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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.

Challenges in analysis of natural surfactants in the oil sands processing water

Authors Ma, Y.
Year of Publication: 2012

Citation:
Ma, Y. (2012).  Challenges in analysis of natural surfactants in the oil sands processing water. 85 pages .
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Changes in algal stable isotopes following nutrient and peat amendments in oil sands aquatic reclamation (PO)

Authors Farwell, A., Chen H., Boutsivongskad M., & Dixon D. G.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
The processing of oil sands in Alberta generates large volumes of processed material that must be reclaimed. Processed water and solids (PW/S) contain higher levels of naturally occurring compounds such as naphthenic acids (NAs) and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). Organic carbon and nitrogen are some of the constituents in PW/S that may provide nutrient sources for aquatic reclamation sites as they develop into viable ecosystems. This study was conducted to assess the modifying factors that may affect the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values of primary production in oil sands aquatic reclamation. Both field-based microcosm studies and laboratory studies were used to evaluate the changes in the growth and stable isotope values of phytoplankton, periphyton and/or filamentous algae along gradients of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), nitrogen and phosphorus. Various types of reclamation substrates were used in the study, including various combinations of sand, mature fine tailings, peat and process water. Results showed different levels of growth depending on both the water and substrate type. Typically, periphyton from oil sands reclamation sites were more enriched in 15N than the reference site. Periphyton from one site known as the MP site was more enriched in 13C than periphyton from another site know as the Shallow Wetland South Ditch (SWSD). However, periphyton in the demonstration pond (DP) was more 13C depleted than the reference site. Findings from this study indicate that carbon isotopes are influenced by other factors, such as nutrients.

Citation:
Farwell, A., Chen H., Boutsivongskad M., & Dixon D. G. (2011).  Changes in algal stable isotopes following nutrient and peat amendments in oil sands aquatic reclamation (PO). Abstract
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Changes in fish community composition and fish health in the lower Athabasca region: A review of historical and current data

Authors Schwalb, A. N., & Rasmussen J.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Schwalb, A. N., & Rasmussen J. (2013).  Changes in fish community composition and fish health in the lower Athabasca region: A review of historical and current data. 1 page .
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Changes in morphology and riparian vegetation following flow regulation, Peace River, 1968 and 1993

Authors Church, M., & Xu J.
Year of Publication: 1997

Abstract:
This project was to determine the changes in morphology and riparian vegetation that have occurred in the Alberta reaches of Peace River by constructing maps of river morphology and principal riparian vegetation communities from air photographs taken at various dates. The intention is to complete maps at 5 dates, including 1950, so that pre-regulation changes can be measured. Mapping was completed in 4 major reaches, totalling some 612 km of the 1050 km course of the river in Alberta. The maps were constructed in an analytical stereoplotter and the files exported to a GIS for manipulation and map production. In addition field work was undertaken in 1994 to provide ground truth for interpreting the vegetation communities. At this writing, the maps have been completed for 1968 and 1993, so changes that have occurred over the 25 years of regulation can be summarised (the 1968 coverage is actually constructed from available photography taken in several years near the nominal date). Each complete set of maps comprises 40 sheets at 1:20 000 that approximately correspond with the Alberta digital topographic mapping In addition, extended vegetation mapping was provided on the 1993 maps to show the valleyside vegetation beyond the riparian zone. Morphological changes have been summarised in 31 subreaches of 10 to 25 km length, which reasonably samples the riffle/pool scale along the river. River morphology has been summarised in six major elements, water surface, unvegetated bar surface, vegetated bar surface, island surface, floodplain surface, and tributary alluvial fans within the floodplain. Changes amongst all combinations of these features are available between each date of mapping. Changes during the 25 years since regulation have included substantial narrowing of the river in major reaches 1 and 3 (the proximal gravel-bed reach and the proximal sand-bed reach), but much less narrowing in the remaining two reaches. Most of Reach 2 was formerly confined and this probably limits the adjustment that will occur. Reach 4, in the Slave Lowland, has different morphology which preconditions less rapid adjustment. Where adjustments have occurred they have dominantly been achieved by riparian vegetation succession onto abandoned bartops and into abandoned side channels. Hence the adjustment process thus far has largely been passive and has depended in a significant way upon riparian succession. The dominant pattern of riparian succession has been the establishment of scattered shrubs and grasses on the upstream gravel bar surfaces but, once sand becomes trapped on the bartop a continuous shrub cover develops. Downstream, banded galleries of shrubs have established on bar surfaces surrounding old island cores. The changes are most extensive in areas with substantial island development where the river always has been least stable. These are places where bed material is transiently stored on its way down the river. They will remain the sites of main instability and will ensure some renewal o f the early, allogenic plant succession.

Citation:
Church, M., & Xu J. (1997).  Changes in morphology and riparian vegetation following flow regulation, Peace River, 1968 and 1993. (Northern River Basins Study (Canada), Ed.). 89 pages . Abstract  Download: 0-662-24621-7.pdf (8.74 MB)
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Characteristics of natural slopes in the Athabasca oil sands

Authors Dusseault, M. B., & Morgenstern N. R.
Year of Publication: 1978

Abstract:
The Athabasca Oil Sands are largely within the McMurray Formation, which is a transgressive blanket quartz sand of Lower Cretaceous age. Millennia of erosion have resulted in extensive exposures of oil sand along river valleys in the vicinity of Fort McMurray. Study of these slopes has contributed to understanding the nature and behavior of oil sands. Oil sand slopes with active toe erosion are characteristically high and steep (up to 70 m at slopes over 50°), have an indurated outer face and display a stress–relief exfoliation joint system that controls slope recession phenomena. Bitumen does not contribute mechanically to slope stability. The major agents affecting slope morphology are the lithology, the aspect and the basal stratigraphy. Ravelling along exfoliation fractures is the major failure mode, block falls are a minor failure mode and rotational landslides have not been observed. Remolded oil sand may flow viscously, but intact oil sand displays an unusually high strength.

Citation:
Dusseault, M. B., & Morgenstern N. R. (1978).  Characteristics of natural slopes in the Athabasca oil sands. 15(2), 13 pages . Abstract
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Characterization and pattern recognition of oil–sand naphthenic acids using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Authors Hao, C., Headley J. V., Peru K. M., Frank R., Yang P., & Solomon K. R.
Year of Publication: 2005

Abstract:
Oil–sand naphthenic acids (NAs) are organic wastes produced during the oil–sand digestion and extraction processes and are very difficult to separate and analyze as individual components due to their complex compositions. A comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time of flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC/TOF–MS) system was applied for the characterization of two commercial mixtures of naphthenic acids (Fluka and Acros) and a naphthenic acid sample extracted from the Syncrude tailings. Contour plots of chromatographic distributions of different Z homologous series of the Fluka, Acros and Syncrude NAs were constructed using fragment ions that were characteristic of the NA's molecular structures. Well-ordered patterns were observed for NAs of Z = 0 and −2 which corresponded to acyclic acids and monocyclic acids, respectively. For NAs of Z = −4, −6, and −8, specific zones were observed which would allow the pattern recognition of these NAs obtained from different origins. As expected, gas chromatographic retention times increase with the number of the carbons and the number of rings in the molecules. Little signal was obtained for NAs with Z numbers of −10, or lower. Deconvoluted mass spectra of various NA isomers were derived from the reconstructed GC × GC chromatogram, permitting detailed structural elucidations for NAs in the future. The current study demonstrated that the combination of GC × GC and the TOF–MS is a powerful to identify origins of the NAs in an effective manner. GC × GC/TOF–MS alone, however, may not be enough to characterize each individual isomer in a complex mixture such as NAs. The use of mass deconvolution software followed by library search have thus become necessary to separate and study the mass spectrum of each individual NA component, allowing a detailed identification of the toxic components within the NAs mixture.

Citation:
Hao, C., Headley J. V., Peru K. M., Frank R., Yang P., & Solomon K. R. (2005).  Characterization and pattern recognition of oil–sand naphthenic acids using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry. 1067, 7 pages . Abstract
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Characterization and quantification of mining-related "naphthenic acids" in groundwater near a major oil sands tailings pond

Authors Ahad, J. M. E., Pakdel H., Savard M. M., Calderhead A. I., Gammon P. R., Rivera A., et al.
Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
The high levels of acid extractable organics (AEOs) containing naphthenic acids (NAs) found in oil sands process-affected waters (OSPW) are a growing concern in monitoring studies of aquatic ecosystems in the Athabasca oil sands region. The complexity of these compounds has substantially hindered their accurate analysis and quantification. Using a recently developed technique which determines the intramolecular carbon isotope signature of AEOs generated by online pyrolysis (δ13Cpyr), natural abundance radiocarbon, and high resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry analyses, we evaluated the sources of AEOs along a groundwater flow path from a major oil sands tailings pond to the Athabasca River. OSPW was characterized by a δ13Cpyr value of approximately −21‰ and relatively high proportions of O2 and O2S species classes. In contrast, AEO samples located furthest down-gradient from the tailings pond and from the Athabasca River were characterized by a δ13Cpyr value of around −29‰, a greater proportion of highly oxygenated and N-containing compound classes, and a significant component of nonfossil and, hence, non-bitumen-derived carbon. The groundwater concentrations of mining-related AEOs determined using a two end-member isotopic mass balance were between 1.6 and 9.3 mg/L lower than total AEO concentrations, implying that a less discriminating approach to quantification would have overestimated subsurface levels of OSPW. This research highlights the need for accurate characterization of “naphthenic acids” in order to quantify potential seepage from tailings ponds.

Citation:
Ahad, J. M. E., Pakdel H., Savard M. M., Calderhead A. I., Gammon P. R., Rivera A., et al. (2013).  Characterization and quantification of mining-related "naphthenic acids" in groundwater near a major oil sands tailings pond. 47(10), 7 pages . Abstract
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Characterization and treatment of emissions from a mining oil sands complex

Authors
Year of Publication: 1983

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1983).  Characterization and treatment of emissions from a mining oil sands complex. (Monenco Consultants Limited, Ed.).
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Characterization and upgrading of a rutile concentrate produced from the oil sands tailings

Authors Chachula, F.
Year of Publication: 2002

Citation:
Chachula, F. (2002).  Characterization and upgrading of a rutile concentrate produced from the oil sands tailings.
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Characterization and utilization of peat in the oil sands area

Authors Lindsay, J. D., & McGill W. B.
Year of Publication: 1976

Citation:
Lindsay, J. D., & McGill W. B. (1976).  Characterization and utilization of peat in the oil sands area. 20 pages .
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Characterization of aerobic methane oxidizing bacteria in oil sands tailings ponds

Authors Saidi-Mehrabad, A.
Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
The current study for the first time investigated the potential methane oxidation capacity of the surface layers of oil sands tailing ponds in Alberta, which are anthropogenic methane sources. This research by the aid of recently developed molecular analysis tools such as 16S rRNA gene pyrotag sequencing, Stable Isotope Probing, 16S rRNA and pmoA gene sequence analysis highlighted the presence of methanotrophic bacteria (mainly Gammaproteobacteria), in these tailings ponds, with potential methane oxidation activity ranging from 75.6 – 135.6 nmol CH4 ml-1 d-1. 16S rRNA pyrotag sequencing and construction of phylogenetic trees detected OTUs affiliated to the genus Methylocaldum present in all sampling sites and times (July/2011- December/2011). Later investigations resulted in the isolation of a novel strain dubbed “Methylobacter oleiharenae”, which is able to thrive at optimum pH of 8 and contains 729 specific genes not detected in closely related reference methanotroph strains.

Citation:
Saidi-Mehrabad, A. (2014).  Characterization of aerobic methane oxidizing bacteria in oil sands tailings ponds. Abstract
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Characterization of ambient air quality in the oil sands area of northern Alberta

Authors Wade, K. S., Brown S. G., & Roberts P. T.
Year of Publication: 2007

Abstract:
Sonoma Technology Inc. (STI) analyzed ambient air quality data collected through the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) monitoring program between 2000 and 2005 at numerous sites in the oil sands area of northern Alberta, Canada and detailed their study in this report. During this time period, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo saw rapid increases in population growth due to large expansion of oil sands mining and refining operations (Wood Buffalo Municipal Census, 2006). To understand the impacts on air quality in the area, a number of criteria and other pollutants were measured at 12 sites: ozone, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), continuous and 24-hr filter PM2.5, 24-hr filter PM10, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and 24-hr volatile organic compounts (VOCs). Most pollutants showed high temporal variability, indicating the importance of nearby sources at a given monitoring site. High PM2.5 concentrations were nearly all caused by regional and local wildfires and other burning events. In the winter, when concentrations of PM2.5 and other pollutants would be expected to increase due to the development of stable inversion layers as seen in many other locations, concentrations of PM2.5 and other species are not significantly higher, indicating wintertime inversions do not strongly influence high concentrations. NOx concentrations significantly increased between 2001 and 2005 at Albian Mine, Fort Chipewyan, Patricia McInness, and Millennium Mine. SO2 concentrations at industrial monitoris increased, while SO2 concentrations at population-oriented monitors did not ch ange significantly. High ozone concentration events occurred at only a few sites; in some areas it is common to see local ozone formation or titration impacting an individual site in addition to the regional, photochemically driven signature (Banta et al., 2005; Daum et al., 2003; Kleinman et al., 1997; 1998; Murphy and Allen, 2005; Trainer et al., 2000). Prncipal component analysis (PCA) was conducted on VOC data. Mobile sources typically accounted fro the greatest variance. Non-mobile sources of benzene, trimethylbenzenes, and toluene were evident and are likely from the oil sands operations. Solvent usage from industrial operations was also identified; typically, these solvent factors account for 20% of the variance.

Citation:
Wade, K. S., Brown S. G., & Roberts P. T. (2007).  Characterization of ambient air quality in the oil sands area of northern Alberta. Abstract
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Characterization of an Athabasca oil sand ore and process streams

Authors Kaminsky, H. A. W.
Year of Publication: 2008

Citation:
Kaminsky, H. A. W. (2008).  Characterization of an Athabasca oil sand ore and process streams.
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Characterization of aquatic uses within the Peace, Athabasca and Slave Rivers

Authors MacLock, B. R., & Thompson J. P.
Year of Publication: 1996

Citation:
MacLock, B. R., & Thompson J. P. (1996).  Characterization of aquatic uses within the Peace, Athabasca and Slave Rivers. (Northern River Basins Study (Canada), Ed.).  Download: 0-662-23659-4-store.pdf (33.31 MB)
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Characterization of Athabasca oil sands froth treatment tailings for heavy mineral recovery

Authors Liu, Q., & Etsell T. H.
Year of Publication: 2006

Abstract:
Titanium (Ti) and zirconium (Zr) minerals (heavy minerals) in the Athabasca oil sands are concentrated in the bitumen froth treatment tailings during the hot water bitumen extraction operations. Recovery processes for these minerals have been explored since the 1970s, yet there is still no established process flowsheet to economically recover these minerals. We recently carried out a research project based on the knowledge of these previous studies. The objective of the project was to study the effect of residual bitumen removal methods from the froth treatment tailings on the separation characteristics of the heavy minerals contained in the tailings. The work reported in this paper is part of the project and it concerns the characterization of the froth treatment tailings. It was found that, rather than burning it off, the residual bitumen in the froth treatment tailings is worth recovering. Separation properties of the heavy minerals contained in the froth treatment tailings were studied by chemical assays, particle size-assay analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements, gravity and magnetic separation, mineralogical analysis and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis coupled with energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis.

Citation:
Liu, Q., & Etsell T. H. (2006).  Characterization of Athabasca oil sands froth treatment tailings for heavy mineral recovery. 85(5-6), 7 pages . Abstract
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Characterization of clay minerals in the Athabasca oil sands in water extraction and nonaqueous solvent extraction processes

Authors Hooshiar Fard, M. A.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
Production of oil from the second largest oil deposit in the world, i.e., the Alberta oil sands containing approximately 13% of total proven oil reserves in the world (169.9 billion barrels), has been shown to be significantly influenced by clay minerals. Clay minerals in particular play a key role in the settling behaviour of massive amounts of aqueous tailings resulting from water-based bitumen extraction. A nonaqueous extraction process is of special interest to extract bitumen from oil sands due to its potential advantages, such as high bitumen recovery even from low grade oil sands ores and the elimination of slow settling, sludge tailings ponds with stable suspensions. While clay minerals have been characterized in water-based bitumen extraction from the oil sands to some extent, the gap of knowledge in the characterization of clay minerals in a nonaqueous bitumen extraction process has led to the current research. A nonaqueous bitumen extraction process was established where only toluene and heptane, with no water additions, were used to extract bitumen from oil sands ore samples. Bitumen recovery and product quality were studied under different process conditions, such as the ratio of toluene to heptane and settling time. Bitumen recovery was found to be insensitive to the characteristics of the oil sands ores, such as processability and fines content, although the high fines ore sample was more sensitive to the extraction conditions. A product with high purity, containing more than 99.5 wt% bitumen on a solvent-free basis, was produced at room temperature under the optimum extraction conditions tested. Quantitative x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed an enrichment of kaolinite in the extraction products (froth stream in water-based extraction and supernatant in nonaqueous extraction) when compared with the ore. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) investigations showed the presence of monolayer discrete smectitic clay minerals (not detectable by XRD). Illite-smectite expandability results calculated from HRTEM data have made it possible to explain the extraordinarily high surface activity in the primary froth stream. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations showed some important features (clay-organic aggregates) which affect the settling behaviour of the solids after nonaqueous extraction.

Citation:
Hooshiar Fard, M. A. (2011).  Characterization of clay minerals in the Athabasca oil sands in water extraction and nonaqueous solvent extraction processes. 150 pages . Abstract
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Characterization of complex naphthenic acid mixtures and their microbial transformation by capillary HPLC/QTOF-MS

Authors Bataineh, M., Han X., Fedorak P., Scott A. C., & Martin J.
Year of Publication: 2007

Citation:
Bataineh, M., Han X., Fedorak P., Scott A. C., & Martin J. (2007).  Characterization of complex naphthenic acid mixtures and their microbial transformation by capillary HPLC/QTOF-MS. (Dixon, D. G., Munro, S., Nimi, A.J., Ed.). 23 pages .
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Characterization of insoluble organic matter associated with non-settling clay minerals from Syncrude sludge pond tailings

Authors Majid, A., Sparks B. D., & Ripmeester J. A.
Year of Publication: 1990

Abstract:
Hot water extraction of bitumen from Alberta oil sands generates large quantities of tailings slurry. The fine grained sludge component of this waste is the most troublesome because of its stability and poor compaction potential. Dispersed bitumen, and organic matter that is insoluble in common solvents (IOM), are associated with the fines contained in these clay slimes. This organic matter is believed to be partly responsible for the intractability of the sludge, and it could therefore play an important role in determining the behavioural characteristics of oil sands slimes. In this investigation the settling behaviour of the sludge was studied after removal of emulsified bitumen by an oil phase agglomeration technique. After partial removal of bitumen the sludge was fractionated into settling and non-settling fractions. The insoluble organic matter associated with the clay fines present in the non-settling portion of sludge was concentrated by dissolving the mineral matter in . These fractions were analysed using elemental analysis and solid state 13C n.m.r. spectroscopy. The elemental analyses were discussed in terms of a van Krevelen diagram by plotting atomic ratios against atomic ratios. N.m.r. data were used to calculate the aromaticities of the various organic fractions. Based on the n.m.r. data, it is suggested that the IOM associated with sludge solids is derived from the parent oil sand feed.

Citation:
Majid, A., Sparks B. D., & Ripmeester J. A. (1990).  Characterization of insoluble organic matter associated with non-settling clay minerals from Syncrude sludge pond tailings. 69(2), 5 pages . Abstract
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Characterization of mature fine tailings in the context of its response to chemical treatment

Authors Salehi, M.
Year of Publication: 2010

Abstract:
Continuous accumulation of Mature Fine Tailings (MFT) is a major challenge to oil sands industry. To reduce the inventory of MFT through development of novel tailings treatment technologies, it is essential to understand the stabilization mechanism of fine solids in MFT. This project aims at characterizing fine solids of MFT. A novel method is developed in this study to understand characteristics of fine solids in MFT by studying their response to the changes in water chemistry and chemical treatment. Settling and rheological response of MFT to chemical additives is determined. Combined with solids characterization of the different layers of settled MFT, an enhanced understanding of stabilization of fine solids in MFT is gained. The knowledge generated through this study will provide a scientific basis for technology development of MFT treatment.

Citation:
Salehi, M. (2010).  Characterization of mature fine tailings in the context of its response to chemical treatment. 101 pages . Abstract
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Characterization of naphthenic acids in oil sands wastewaters by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Authors Holowenko, F. M., MacKinnon M. D., & Fedorak P. M.
Year of Publication: 2002

Abstract:
The water produced during the extraction of bitumen from oil sands is toxic to aquatic organisms due largely to a group of naturally occurring organic acids, naphthenic acids (NAs), that are solubilized from the bitumen during processing. NAs are a complex mixture of alkyl-substituted acyclic and cycloaliphatic carboxylic acids, with the general chemical formula CnH2n+ZO2, where n is the carbon number and Z specifies a homologous family. Gas chromatography-electron impact mass spectrometry was used to characterize NAs in nine water samples derived from oil sands extraction processes. For each sample, the analysis provided the relative abundances for up to 156 base peaks, with each representing at least one NA structure. Plotting the relative abundances of NAs as three-dimensional bar graphs showed differences among samples. The relative abundance of NAs with carbon numbers ⩽21 to those in the “C22+cluster” (sum of all NAs with carbon numbers ⩾22 in Z families 0 to −12) proved useful for comparing the water samples that had a range of toxicities. A decrease in toxicity of process-affected waters accompanied an increase in the proportion of NAs in the “C22+cluster”, likely caused by biodegradation of NAs with carbon numbers of ⩽21. In addition, an increase in the proportion of NAs in the “C22+cluster” accompanied a decrease in the total NAs in the process-affected waters, again suggesting the selective removal of NAs with carbon numbers of ⩽21. This is the first investigation in which changes in the fingerprint of the NA fraction of process-affected waters from the oil sands operations has corresponded with measured toxicity in these waters.

Citation:
Holowenko, F. M., MacKinnon M. D., & Fedorak P. M. (2002).  Characterization of naphthenic acids in oil sands wastewaters by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. 36(11), 12 pages . Abstract
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Characterization of oil sand resources. Report on the activities concerning Annex 1 of the U.S.-Canada Cooperative Agreement on Tar Sands and Heavy Oil.

Authors Wallace, D., Starr J., Thomas K. P., & Dorrence S. M.
Year of Publication: 1988

Abstract:
Under the terms of Annex I of the U.S.-Canada Cooperative Agreement on Tar Sand and Heavy Oil the organizational and laboratory work leading to the development of a physical properties data base has been completed. The data base will be a vehicle for the transfer of information about tar sand and heavy oil between participants of the agreement and to the public. Information required for complete geological and engineering descriptions of tar sand and heavy oil deposits has been identified. Geological descriptions of the Athabasca and Asphalt Ridge deposits have been prepared. However, little information about many of the engineering properties, such as magnitude and direction of minimum and maximum permeabilities, is available in the literature. The data base will, in its early stages, contain little engineering data. A computerized data base, developed at the Alberta Research Council, includes information on the visual examination of whole oil sand and determination of physical and chemical properties of whole oil sand and bitumen. Data from cooperative studies sponsored by the Alberta Committee on Oil Sands Analysis and the Phillips Petroleum Company were used to estimate the precision of data in the open literature that woUld be eritered into the data base. These studies showed that systematic errors during analysis (ie. lack of agreement between laboratories for properties o f a single. sample)lack of agreement between laboratories for properties o f a single. sample) will seriously diminish the significance of a single data point in the data base. ThIs type of data can best be used to estimate the typical properties of a deposit. In an attempt to identify spme of the reasons for variations in analytical data and to resolve discrepancies, the Western, Research Institute and the Alberta Research Council exchanged samples of oil sand from the Asphalt Ridge and Athabasca deposits. They were able to provide equivalent data for most properties, the exceptions being elehlel1tal ,carbon, carbon residue, relative density (15°C/15°C), and C5 ashphaltenes. A difference in methods for extracting test samples of bitumen was identified as being a potential contributor to differences in the bitumen properties. In. subsequent studies at the Alberta Research Council, failure to correct for entrained isolids and. residual solvent, which was related to sample preparation, was confirmed to be a major source of discrepancy between the two laboratories' data. In addition, the level of ashphaltenes was significantly affected by prolonged exposure to heat and selective adsorption on cellulose thimbles in the extraction apparatus. A final exchange of bitumen samples prepared at the Alberta Research Council indicated that discrepancies changed with the capabilities of the laboratories. It appears that the systematic errors that contribute to these discrepancies can only be controlled or at least minimized through the use of secondary standards.

Citation:
Wallace, D., Starr J., Thomas K. P., & Dorrence S. M. (1988).  Characterization of oil sand resources. Report on the activities concerning Annex 1 of the U.S.-Canada Cooperative Agreement on Tar Sands and Heavy Oil.. 50 pages . Abstract
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Characterization of oil sands fluid coke

Authors Har, S. H. -kin
Year of Publication: 1981

Citation:
Har, S. H. -kin (1981).  Characterization of oil sands fluid coke. 132 pages .
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Characterization of oil sands fly ash

Authors Jang, H.
Year of Publication: 2004

Citation:
Jang, H. (2004).  Characterization of oil sands fly ash.
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Characterization of oil sands mineral components and clay-organic complexes

Authors Axelson, D. E., Mikula R. J., & Potoczny Z. M.
Year of Publication: 1989

Abstract:
Differences in oil sands processability and extraction yields can be dependent upon many factors including the composition of the mineral components and the organic complexes that are associated with certain minerals. These mineral-organic associations help provide the bridge which leads to carry over of bitumen with the tailings as well as carry over of water and mineral matter with the product. The nature of the organic component of clay-organic complexes extracted from various streams in an oil sands recovery process is discussed in relation to the stability of both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions formed. These samples have been studied with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as veil as with other techniques such as interfacial tension measurements.

Citation:
Axelson, D. E., Mikula R. J., & Potoczny Z. M. (1989).  Characterization of oil sands mineral components and clay-organic complexes. 75(5-6), 24 pages . Abstract
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Characterization of oil sands process-affected water using fluorescence technology

Authors Ewanchuk, A. M.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
Fluorescence technology was examined as an analytical tool for identifying naphthenic acids in process-affected water. The fluorescence signal from process-affected water was narrowed down to the extractable organic acid fraction, known to contain naphthenic acids. A characteristic intensity peak was observed in a consistent location in the emission spectrum when scanned at 280nm excitation wavelength for water obtained from three oil sands operations. The signals obtained for each water source exhibited similar shapes but varied by intensity. The intensity observed was compared to naphthenic acid concentration determined by the industry standard analytical method. When examined individually there was a strong linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and concentration for the water sources. Models developed using the parallel factor analysis method found that process-affected water from each oil sand operation had five fluorescent species which contributed to the overall signal, and that the species were similar between process-affected water from each company.

Citation:
Ewanchuk, A. M. (2011).  Characterization of oil sands process-affected water using fluorescence technology. 122 pages . Abstract
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