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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.

Environmental issues and R&D related to in-situ bitumen recovery and heavy oil production

Authors Schindel, G. W.
Year of Publication: 1985

Citation:
Schindel, G. W. (1985).  Environmental issues and R&D related to in-situ bitumen recovery and heavy oil production. 12 pages .
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Environmental issues and R&D related to oil sands mining and extraction

Authors Stephansson, S. E.
Year of Publication: 1985

Citation:
Stephansson, S. E. (1985).  Environmental issues and R&D related to oil sands mining and extraction. 10 pages .
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Environmental management and the Cold Lake project

Authors Peterson, R. B.
Year of Publication: 1980

Citation:
Peterson, R. B. (1980).  Environmental management and the Cold Lake project.
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Environmental Management Frameworks and the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan Facts at Your Fingertips

Authors
Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
Management frameworks are a key approach to manage the long term cumulative effects of development on the environment at a regional level.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2012).  Environmental Management Frameworks and the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan Facts at Your Fingertips. (Alberta Government, Ed.). 1 page . Abstract
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Environmental management of Alberta's oil sands: Resourceful, responsible

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Environmental management of Alberta's oil sands: Resourceful, responsible. (Government of Alberta, Ed.).
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Environmental management of the Alberta oil sands: Introduction to the special set of articles

Authors Miall, A. D.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Miall, A. D. (2013).  Environmental management of the Alberta oil sands: Introduction to the special set of articles. 40, 1 page.
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Environmental mediation in major oil sands developments: An alternative model for resolution of native corporate and government interests in resource development approval processes

Authors Slavik, J. N., Wallace R., & Boucher J.
Year of Publication: 1989

Citation:
Slavik, J. N., Wallace R., & Boucher J. (1989).  Environmental mediation in major oil sands developments: An alternative model for resolution of native corporate and government interests in resource development approval processes. 4 pages .
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Environmental monitoring and ecosystem management in the oil sands: Spaceship earth or escort tugboat?

Authors Olszynski, M. Z. P.
Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
Spurred on by mounting international concern about the environmental impacts of the oil sands and determined to secure Canada's status as a global energy superpower, Canada and Alberta recently announced the establishment of a "world class" monitoring plan for the Lower Athabasca Region of Alberta. Relying on recent scholarship but also Canadian experience with monitoring, this paper sets out some of the challenges to (and features of) effective environmental monitoring programs. It also situates monitoring in its proper context as a prerequisite to the successful implementation of ecosystem management ("EM"), an emerging if still not fully understood environmental policy model, the effective implementation of which presents its own set of challenges. !e Joint Oil Sands Monitoring Plan ("JOSMP") and one of the existing EM regimes in the region, the Lower Athabasca River Water Management Framework ("LAR Framework"), are then assessed against frameworks constructed around the challenges and features previously identified. !e implications of an environmental law increasingly reliant on monitoring and EM are discussed in the final part.

Citation:
Olszynski, M. Z. P. (2014).  Environmental monitoring and ecosystem management in the oil sands: Spaceship earth or escort tugboat?. 10(1), 43 pages . Abstract
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Environmental monitoring of the Athabasca oil sands using landsat data

Authors Aronoff, S., Ross G. A., & Ross W. A.
Year of Publication: 1982

Abstract:
The Athabasca Oil Sands have undergone rapid and extensive strip mine development. This activity is expected to resume as the cost of petroleum continues to rise. 16 spring, summer, and fall LANDSAT color composite transparencies at the 1/1 million scale were evaluated for use in environmental monitoring. Roads, cleared areas, and water features were best imaged on the May 1, 1976 color composite. Summer Product 8 imagery (July and August) was most useful for vegetation analysis and also had the best year to year signature consistency. For this reason, summer Product 8 imagery was considered most suitable for environmental monitoring of the oil sands region. Two summer images were overlayed and registered, then changes were classified using a supervised classification algorithm. Change detection analyses of open water, cleared land, and vegetation appeared to be the most valuable applications of LANDSAT digital data to environmental monitoring of the region.

Citation:
Aronoff, S., Ross G. A., & Ross W. A. (1982).  Environmental monitoring of the Athabasca oil sands using landsat data. 38(3), 9 pages . Abstract
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Environmental overview of the northern river basins

Authors MacLock, B. R., Lyons B., & Ellehoj E.
Year of Publication: 1997

Citation:
MacLock, B. R., Lyons B., & Ellehoj E. (1997).  Environmental overview of the northern river basins. (Environment Canada, Ed.). 128 pages . Download: 0-662-25576-3-bw.pdf (11.71 MB)
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Environmental problems in the development of the Fort McMurray tar sands

Authors Yurko, W. J.
Year of Publication: 1973

Citation:
Yurko, W. J. (1973).  Environmental problems in the development of the Fort McMurray tar sands.
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Environmental protection in Alberta

Authors Orr, R. C.
Year of Publication: 1986

Citation:
Orr, R. C. (1986).  Environmental protection in Alberta.
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Environmental quality guidelines for Alberta surface waters

Authors
Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
The revised guidelines for Alberta include ones developed by the Government of Alberta, Canada Council of Minister’s of the Environment (CCME), the USA (US EPA), and other provinces. They are used to evaluate and report on the condition of surface water quality throughout Alberta, to develop water quality based approval limits for wastewater discharges and as the basis for site-specific water quality objectives. General guidance on the application of the guidelines are included in the guidelines document.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2014).  Environmental quality guidelines for Alberta surface waters. (Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, Ed.). 48 pages . Abstract
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Environmental regulation - it's impacts on major oil and gas projects: Oil sands and Arctic

Authors Hunt, C. D., & Lucas A. R.
Year of Publication: 1980

Citation:
Hunt, C. D., & Lucas A. R. (1980).  Environmental regulation - it's impacts on major oil and gas projects: Oil sands and Arctic. 155 pages .
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Environmental research on acidic deposition in the oil sands region of Alberta: An assessment with recommendations

Authors Legge, A. H., & Davies M. J. E.
Year of Publication: 1992

Citation:
Legge, A. H., & Davies M. J. E. (1992).  Environmental research on acidic deposition in the oil sands region of Alberta: An assessment with recommendations. 59 pages .
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Environmentally acceptable deposition of oil sands tailings

Authors Chalaturnyk, R. J., Scott J. D., & Ozum B.
Year of Publication: 2004

Citation:
Chalaturnyk, R. J., Scott J. D., & Ozum B. (2004).  Environmentally acceptable deposition of oil sands tailings.
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Equivalent land capability workshop summary notes

Authors
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
The Equivalent Land Capability Workshop, held on November 26, 2010 at the University of Alberta, provided an opportunity for 60 reclamation specialists to share views about Equivalent Land Capability and how it is applied to oil sands mine reclamation, and to identify research and information needs. The purpose of the workshop was to develop a shared understanding of the concept and application of Equivalent Land Capability (ELC) as it applies to oil sands mine reclamation. The workshop format was a series of presentations, each followed by group discussions, which were guided by a series of questions provided by the organizers. A final open forum plenary discussion asked what people had learned and what they felt the next steps should be. There was general agreement that government should develop a policy document on what ELC means today, and acknowledge that the vision may change in the future. The policy document should acknowledge that ELC is much broader than the regulatory definition. ELC is a province-wide issue not just oil sands – therefore the oil sands could be a chapter in a bigger policy document. The policy should clearly distinguish the concept from the practice (implementation, measurement, etc.). External discussion papers could be also commissioned, with representation from all the publics. The compilation of these papers can act as a pre-policy paper – a synthesis of opinions meant to inform policy. Contributors may need to be paid a stipend. It is not necessary to agree and there can be a diversity of opinions. Additional recommendations that came out of the meeting are summarized below: • Revisit 1998 End Land Use Committee Report. • Re-institute the Development and Reclamation Review Committee as a tool to get better integration of government agency approaches and issues. • Develop a vehicle for sharing information on ELC (e.g., an ELC Blog). • Get more reclamation certificate applications in to test the system. • Poll the public about reclamation expectations and land use options. Additional ideas were submitted after the meeting: • Develop a flow chart that shows and explains the different reclamation stages: Define end use goals; Establish baseline inventories and long term monitoring plots; Reclamation planning; Reclamation implementation; Reclamation monitoring; and, Certification assessment. • Provide an example of an ELC through the various stages to show its change as it is proposed by a proponent after stakeholder involvement, negotiated, and then approved by government. • Define what other measurement tools there are – indicating where they are appropriate would help.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2011).  Equivalent land capability workshop summary notes. (Oil Sands Research and Information Network, Ed.). 83 pages . Abstract
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Erosion-corrosion of carbon steel pipes in oil sands slurry studied by weight-loss testing and CFD simulation

Authors Liang, G., Peng X., Xu L., & Cheng F. Y.
Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
Weight-loss testing and computational fluid dynamic simulation were combined to investigate the essential roles of fluid mechanics and the sand impact in erosion-corrosion (E-C) of an X65 pipe steel in oil sands slurry. Results demonstrated that the steel E-C is resulted from the synergistic effect of the hydrodynamic shear stress and mechanical impact stress exerted on the steel surface. At low impact angles, such as 30°, the effect of shear stress is dominant. The particle impact stress becomes dominant when the impact angle increases to a high value, such as 90°. It is demonstrated that the maximum of E-C of the steel occurs at approximately 45° of the slurry impingement.

Citation:
Liang, G., Peng X., Xu L., & Cheng F. Y. (2013).  Erosion-corrosion of carbon steel pipes in oil sands slurry studied by weight-loss testing and CFD simulation. 22(10), 5 pages . Abstract
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Esso's commitment to the Alberta oil sands

Authors Willmon, G. J.
Year of Publication: 1989

Citation:
Willmon, G. J. (1989).  Esso's commitment to the Alberta oil sands. 34 pages .
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Establishing a world class public information and reporting system for ecosystems in the oil sands region - Report and appendices

Authors James, D. R., & Vold T.
Year of Publication: 2010

Abstract:
This is one of two reports - this one (TR-5) contains detailed appendices; the other one (TR-5A) contains only the report. This report presents a vision for a comprehensive and effective Public Information and Reporting System for Ecosystem Effects in the Oil Sands Region that is relevant, credible, durable, transparent, and robust. The report describes the key Principles and Elements of an information and reporting system that would provide Albertan’s and the World with assurance that ecosystem effects due to development in the Wood Buffalo region are reported and evaluated and, along with socio-economic information, support decision-making and responsible management of the land, air and water. The report describes two Scenarios to improve the current system. This report was developed through an intensive six month (January to June, 2010) structured process called the Challenge Dialogue System where we addressed the question of “What Constitutes an Adequate and Effective Public Information and Reporting System for Ecosystems in the Oil Sands Region?” This process involved 70 people drawn from industry, government (all levels), NGOs, First Nations, academia and the public. A one-day workshop in June 2010, attended by 25 people from government, industry, NGOs and staff from the four major monitoring programs in the Wood Buffalo Region, further refined the concepts arising from the written feedback. The Principles for an effective information and reporting system are: • Relevant (responsive, addresses key objectives, supports decisions) • Credible (science-based, consistent methodology, standardized reporting, verifiable, independent and objective, collaborative) • Understandable (increases public awareness, causal relations understood) • Transparent (publicly available data, methodology and reports, timely reporting) • Robust (durable, continuously-improving) Two scenarios were developed to provide advice to improving the current information and report system for ecosystem effects in the oil sands region. These scenarios are: • An Enhanced Information and Reporting System developed from the current assemblage of monitoring and reporting programs; and • A World Class Information and Reporting System that incorporates or replaces the current system. The Key Criteria for a World Class Information and Reporting System are: • Independence • Responsiveness • Administrative and operational integration • Transparent and collaborative governance structure • Stable funding • Integration across media • Ease of access to data and information • Excellence in reporting and communication • Understanding of causal relationships • Complex science-based information is understandable by all audiences • Operational excellence • Continuous improvement

Citation:
James, D. R., & Vold T. (2010).  Establishing a world class public information and reporting system for ecosystems in the oil sands region - Report and appendices. 31 pages . Abstract
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Establishment and survival of ground cover plantings and disturbed areas in Alberta: Phase II

Authors Vaartnou, H., & Wheeler G. W.
Year of Publication: 1975

Citation:
Vaartnou, H., & Wheeler G. W. (1975).  Establishment and survival of ground cover plantings and disturbed areas in Alberta: Phase II. 190 pages .
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Establishment and survival of ground cover plantings on disturbed areas in Alberta. Final Report of Phase 1

Authors Vaartnou, H., & Wheeler G. W.
Year of Publication: 1974

Abstract:
In February of 1973 a meeting of representatives from interested government agencies and industries was held in Edmonton in order to determine the need for research on the revegetation of disturbed areas in Alberta. As a result of this meeting a research project was set up to study the establishment and survival of ground cover vegetation on roadsides, utility rights-of-way, and non-cultivated disturbed areas in Alberta. The purposes of the project, as set out by that meeting, were: 1. to provide the basic information necessary for recommendations for revegetation and management of disturbed areas, such as roadsides, utility rights-of-way, erosion control, etc., 2. to improve wildlife habitats in non-cultivated, disturbed areas, when practical and possible, 3. to provide the basic information regarding the amount of pesticides required to control undesirable vegetation on non-agricultural areas in Alberta, 4. to improve the aesthetic values of disturbed areas. A preliminary field survey was conducted during the summer of 1973 to provide background information on the vegetation presently growing on disturbed areas. The objectives of this survey were: 1. to study the natality, mortality, and biotic potential of the species providing the vegetation on roadsides, utility rights-of-way, and other disturbed areas in Alberta, 2. to locate, evaluate, and identify native vegetation which may be used for revegetation purposes on rights-of-way, roadsides, erosion control, and surface-mined areas, etc. in Alberta, 3. to study the weed infestation and bio-competitive weed control on reclaimed areas such as roadsides, utility rights-of-way, eroded, and surface-mined areas, 4. to collect seeds of native plants for testing, 5. to identify and evaluate problems involved in maintaining rights-of-way. The first three progress reports covered the vegetation along roadsides, pipeline and power line rights-of-way, and some strip-mining areas. Progress report #4 related the vegetation to some important soil properties. This report attempts to synthesize the information from the previous four reports as well as that gained in previous ecological studies and in some growth chamber testing conducted during the winter in order to provide preliminary recommendations as to which species ate likely to be useful for what revegetation purposes.

Citation:
Vaartnou, H., & Wheeler G. W. (1974).  Establishment and survival of ground cover plantings on disturbed areas in Alberta. Final Report of Phase 1. Abstract
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Establishment and vegetation survey of 16 Pinus banksiana - dominated permanent plots for the Athabasca oil sands ecological monitoring project in 1981

Authors La Roi, G. H., & Ostafichuk M.
Year of Publication: 1982

Abstract:
Sixteen, undisturbed, 5-hectare, permanent plots dominated by Pinus banksiana (jack pine) were established along an impingement gradient of atmospheric emissions from oil sands processing plants north of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta in August of 1981. Four plots were burned over by wildfire shortly afterwards and will belong to the very young age-class (1-10 yrs) until 1991. Seven plots are young age-class (11-50 yrs) and four are middle age-class (51-110 yrs). Fourteen plots are located on Eluviated Dystric Brunisols derived from sand; two plots are on Gray Luvisols derived from clay-rich, stoney till. One 50 x 50 m reference stand was grid-staked into 100 5 x 5 m sampling units in each permanent plot for long-term, ecological monitoring purposes. The vascular plant and bryophyte- lichen community components of each reference stand were quantitatively surveyed for species composition, species richness, species structure, and species dominance hierarchy. Stand ages were determined from tree increment cores. All reference stands have low % covers of trees, forbs, graminoids, and pteridophytes; most have a moderate cover of dwarf shrubs and a relatively high cover of terrestrial lichens; some have moderate covers of tall shrubs and feather mosses. Vascular species richness and equitabi1ity seem to increase with increasing soil moisture but are not correlated with either stand age or tree cover. Terrestrial lichen cover decreases and feather moss cover increases with increasing vascular species richness. In terms of % cover, the dominant plant species of the permanent plot system in 1981 were: Pinus banksiana, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry), Vaccinium vitis-idaea (lingon-berry), Vaccinium myrtilloides (blueberry), Linnaea borealis (twin flower), Maianthemum canadense (wild lily of the valley) in the vascular component; and Cladina mitis (Reindeer lichen), Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia cornuta, Peltigera malacea, Polytrichum piliferum (hair-cap moss), Pleurozium schreberi (red-stem feather moss) in the bryophyte-lichen component.

Citation:
La Roi, G. H., & Ostafichuk M. (1982).  Establishment and vegetation survey of 16 Pinus banksiana - dominated permanent plots for the Athabasca oil sands ecological monitoring project in 1981. 133 pages . Abstract
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Establishment of ambient air quality trends in Edmonton and Fort McKay, Alberta

Authors Faisal, K.
Year of Publication: 2006

Citation:
Faisal, K. (2006).  Establishment of ambient air quality trends in Edmonton and Fort McKay, Alberta. 156 pages .
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Establishment of native boreal plant species on reclaimed oil sands mining disturbances

Authors Smreciu, A., Gould K., & Wood S.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Smreciu, A., Gould K., & Wood S. (2013).  Establishment of native boreal plant species on reclaimed oil sands mining disturbances.
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