare surfaces, 4 - mixed developed areas, 5 - developed areas, 6 - shoal, 7 - shrub land, 8 - grassland and 9 - agricultural areas. These categories can be used as baseline data for planning, managing and monitoring surface infrastructure needs and impacts.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Annual Land Disturbance Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2010-2011 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract
Full record

Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2005-2006 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area - Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on the ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and to collect the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. Landsat multispectral imagery for 2005 and 2006 and Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) classification data derived from 2006 were used to produce this dataset. The LULC changes include vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances, such as infrastructure related to oil and gas exploration, forestry and agriculture, and vegetation recovery from these disturbances. This digital data release contains the vegetation recovery data from 2005 to 2006, classified into 6 classes: 1 - shrub land, 2 - grassland, 3 - agricultural areas, 4 - coniferous forest, 5 - broadleaf forest and 6 - mixed forest.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2005-2006 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract
Full record

Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2006-2007 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area - Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on the ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and to collect the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. Landsat multispectral imagery for 2006 and 2007 and Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) classification data derived from 2007 were used to produce this dataset. The LULC changes include vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances, such as infrastructure related to oil and gas exploration, forestry and agriculture, and vegetation recovery from these disturbances. This digital data release contains the vegetation recovery data from 2006 to 2007, classified into 6 classes: 1 - shrub land, 2 - grassland, 3 - agricultural areas, 4 - coniferous forest, 5 - broadleaf forest and 6 - mixed forest.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2006-2007 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract
Full record

Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2007-2008 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area - Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on the ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and to collect the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. Landsat multispectral imagery for 2007 and 2008 and Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) classification data derived from 2008 were used to produce this dataset. The LULC changes include vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances, such as infrastructure related to oil and gas exploration, forestry and agriculture, and vegetation recovery from these disturbances. This digital data release contains the vegetation recovery data from 2007 to 2008, classified into 6 classes: 1 - shrub land, 2 - grassland, 3 - agricultural areas, 4 - coniferous forest, 5 - broadleaf forest and 6 - mixed forest.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2007-2008 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract
Full record

Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2008-2009 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area - Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on the ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and to collect the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. Landsat multispectral imagery for 2008 and 2009 and Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) classification data derived from 2009 were used to produce this dataset. The LULC changes include vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances, such as infrastructure related to oil and gas exploration, forestry and agriculture, and vegetation recovery from these disturbances. This digital data release contains the vegetation recovery data from 2008 to 2009, classified into 6 classes: 1 - shrub land, 2 - grassland, 3 - agricultural areas, 4 - coniferous forest, 5 - broadleaf forest and 6 - mixed forest.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2008-2009 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract
Full record

Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2009-2010 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area - Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on the ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and to collect the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. Landsat multispectral imagery for 2009 and 2010 and Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) classification data derived from 2010 were used to produce this dataset. The LULC changes include vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances, such as infrastructure related to oil and gas exploration, forestry and agriculture, and vegetation recovery from these disturbances. This digital data release contains the vegetation recovery data from 2009 to 2010, classified into 6 classes: 1 - shrub land, 2 - grassland, 3 - agricultural areas, 4 - coniferous forest, 5 - broadleaf forest and 6 - mixed forest.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2009-2010 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract
Full record

Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2010-2011 Landsat imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area - Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on the ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and to collect the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. Landsat multispectral imagery for 2010 and 2011 and Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) classification data derived from 2011 were used to produce this dataset. The LULC changes include vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances, such as infrastructure related to oil and gas exploration, forestry and agriculture, and vegetation recovery from these disturbances. This digital data release contains the vegetation recovery data from 2010 to 2011, classified into 6 classes: 1 - shrub land, 2 - grassland, 3 - agricultural areas, 4 - coniferous forest, 5 - broadleaf forest and 6 - mixed forest.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2010-2011 Landsat imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract
Full record

Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2011-2012 Landsat imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area - Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on the ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and to collect the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. Landsat multispectral imagery for 2011 and 2012 and Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) classification data derived from 2012 were used to produce this dataset. The LULC changes include vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances, such as infrastructure related to oil and gas exploration, forestry and agriculture, and vegetation recovery from these disturbances. This digital data release contains the vegetation recovery data from 2011 to 2012, classified into 6 classes: 1 - shrub land, 2 - grassland, 3 - agricultural areas, 4 - coniferous forest, 5 - broadleaf forest and 6 - mixed forest.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2011-2012 Landsat imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract
Full record

Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2012-2013 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area - Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on the ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and to collect the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. Landsat multispectral imagery for 2012 and 2013 and Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) classification data derived from 2013 were used to produce this dataset. The LULC changes include vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances, such as infrastructure related to oil and gas exploration, forestry and agriculture, and vegetation recovery from these disturbances. This digital data release contains the vegetation recovery data from 2012 to 2013, classified into 6 classes: 1 - shrub land, 2 - grassland, 3 - agricultural areas, 4 - coniferous forest, 5 - broadleaf forest and 6 - mixed forest.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Annual Vegetation Recovery Classification Results in the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2012-2013 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract
Full record

Answers to your questions: Industry's information needs as perceived by Syncrude

Authors Bik, M.
Year of Publication: 1975

Citation:
Bik, M. (1975).  Answers to your questions: Industry's information needs as perceived by Syncrude. 9 pages .
Full record

AOSTRA technical handbook on oil sands bitumens and heavy oils

Authors Hepler, L. G., & Hsi C.
Year of Publication: 1989

Citation:
Hepler, L. G., & Hsi C. (1989).  AOSTRA technical handbook on oil sands bitumens and heavy oils. 376 pages .
Full record

AOSTRA: A 15 year portfolio of achievement

Authors
Year of Publication: 1990

Abstract:
The Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority (AOSTRA) is an Alberta Crown corporation that funds and coordinates technology development and dissemination in the fields of oil sands, heavy oil, and enhanced recovery technologies. This book describes the history and mandate of AOSTRA, its principles of operation, and its guidelines for research and development. It then reviews AOSTRA activities and achievements over the first 15 years of the Authority's history in the fields of oil sands/heavy oil recovery, petroleum processing, waste treatment and environmental protection, and various research and technology initiatives such as its university program, cooperation with research councils and industry institutes, information services, and technology transfer in other countries. Read less

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1990).  AOSTRA: A 15 year portfolio of achievement. (Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority, Ed.). 176 pages . Abstract
Full record

Application by Suncor Energy Inc. Oil Sands Group for amendment of Approval No. 7632 for proposed Steepbank Mine development

Authors Alberta Energy and Utilites Board
Year of Publication: 1997

Citation:
Alberta Energy and Utilites Board (1997).  Application by Suncor Energy Inc. Oil Sands Group for amendment of Approval No. 7632 for proposed Steepbank Mine development. 11 pages .
Full record

Application by Syncrude Canada Ltd. for amendment of Approval No. 7550: Proposed Mildred Lake upgrader expansion

Authors
Year of Publication: 1999

Abstract:
Syncrude Canada Ltd. applied, pursuant to Section 14 of the Oil Sands Conservation Act, to amend Approval No. 7550 to allow for the expansion of its Mildred Lake upgrading complex, in which the proposed expansion would increase Syncrude's production of marketable hydrocarbons through the addition of a new fluid coker, a flue gas desulphurization unit, new froth treatment facilities, additional hydrotreating and sulphur recovering capabilities and associated ancillary units. Syncrude sought approval for a production scheme for the expanded facilities that would increase annual production volume to 27.5 from 15.3 million cubic m per year of marketable hydrocarbons, and removal of the annual production volume and term limits for the upgrading complex. Under a coordinated application process adopted by Alberta Environment and the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, Syncrude filed a joint application and environmental impact assessment. It also filed for an amendment to its Approval No. 26-01-00 issued under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. The issues to be considered with respect to the application are: technology - diluent recovery, bitumen conversion technology selection, and removal of production and term limits; environment - sulphur dioxide emissions from the base plant, sulphur recovery from acid gas, greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and ozone; and water management - cumulative effects. Considering all the evidence, the Boards. Considering all the evidence, the Board was prepared, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, to approve Syncrude's Application No. 980381 with conditions and requirements as referenced in this report and that will be specified in the approval

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1999).  Application by Syncrude Canada Ltd. for amendment of Approval No. 7550: Proposed Mildred Lake upgrader expansion. (Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, Ed.). 27 pages . Abstract
Full record

Application by Syncrude for the Aurora Mine

Authors
Year of Publication: 1997

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1997).  Application by Syncrude for the Aurora Mine. (Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, Ed.). 35 pages .
Full record

Application of a solar UV/chlorine advanced oxidation process to oil sands process-affected water remediation

Authors Shu, Z., Li C., Belosevic M., Bolton J. R., & Gamal El-Din M. G.
Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
The solar UV/chlorine process has emerged as a novel advanced oxidation process for industrial and municipal wastewaters. Currently, its practical application to oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) remediation has been studied to treat fresh OSPW retained in large tailings ponds, which can cause significant adverse environmental impacts on ground and surface waters in Northern Alberta, Canada. Degradation of naphthenic acids (NAs) and fluorophore organic compounds in OSPW was investigated. In a laboratory-scale UV/chlorine treatment, the NAs degradation was clearly structure-dependent and hydroxyl radical-based. In terms of the NAs degradation rate, the raw OSPW (pH ∼ 8.3) rates were higher than those at an alkaline condition (pH = 10). Under actual sunlight, direct solar photolysis partially degraded fluorophore organic compounds, as indicated by the qualitative synchronous fluorescence spectra (SFS) of the OSPW, but did not impact NAs degradation. The solar/chlorine process effectively removed NAs (75-84% removal) and fluorophore organic compounds in OSPW in the presence of 200 or 300 mg L(-1) OCl(-). The acute toxicity of OSPW toward Vibrio fischeri was reduced after the solar/chlorine treatment. However, the OSPW toxicity toward goldfish primary kidney macrophages after solar/chlorine treatment showed no obvious toxicity reduction versus that of untreated OSPW, which warrants further study for process optimization.

Citation:
Shu, Z., Li C., Belosevic M., Bolton J. R., & Gamal El-Din M. G. (2014).  Application of a solar UV/chlorine advanced oxidation process to oil sands process-affected water remediation. 48(16), 9 pages . Abstract
Full record

Application of advanced oxidation processes for treatment of naphthenic acids in oil sands process water

Authors Afzal, A.
Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
The large volume of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) produced by the oil sands industries in Northern Alberta, Canada, is an environmental concern. The toxicity of OSPW has been attributed to a complex mixture of naturally occurring acids, including naphthenic acids (NAs). NAs are a broad range of alicyclic and aliphatic compounds that are persistent in the environment. This work focused on the application of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs): UV/H2O2 and O3/H2O2 for degradation of model NA compounds and OSPW NAs. Cyclohexanoic acid (CHA) was selected as a simple model naphthenic acid, and its oxidation and byproduct formation in the UV/H2O2 and ozonation processes was studied. The results indicated that in the UV/H2O2 process, the pH had no significant effect on the degradation, nor on the formation and degradation of byproducts in ultrapure water. A real OSPW matrix had a significant impact by decreasing the CHA degradation rate up to 82% relative to that in ultrapure water. Relative rate measurements using binary mixtures of model NA compounds confirmed that reactivity favoured compounds with more carbons, and also favoured NAs with one saturated ring, relative to the corresponding linear NA. However, for model compound with three rings, no increased reactivity was observed relative to mono-cyclic NA. The mechanism of ozonation of CHA was different at pH 3 and pH 9. At pH 9, oxo-CHA and hydroxy-CHA were both detected by LC-MS/MS, confirming the hydroxyl radical (•OH) pathway in which superoxide CHA radical is a possible intermediate. The results of the O3/H2O2 advanced oxidation process of OSPW NAs showed that in a semi-batch system, approximately 90% of extractable organic acids of OSPW were removed using O3/H2O2 process with 85 mg/L of O3 and O3 to H2O2 ratio of 0.3.

Citation:
Afzal, A. (2013).  Application of advanced oxidation processes for treatment of naphthenic acids in oil sands process water. 203 pages . Abstract
Full record

Application of block modelling to Suncor tailings characterisation

Authors Wells, S. P., & Guo C.
Year of Publication: 2008

Citation:
Wells, S. P., & Guo C. (2008).  Application of block modelling to Suncor tailings characterisation. 8 pages .
Full record

Application of coagulation-flocculation process for treating oil sands process-affected water

Authors Wang, Y.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
Oil Sands Process-Affected Water (OSPW) is generated from oil sands operation processes such as mining, extraction, and upgrading. Currently, accumulated OSPW is temporarily stored in tailings ponds which are toxic to the environment and must be treated for either reuse or safe discharge in the future. In this project, coagulation-flocculation as a conventional physico-chemical treatment process was investigated to remove suspended solids and some organic carbons from OSPW. Aluminum sulfate (alum) and ferric sulfate were studied as coagulants in bench-scale experiments using jar-test apparatus, in combination with selected coagulant aids including cationic, anionic and non-ionic polymers. Experiments were carried out to optimize jar-test operating conditions for each coagulant. Based on the results, more than 96% total suspended solids were removed from OSPW after treatment.

Citation:
Wang, Y. (2011).  Application of coagulation-flocculation process for treating oil sands process-affected water. 133 pages . Abstract
Full record

Application of copula modelling to the performance assessment of reconstructed watersheds

Authors Nazemi, A., & Elshorbagy A.
Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
The existence of interdependence among environmental variables has been qualitatively known for centuries. Recent studies have shown that copula modelling can provide a simple, yet powerful framework for modelling interdependence among hydrological data; however, still there are several studies which use outdated and superficial methods to perform this task. By considering the current state of knowledge, this study tries to introduce a pragmatic procedure to perform copula modelling in real-world problems. Our study uses copula modelling to find a notion for conditional quantities of the maximum annual water deficit with respect to the annual cumulative evapotranspiration. Therefore, by having an estimate for the annual cumulative evapotranspiration, the hydrological performance of the reconstructed watershed can be assessed even in nearby ungauged reconstructed watersheds with similar physical characteristics and reclamation strategy. Several competitive models are developed for joint description of these variables in a prototype reclaimed oil-sands mining site in northern Alberta, Canada. The developed joint models are compared and analyzed according to their convergence feasibility, overall accuracy, tail behaviour and a goodness-of-fit test. Our study concludes that copula modelling can be considered as a powerful option in practitioners' toolkit. For the case under consideration, the Gumbel-Houguaard structure provides the most credible model of dependence. Moreover, our study provides some initial supports for the application of minimum distance methods for copula parameter estimation.[

Citation:
Nazemi, A., & Elshorbagy A. (2012).  Application of copula modelling to the performance assessment of reconstructed watersheds. 26(2), 16 pages . Abstract
Full record

Application of dewatering technologies in production of robust non-segregating tailings

Authors Nik, R. M.
Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
One of the current technologies used by the oil sands industry to reduce the volume of fluid fine tailings and create a dry landscape is production of CT (Composite Tailings) and NST (Non-Segregating Tailings). CT and NST are engineered tailings streams obtained by recombination of fines (MFT or TT) and coarse tailings (sand) plus a chemical amendment. If produced on-spec, the main advantage of CT/NST would be its improved dewatering behavior and rapid release of relatively clear water during the hindered settling and self-weight consolidation, while a majority of the fine particles are entrapped within the matrix of its coarser fraction (sand). Production of a robust CT/NST at a commercial scale has been a challenge for the industry. While CT/NST has been expected to be non-segregating when discharged, partial segregation and release and re-suspension of the fines has been observed following deposition. To produce a robust CT/NST and reduce its susceptibility to segregation, the yield stress of the carrier fluid (i.e. fines + water) must be enhanced. This can be achieved by increasing the solids content of CT/NST. The present research reviewed the different methods of solid-liquid separation and experimentally investigated the possible application of some of these methods for improving the quality of CT/NST. A major part of this research was focused on dewatering of MFT and using it as a component for making CT/NST. A batch filtering centrifuge was utilized to dewater MFT samples received from three different operators and the major factors affecting the process of centrifugal filtration were investigated. The resultant dewatered MFT samples were mixed with a mixture of sand and pond water to produce CT/NST with higher solids content. The depositional behaviour and robustness of the produced CT/NST samples were investigated using a flume apparatus. The flow profile and variations of solids content and SFR (Sand to Fines Ratio) were identified for each deposition test, also the yield stress of the CT/NST samples was evaluated using a strain-controlled viscometer and vane spindles. The results of this study indicate that using dewatered MFT promotes production of robust CT/NST streams achieved with lower dosage of chemical additives.

Citation:
Nik, R. M. (2013).  Application of dewatering technologies in production of robust non-segregating tailings. 293 pages . Abstract
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Application of federal legislation to Alberta's mineable oil sands

Authors Howlett, M., & Craft J.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Howlett, M., & Craft J. (2013).  Application of federal legislation to Alberta's mineable oil sands.
Full record

Application of forward osmosis membrane technology for oil sands process-affected water desalination

Authors Jiang, Y., & Liu Y.
Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
The extraction process used to obtain bitumen from the oil sands produces large volumes of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). As a newly emerging desalination technology, forward osmosis (FO) has shown great promise in saving electrical power requirements, increasing water recovery, and minimizing brine discharge. With the support of this funding, a treatment system was constructed using a cellulose triacetate (CTA) forward osmosis membrane to test the feasibility of OSPW desalination and contaminant removal. The forward osmosis systems were optimized using different types and concentrations of draw solution. The forward osmosis system using 4M NH4HCO3 as a draw solution achieved 85% water recovery from OSPW, and 80% to 100% contaminant rejection for most metals and ions. A water backwash cleaning method was applied to clean the fouled membrane, and the cleaned membrane achieved 77% water recovery, a performance comparable to that of new forward osmosis membranes. This suggests that the membrane fouling was reversible. The forward osmosis system developed in this project provides a novel and energy efficient strategy to remediate the tailings waters generated by oil sands bitumen extraction and processing.

Citation:
Jiang, Y., & Liu Y. (2014).  Application of forward osmosis membrane technology for oil sands process-affected water desalination. 27 pages . Abstract
Full record

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