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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.

Draft genome sequences of Campylobacterales (Epsilonproteobacteria) obtained from methanogenic oil sands tailings pond metagenomes

Authors Tan, B. F., & Foght J.
Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
Draft genome sequences of two Campylobacterales (Sulfurospirillum sp. strain SCADC and Sulfuricurvum sp. strain MLSB [Mildred Lake Settling Basin]) were obtained by taxonomic binning of metagenomes originating from an oil sands tailings pond. Both genomes contain soxABXYZ genes involved in sulfur oxidation, highlighting their potential roles in sulfur cycling in oil sands tailings ponds.

Drilling waste management: Option evaluation for the SAGD oil sands industry

Authors McBride, S. W.
Year of Publication: 2006

Abstract:
The Athabasca oil sands contain the second largest oil deposit in the world. The new in-situ extraction process known as Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) utilizes drilling rigs to install SAGD well bores into the oil sands reservoir. The drilling process produces drilled sand which is classified as a waste that contains a hydrocarbon concentration of up to 18% by weight. The drilling of one well pair generates approximately 500 tonnes of drilled sand. Current disposal methods will place an enormous strain on the Class II landfill systems, transportation corridors and social infrastructure. The goal of this research was to determine the most sustainable treatment option for the management of drilled sand in terms of social, economic, and environmental considerations. The results indicate that bitumen can be recovered from drilled sand and the drilled sand can also be used as a base material for cold mix asphalt.

Drought tolerance characteristics of black spruce (Picea mariana) seedlings in relation to sodium sulfate and sodium chloride injury

Year of Publication: 2002

Abstract:
This study examined the feasibility of using water relations to screen black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) planting stock for salt tolerance, prior to planting in saline oil sands tailings. To do so, water relations parameters were derived from pressure–volume curves for individual seedlings prior to salt stress treatments. Pressure–volume curves were constructed for branches removed from the seedlings and the seedlings were subsequently treated with 60 mM NaCl, 120 mM NaCl, or 90 mM Na2SO4 in solution culture. After 2 weeks of treatment, seedlings treated with NaCl solutions had greater needle electrolyte leakage and visible needle injury compared with equimolar and iso-osmotic solutions of Na2SO4, suggesting that chloride played a role in needle injury. At turgor loss point, a more negative osmotic potential was significantly correlated with lower electrolyte leakage in seedlings treated with Na2SO4 but not in those treated with NaCl. The results suggest that, in contrast with NaCl, Na2SO4 injury to black spruce seedlings may be largely due to osmotic stress and that drought tolerance parameters may be more helpful in predicting salt tolerance in plants treated with Na2SO4 than in those treated with NaCl.Key words: osmotic stress, salt stress, drought tolerance, water relations, ion toxicity, black spruce.

Dry mature fine tailings as oil sands reclamation substrates for three native grasses

Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
Mature fine tailings (MFT) are a by-product of oil sands mining that must be reclaimed through capping or use as a reclamation substrate. Some chemical and physical properties of MFT make it inhospitable for plant growth, such as high concentrations of sodium, sulfate, chloride, and hydrocarbons. A greenhouse study assessed whether substrates of various mixes of dry MFT, overburden sand, and peat mineral soil mix (PMM) and caps of forest floor organic material (LFH) and PMM would support the emergence and growth of three native grass species commonly used in land reclamation. Select vegetation properties were monitored for 16 wk in the greenhouse; select chemical and physical substrate properties were determined in the laboratory. was more tolerant of dry MFT than and . Mean aboveground and belowground biomass were more than twice as high on substrates with <60% MFT than on 100% MFT. Aboveground biomass was two to four times greater with capping than without and 30% greater on LFH than PMM caps. Cover and density followed similar trends. Belowground biomass on capped substrates was at least double that on uncapped substrates. Aboveground biomass was almost doubled with the use of fertilizer. High concentrations of hydrocarbons and exchangeable ions were associated with reduced plant growth and health. Results from this study show that capping, amendments, and fertilizer may improve the reclamation potential of dry MFT.

Dynamics of moose populations in the AOSERP study area in North-eastern Alberta

Year of Publication: 1980

Abstract:
Intensive studies of moose were conducted on a 25 000 km study area in northeastern Alberta from January 1976 to June 1978. Sixty-six moose (Alces alces) were radio-collared and another eight were colour-marked only. The population is either stationary or slowly declining. An estimate of 4595 (0.18/km2) for the entire study area was obtained in the winter of 1977-78. Moose were largely absent in winter from the Birch Mountains and the jack pine area north of the Firebag River. There was a significant increase in the proportion of yearlings in the population between the winters of 1975-76, as a result of higher reproduction and/or calf survival in 1975-76. Our best estimate of the combined yearling and adult sex ratio was 30:70. There was a significant inverse relationship (r2 = 0.62) between age of radio-collared bulls and dates of antler drop. Seasonal shifts between winter and summer home ranges were made by 34 (76%) of 45 moose; 13 (38%) of these movements exceeded 20 km. No significant differences in home-range size were found between sexes and seasons. Three distinct periods of increased movement among bulls were observed; April-May, September-October, and December-January. Cow movements were more leisurely and less well-defined. Spring (May-June) calf-cow ratios among radio-collared cows >3 years old averaged 88:100. Calf production as indexed by calf-cow ratios was similar in spring (May-June) 1976 and 1978, but autumn ratios were higher in 1977 than 1976. Calves constituted 30% of the winter populations in 1975-76, 18% in 1976-77, and 20% in 1977-78. The annual survival rate of calves of radio-collared cows was 0.27. Survival of these calves was lowest in the first month of life (0.61) and rose in subsequent months (0.95). An estimated 29% of calf losses were due to wolf predation. The annual survival rate of radio-collared yearlings and adults averaged 0.75. A second estimate of 0.76 to 0.77 was obtained independently from demographic and kill data for the entire study area population in 1977-78. Hunting and wolf predation were the main causes of mortality. Wolves consumed an estimated 61 to 66% of the yearlings and adults dying in 1977-78. Visual observations of radio-collared moose suggested that: (1) moose were leas~ gregarious from April to August; (2) a significant increase in cow-bull associations occurred in September and lasted through November; (3) in November young bulls (1.5 to 2.5 years old) were associated with cows more than were older bulls; (4) bull association with other bulls increased significantly in November; and (5) cows with calves associated with other adult moose significantly less than did single cows. Uplands were used more than lowland from June through September, but upland use increased significantly in October. Lowland use rose in November and December, more so by bulls than cows, but decreased from January to March as snow depth increased. Snow depths were greatest within lowland covertypes. Lowland usage on winter home ranges (December-March) was significantly related (r2 = 0.60) .to availability. Decreased snowfall in winter 1976-77 resulted in increased lowland usage in February and March. Lowland use rose markedly and peaked in April and May. If there are \"critical\" habitats for moose, they are 1ikely the open lowlands which apparently provide the first high quality food in spring. The rate of exploitation of moose in this region cannot likely be raised without producing a major population decline. The most promising means of increasing the allowable harvest would be to reduce the high early mortality of calves.

Early ecosystem genesis using LFH and peat cover soils in Athabasca oil sands reclamation

Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
Peat mineral soil mix has been the predominant cover soil used in Athabasca oil sands reclamation. Use of LFH mineral soil mix (forest litter layers and underlying mineral soil) has recently been mandated by regulatory approvals. Effectiveness of these cover soil types to provide diverse, native plant communities long term was compared at four research sites four to thirteen years of age. LFH mineral soil mix produced significantly greater woody plant density, vascular plant species richness, native species richness, total cover and native species cover; peat mineral soil mix had significantly higher non-native (weed) species cover. Species composition, growth form assemblage and dominant species differed between cover soils. LFH mineral soil mix is a superior cover soil to peat mineral soil mix for native plant community development. Patches of bare soil on both cover soils had significantly different soil chemical and physical properties than soil at patches of diverse vegetation.

Early growth response of container-grown selected woody boreal seedlings in amended composite tailings and tailings sand

Year of Publication: 2005

Abstract:
Successful reclamation of saline-alkaline sites may be enhanced by revegetating with species that are tolerant to factors that limit normal plant growth. Boreal woody plants tested in this study have shown promise for use in saline habitats. This study was conducted to assess the effects of amendment treatments (peat, pulp waste, agriboost, a combination of pulp waste and fly ash, and mineral fertilizer) on the early growth of three hybrid poplar clones and three coniferous species. Twelve-week and 18-week container-grown hybrid poplar clones and coniferous species, respectively, were monitored for 12 weeks in pot culture in both composite tailings (CTs) and tailings sand (TS) materials obtained from the oil sands plant, Syncrude Canada Ltd., Ft. McMurray, Alberta. These substrates with low nutrients, organic matter, and water-holding capacities, were amended with different organic materials at different rates. Growth, as assessed by the volume increment in both substrates, was generally better for the first 6 weeks than for the last 6 weeks. Growth was reduced during the last 6 weeks due to nutrient depletion over time in these impoverished substrates. Overall, for both substrates, the mineral fertilizer, 20%, 40% and 60% peat were the best amendments treatments for poplar clones with NM-6 being the most productive clone. For coniferous species, 20% and 40% pulp or peat appear to be the best amendment treatments, with lodgepole pine being the most productive species. The inflexion point of the regression functions were found around 30% rate of the amendment materials. The results also indicated that peat and pulp waste were the best amendment treatments for both hybrid poplars and coniferous species whereas the agriboost and mix (combination of pulp waste and fly ash) were the worst.

Early performance of native shrubs and trees planted on amended Athabasca oil sand tailings

Year of Publication: 1980

Abstract:
The present accepted end land uses for land disturbed by surface mining in the Athabasca oil sands deposit are forestry, wildlife and recreation, in that order of priority. Consistent with government requirements, the main objective of the reclamation program is the establishment of a system at least equal to the predisturbed state in terms of ecological productivity. This system should be consistent with the regional surface hydrology, the natural vegetation and the land use for forestry, wildlife and recreation. In addition, the plant communities in these systems will be permanent, self-supporting and maintenance free. The lack of available information regarding the procedures necessary to permanently reclaim the tailings sand left after extraction of the oil prompted Syncrude to initiate this study in 1977. Four replicated soil amendment treatments were established on a one meter deep experimental area of tailings sand located on the lease area. The plots were subsequently seeded with a grass-legume mix in July 1977. Trees and shrubs were planted in August 1977 and June 1978. Results to date indicate over-winter survival was very satisfactory with most plant species. A dry spell during the 1978 growing season had a pronounced effect on the survival of some of the tree and shrub seedlings. Those species which had the highest survival rates over the range of treatments were Amelanchier alnifolia, Pinus banksiana, Pinus contorta, Potentilla fruticosa, Shepherdia canadensis and Symphoricarpos albus. Performance of the other trees and shrubs was fair to poor, depending on the species and the treatment.

Early performance of some native and cultivated grasses on oil sands mine disturbance materials

Authors Tomm, H. O.
Year of Publication: 1982

Abstract:
The adaptability of native and cultivated grasses to oil sands disturbance materials is being studied in a field trial in northeastern Alberta. The native grasses originated from the mountains and foothills of the province. The trial was established on blended materials consisting of native sand, clayey overburden and peat. Nine native grasses and eight cultivated grass varieties were seeded in June of 1981. First-year results, describing laboratory germination tests and field emergence; and second-year results, describing the degree of plant cover produced, are presented in this report. A description of the site as well as a summary of experimental and statistical procedures are also included.

Early successional wildlife monitoring on reclamation plots in the Athabasca oil sands region

Authors Hawkes, V. C.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
Assessing the effectiveness of reclamation efforts to create wildlife habitat in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region requires an assessment of wildlife use of reclaimed areas as well as the development of scientifically defensible and repeatable survey methods. The Cumulative Environmental Management Association (CEMA) is mandated to develop guidance documents for assessing reclamation effectiveness on oil sands leases. As part of a pilot study funded by CEMA to assess the use of early successional stands (i.e., those ranging in age from 4 to 17 years) by wildlife (songbirds, small mammals, and ungulates), a wildlife monitoring protocol was developed and field tested in 2010 and 2011. The purpose of this project was to (1) set standards upon which to base longer-term monitoring, and (2) identify wildlife groups that will indicate whether reclaimed ecosystems satisfy land use objectives, including the objective of returning wildlife to reclaimed habitats. The study achieved the following goals: 1) an assessment of the return and re-establishment of early successional wildlife to reclaimed terrestrial systems; 2) an assessment of the feasibility of the recommended protocols for monitoring wildlife on reclaimed terrestrial systems; 3) the development of recommendations for the wildlife appendix of the Guidelines for Reclamation to Forest Vegetation in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region for early successional wildlife monitoring based on the monitoring program results; and 4) the collection of monitoring data to assist in identifying and developing wildlife indicators for reclamation certification. Early indications suggest that the proposed methods are suitable for documenting wildlife use of reclaimed plots; however, the frequency and duration of monitoring needs to be increased to determine patterns of re-establishment and use by wildlife.

Early successional wildlife monitoring program on reclaimed plots in the oil sands region: 2010-2012 comprehensive report

Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
Assessing the effectiveness of reclamation guidance to create wildlife habitat in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) requires an assessment of wildlife use of reclaimed areas as well as the development of scientifically defensible and repeatable survey methods. The Reclamation Working Group of the Cumulative Environmental Management Association (CEMA) produces and maintains guidance documents that provide recommendations and best practices that ensure reclaimed landscapes within the AOSR meet regulatory requirements, satisfy the needs and values of stakeholders, and are environmentally sustainable. As part of a pilot project funded by CEMA to assess the use of early successional stands (i.e., those ranging in age from 4 to 20 years) by wildlife (songbirds, small mammals, and winter-active animals), various wildlife monitoring protocols were developed and field tested from 2010 to 2012. The purpose of this project was to (1) assess the return and re-establishment of early successional wildlife species on reclaimed terrestrial systems; (2) evaluate the feasibility of the recommended protocols for monitoring on reclaimed terrestrial systems; (3) develop recommendations for the wildlife appendix of the Guidelines for Reclamation to Forest Vegetation in the AOSR (AENV 2010) for early successional wildlife monitoring based on the monitoring program results; and (4) collect monitoring data to assist in the development of wildlife indicators for the Criteria and Indicators Framework. The study achieved the following goals (1) an assessment of the return and re-establishment of early successional wildlife to reclaimed terrestrial systems; (2) an assessment of the feasibility of the recommended protocols for monitoring wildlife on reclaimed terrestrial systems; (3) the development of recommendations for the wildlife appendix of the Guidelines for Reclamation to Forest Vegetation in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region 2nd edition for early successional wildlife monitoring based on the monitoring program results; and (4) the collection of monitoring data to assist in identifying and developing wildlife indicators for reclamation certification. Based on the detection of several of the 14 key indicator resources (KIRs) with relatively little effort, the methods proposed for sampling early successional wildlife on reclamation plots in the AOSR appear to be appropriate. The KIRs documented include Moose (Alces americanus), Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis), Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus), Southern Red-backed Vole (Myodes gapperi), Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus), 18 songbird species indicative of early successional mixedwood forest communities and American Black Bear (Ursus americanus). The combination of standardized sampling techniques and incidental observations continue to provide the data necessary to characterize wildlife use of reclaimed plots in the AOSR. Ultimately, comparisons between reclaimed and natural stands of similar age should provide the necessary data to determine if wildlife use in reclaimed plots is comparable to that in natural stands. The standardized monitoring techniques used to document the presence and distribution of wildlife on reclaimed plots are appropriate for reclaimed plots in the AOSR. The inclusion of Incidental observations can benefit early successional wildlife monitoring programs because they often (and in the case of this pilot program) increase the number of species using a reclamation plot. For example, Ruffed Grouse is one species that was documented via incidental observations as were Canada Lynx, emphasizing the need to document all wildlife and their sign observed on each plot. Additional monitoring of the reclamation plots will provide the data necessary to assess trends relative to reclamation stand age and type. Sampling wildlife from natural stands of similar age using the same methods will provide an indication as to how wildlife use of reclamation plots compares to natural stands over time.

Ecological analogues for biomonitoring industrial sulfur emissions in the Athabasca oil sands region, Alberta, Canada

Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
An ecological analogue system for biomonitoring the chronic and long-term effects of anthropogenic atmospheric emissions in the Alberta Oil Sands Region (AOSR) is described. This system has shown to be an efficient adjunct to ambient air quality measurements and has been previously applied successfully in western Canada. The essence of an ecological analogue system is the classification and identification of plant associations that are most sensitive to the atmospheric emissions of concern. An ecosystem classification and ordination was applied to sites of the most sensitive plant associations to identify detailed ecological analogue types (EATs). The EATs were then selected for use in locating field sites for the WBEA Forest Health Monitoring Program.Twenty-one major plant associations were identified within the AOSR with jack pine (Pinus banksiana)/bearberry (Arctostaphylos sp.)/green reindeer lichen (Cladina mitis) communities considered most sensitive. Among those, nine EATs most sensitive to atmospheric emissions were identified by classification and ordination techniques. These EATs possessed 10 specific ecological parameters necessary for field identification and mapping. Field sites were located near major AOSR emission sources, radiating outwards from ∼18 to 130km. A significant and high, nonlinear negative correlation (r=-0.98) was determined between the foliar inorganic/organic sulfur ratios in first year jack pine needles and the distance from the SO 2 sources. This foliar sulfur ratio metric coupled with other growth parameters provided a robust measure for deploying the ecological analogue system to monitor for the biological effects from the atmospheric chemical species of concern.

Ecological bench-marking and biomonitoring for detection of airborne pollutant effects on vegetation and soils

Authors Addison, P. A.
Year of Publication: 1980

Abstract:
Biomonitoring plots established in 1976 and 1977 were revisited in 1979 and quantified with respect to their vascular plant community of the lower stratum, lichen community of black spruce branches, and both soil and plant element contents. There was no measurable change in any of the above factors. Several biomonitoring techniques were tested throughout the 5 year study period of this project. Although there was little measurable effect of air pollution in the area as a whole, certain techniques showed promise for long-term biomonitoring for pollution effects. In general, there was only very limited evidence of biological responses to increased pollutant content in· spite of significantly higher pollutant levels in tissues close to existing industrial developmen ts.

Ecological characteristics of wetlands receiving an industrial effluent

Year of Publication: 2000

Abstract:
The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the ecological characteristics of wetland ecosystems that had developed in response to oil sands effluent relative to reference wetland ecosystems and, from such an evaluation, to assess whether these wetlands were viable systems capable of integrating into the northern Canadian landscape. A secondary objective was to evaluate the use of several ecologically relevant endpoints as indicators of an ecosystem response to a known anthropogenic stress, in this case, wetlands receiving oil sands effluent. To achieve this, a suite of endpoints were compared between effluent-impacted wetlands and nonimpacted reference wetlands. Endpoints for comparison included: (1) benthic macroinvertebrate community structure, (2) chironomid density and biomass, (3) the incidence of chironomid mentum deformities, (4) the muta- genetic potential of sediment-dwelling chironomids, (5) growth and photosynthetic rate for the aquatic plant Typha latifolia (cattail), and (6) fish acute lethality and stress response as measured by changes in blood chemistry (percentage hematocrit [%hct], percentage leucocrit [%lct], and differential white blood cell count). Wetlands receiving oil sands effluent supported a low-diversity benthic community, dominated primarily by the Chiro- nomidae and cattail. There was no evidence of mentum deformities or mutagenicity in chironomids sampled from the oil-impacted wetlands. Cattails grown in oil sands effluent and sediment demonstrated increased photosynthetic rates; however, these increased rates did not translate into increased plant growth. In contrast to the benthic community and the cattail, indigenous fish were unable to survive in wetlands containing oil sands effluent. Fish displayed altered blood chemistry (elevated %hct, depressed %lct) and ultimately death when held beyond 14 d in the oil-impacted wetlands. Of the various ecological endpoints measured, the macroinvertebrate community and changes in fish blood chemistry were the most sensitive indicators of an anthropogenic stress, demonstrating distinct differences in response between impacted and reference wetlands. To ensure that these wetlands can safely integrate into the northern Canadian landscape, future studies need to focus on their impacts at higher trophic levels indigenous to the wetland.

Ecological habitat mapping of the AOSERP study area (supplement): Phase 1

Authors Thompson, M. D.
Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to prepare ecological habitat working maps at a scale of 1:50,000 from false colour infrared photographs of the AOSERP study area obtained in 1977 and 1978, and to evaluate multispectral and multistage remote sensing techniques for application of mapping and monitoring in the study area. This was done in two stages, the first during 1977-1978 was reported in an Interim Report (Thompson et a1. 1978), and included the development of a classification system for mapping vegetation and surficial geology, the multispectral and multistage remote sensing evaluation, and automated ecological mapping. The second stage, reported in this document and carried out during 1978-1979, involved ground surveys in the AOSERP study area, and completion of the mapping of the study area. This final report supplements the material in the Interim Report. First, ground surveys of vegetation and surficial geology are described. These surveys generally confirmed that the classification systems used in the mapping accurately described and defined the ecological habitat features within the AOSERP study area. Based on these surveys and new information from areas mapped in this second phase, a few modifications and additions were made to both the legends. Where necessary, the maps produced during the first stage of the program were altered to ensure consistency in mapping throughout. Next, additions and modifications to the Interim Report are described including revised photo interpretation keys for vegetation and surficial geology, a comprehensive overview of the surficial geology, further discussion of possibilities of larger scale mapping of surficial geology, and changes in the surficial geology glossary. Finally, a summary of the material presented is made, and conclusions drawn, showing that the maps produced are accurate within the limits of scale and represent the major vegetation communities and surficial geology features within the AOSERP study area.

Ecological habitat mapping of the AOSERP study area: Phase I

Year of Publication: 1978

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to prepare ecological habitat working maps at a scale of 1:50,000 from false colour infrared photographs of the AOSERP study area obtained in 1977, and to evaluate multispectral and multistage remote sensing techniques for application to mapping and monitoring in the study area. A classification system was devised for mapping vegetation and surficial geology from the 1:60,000 scale false colour infrared photographs; base maps plus a vegetation overlay and a surficial geology overlay were created based on the standard NTS 1:50,000 topographic sheets of the AOSERP study area. Where NTS topographic coverage was not available, similar maps were created from other sources. The development of the legend systems, the vegetation and surficial geology, and their integration in the study area are described in detail. Photo interpretation keys are included. Multispectral and multistage remote sensing evaluation for ecological habitat mapping and ecological monitoring was accomplished in a systematic manner. Ecological parameters of importance for mapping and monitoring in the AOSERP study area were identified, and the value of various remote sensors, scales and dates of data acquisition estimated using a simple ranking system. An analysis of Landsat analogue imagery is included, as is discussion of several types of aerial photography and thermal infrared imagery. The potential for the use of automated ecological mapping is evaluated. A demonstration of geocoding of the map sheet is presented, and the value of digital analysis of Landsat data and aerial photography data discussed as applied to ecological mapping and monitoring. Finally conclusions are drawn based on the study and map preparation, and recommendations are given for completion of the ecological habitat mapping of the area, establishment of a remote sensing-based monitoring program, and demonstration of automated ecological mapping as a forerunner to a computer-based information for the Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Research Program.

Ecological response of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on reconstructed soils in the Athabasca oil sands region

Authors Hemsley, T.
Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
Oil and gas extraction in the Athabasca oil sands region has increased anthropogenic nitrogen (N) emissions over the past two decades. This study quantified atmospheric N deposition and assessed the potential implications of increased N deposition in aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) stands located on reclaimed sites. Nitrogen deposition was significant on these sites, and in all cases was dominated by ammonium. Bulk precipitation was significantly greater than throughfall, which indicates canopy uptake of N in both stand types. In aspen stands, positive relationships were found between ammonium deposition, and N isotope signature in forest floor, foliage, and roots, suggesting that biocycling of N was taking place between soil and plants. However, in pine, the lack of similar relations together with high soil nitrate concentrations indicated that the N cycle was more open, potentially leading to leaching losses.

Ecological studies of the aquatic invertebrates of the Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Research Program study area of Northeastern Alberta

Year of Publication: 1980

Abstract:
This project, which was a continuation of 1976-77 activities of AOSERP Project AF 2.0, \"Interim Report on Ecological Studies on the Benthic Invertebrates of Various Rivers in the Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Research Program Study Area, Northeastern Alberta\", was to describe the basic ecology of aquatic benthic macrofauna of the Athabasca River and its major tributaries, the Muskeg and Steepbank rivers. The effect of habitat (including oil sands formations) on the diversity of the invertebrate populations and algal and bacterial responses to substrates treated with synthetic oil also were studied. Such basic taxonomic and life cycle data are required to support future manipulative and experimental studies designed to describe and predict changes in benthic communities that can be expected from oil sands development activities.

Economic and environmental risks and uncertainty in frontier resource development: Case study of the Athabasca oil sands

Authors Seifried, N. R.
Year of Publication: 1977

Abstract:
Resource extraction projects in frontier regions may give rise to many problems concerning their economic viability and also their impact on the environment. The mining and processing activity in the oil sands of Alberta is a case in point. This area comprises one of the largest reservoirs of oil in the world. Long-run supply considerations in both Canada and the rest of the world should lead to further development of these oil sands. However, a review of the first two projects reveals considerable economic and environmental uncertainty. The economics of the project currently under way are questionable mainly because of inflated costs on one hand and uncertain future oil prices on the other. Controversy has developed over aspects of the land, water, and atmospheric environmental impacts of the projects partly because development proceeded before extensive studies were done. All these concerns have led to uncertainty concerning future projects and also the price the people of Alberta and Canada will pay, in economic and environmental terms, for development in this area.

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