Repository of the Athabasca River Basin

Identification of causes of oil sands coke leachate toxicity

Authors Puttaswamy, N., & Liber K.

Year of Publication: 2010

Citation:

Puttaswamy, N., & Liber K. (2010). Identification of causes of oil sands coke leachate toxicity.

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Identification of individual tetra- and pentacyclic naphthenic acids in oil sands process water by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Authors Rowland, S. J., West C. E., Scarlett A. G., Jones D., & Frank R. A.

Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
The oils sands industry of Canada produces large volumes of process water (OSPW) which is stored in large lagoons. The OSPW contains complex mixtures of somewhat toxic, water-soluble, acid-extractable organic matter sometimes called ‘naphthenic acids’ (NA). Concerns have been raised over the possible environmental impacts of leakage of OSPW and a need has therefore arisen for better characterisation of the NA. Recently, we reported the first identification of numerous individual tricyclic NA in OSPW by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC/ToF-MS) of the methyl esters. The acids were diamondoid adamantane acids, resulting, it was proposed, from biotransformation of the corresponding alkyladamantane hydrocarbons, which is a known process. Biotransformation of higher alkylated diamondoid hydrocarbons was, until now, unknown but here we describe the identification of numerous pentacyclic NA as diamantane and alkyldiamantane acids, using the same methods. Further, we suggest tentative structures for some of the tetracyclic acids formed, we propose, by ring-opening of alkyldiamantanes. We suggest that this is further evidence that some of the acid-extractable organic matter in the OSPW originates from extensive biodegradation of the oil, whether in-reservoir or environmental, although other oxidative routes (e.g. processing) may also be possible. The results may be important for helping to better focus reclamation and remediation strategies for NA and for facilitating the identification of the sources of NA in contaminated environmental samples.

Citation:

Rowland, S. J., West C. E., Scarlett A. G., Jones D., & Frank R. A. (2011). Identification of individual tetra- and pentacyclic naphthenic acids in oil sands process water by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. 25(9), 6 pages . Abstract

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Identification of individual thiophene- indane- tetralin- cyclohexane- and adamantane-type carboxylic acids in composite tailings pore water from Alberta oil sands

Authors Bowman, D. T., Slater G. F., Warren L. A., & McCarry B. E.

Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
RATIONALE: Naphthenic acids (NAs) accumulate in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) as a result of the water-based extraction processes, and represent one of the toxic fractions in OSPW. They exist as a complex mixture and so the development of an analytical method to characterize and quantify individual acids has been an on-going challenge. The multidimensional separation technique of two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) has the potential to provide a fingerprint of the sources of NAs and can potentially resolve individual analytes for target analysis. However, the identity and toxicity of a large proportion of the acids present in tailing waters are still unknown. METHODS: Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC/TOFMS) was used to characterize NAs in a pore water sample from a Syncrude composite tailings (CT) deposit in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. The extractable organic acid fraction was derivatized with diazomethane and the structures of selected resolved esters were elucidated through interpretation of their electron ionization (EI) mass spectra and, if available, confirmed by comparison with the spectra of reference standards. RESULTS: The high resolving power of the GC × GC/TOFMS technique allowed for the structural elucidation of numerous as yet unidentified acids in the CT pore water sample such as carboxylic acids containing a thiophene, indane, tetralin or cyclohexane moiety. Seventeen members of the previously reported class of adamantane-type carboxylic acids in oil sands process water could also be identified in the sample. CONCLUSIONS: This study underlines the complexity of naphthenic acid isomer distributions in composite tailings and provides a useful inventory of individual acids.

Citation:

Bowman, D. T., Slater G. F., Warren L. A., & McCarry B. E. (2014). Identification of individual thiophene- indane- tetralin- cyclohexane- and adamantane-type carboxylic acids in composite tailings pore water from Alberta oil sands. 28(19), 8 pages . Abstract

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Identification of oil sands naphthenic acid structures and their associated toxicity to Pimephales promelas and Oryzias latipes

Authors Bauer, A.

Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
The oil sands, located in north-eastern Alberta, are one of the largest deposits of oil worldwide. Because the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act prohibits the release of oil sands process-affected material into the environment, industry is storing vast quantities of tailings on mine lease sites. The oil sands industry is currently accumulating tailings waste at a rate of >105 m3/day, for which reclamation strategies are being investigated. Naphthenic acids (NAs) have been identified as the most toxic component of oil sands tailings as they are considered acutely toxic to a variety of biota, and are therefore a target contaminant for tailings pond reclamation strategies. Current literature based on Microtox® assays (marine bacteria Vibrio fischeri) suggests that lower molecular weight NAs are more toxic than higher molecular weight NAs. The following thesis involves the utilization of NA fractions and their relative toxicities to determine if NA toxicity is related to NA molecular weight. A previous study generated an oil sands-derived naphthenic acid extract (NAE), which was fractionated by distillation at stepped temperatures, yielding five fractions with increasing median molecular weights (Daltons). In the present study, the same extract and five fractions were utilized. To expand on the earlier characterization which involved a low resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), the whole extract and five fractions were analysed using electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS) and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS). Mean molecular weights were generated for each fraction, and an increase in molecular weight with increasing fraction number was confirmed. Respective mean Daltons and relative proportions for each fraction are as follows: 237 and 11.9 % (fraction 1), 240 and 32.3% (fraction 2), 257 and 33.4% (fraction 3), 308 and 16.8% (fraction 4), and 355 and 5.6% (fraction 5). When chemical analyses of fractions were compared, it was determined that structures contributing to increased molecular weight included increased cyclic structures (up to 7-ring structures), aromaticity (mono- and diaromatics), nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen heteroatoms, and dihydroxy/dicarboxy compounds. In addition, characterization data suggested the presence of NAs exhibiting estrogenic structures. Following chemical characterization, NA fractions were subject to embryo/larval bioassays using two fish species: Oryzias latipes (Japanese medaka) and Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow). Endpoints evaluated were mortality, time to hatch, hatch length, and abnormalities. Results suggest that relative NA fraction toxicity is not related to molecular weight, as no trend relating mean Dalton weight to toxicity was observed for any endpoint in both species. Acute toxicity data indicated differences between fractions as high as 2-fold, although results were species-dependent. Fraction 1 displayed the lowest potency (highest LC50) for both Japanese medaka (0.291 mM) and fathead minnow (0.159 mM). Fractions 3 and 2 for Japanese medaka (0.149 and 0.157 mM, respectively), and fractions 5 and 2 for fathead minnow (0.061 and 0.080 mM, respectively) displayed the greatest potencies for mortality (lowest LC50). When fraction LC50s for Japanese medaka were compared to the whole NAE (0.143 mM), the mid molecular weight fractions (fractions 2 and 3) appeared most similar to the whole NA. . In terms of relative toxicity and proportion, constituents in the mid molecular range fractions (2 and 3) likely represent greater risk compared to other fractions, and further chemical and toxicological characterization of constituents within these fractions is warranted particularly for long-chained, monocarboxylic acids, with low aromaticity. Japanese medaka and fathead minnow varied in their sensitivity and their relative response to different fractions. In general, fathead minnow were more sensitive than Japanese medaka based on lower estimates of LC50 and threshold (growth) values in addition to the presence of developmental abnormalities (predominately yolk sac edema) associated with a few of the fractions. Compared to differences in toxicity between fractions for a given species (>2- fold for fathead minnow), there was more variability between species for a given fraction (> 3- fold for fraction 5). Also, the relative toxicity of fractions as indicated in the present study is contrary to the results generated using Vibrio fischeri for the same fractions. Thus, there is a need for multi- endpoint and species toxicity evaluations to assess the efficacy of remediation and reclamation options for reducing toxicity of oil sands tailings.

Citation:

Bauer, A. (2013). Identification of oil sands naphthenic acid structures and their associated toxicity to Pimephales promelas and Oryzias latipes. 103 pages . Abstract

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Identification of spatial and temporal patterns in nutrient limitation Athabasca River, October to December, 1993

Authors Scrimgeour, G. J., Chambers P. A., Podemski C. L., & Culp J. M.

Year of Publication: 1995

Abstract:
The long-term goal of this study is to identify which reaches of the Athabasca, Wapiti and Smoky rivers are nutrient limited (i.e., would respond to added nutrients) and at what time of year. Laboratory and field experiments were initially performed to develop an innovative nutrient diffusing substrata that would be suitable for use in the Athabasca River. Subsequent field experiments were conducted at four sites on the Athabasca River between October and December, 1993, to identify the effects of nutrient additions on bottom-dwelling algae and invertebrate communities. The four test sites were upstream and downstream of the combined effluent discharge from Hinton and Weldwood Canada Ltd., and upstream and downstream of the discharge from the Alberta-Pacific pulp mill.

Citation:

Scrimgeour, G. J., Chambers P. A., Podemski C. L., & Culp J. M. (1995). Identification of spatial and temporal patterns in nutrient limitation Athabasca River, October to December, 1993. (Department of Biological Sciences, U of A, National Hydrology Research Institute, Ed.). 28 pages . Abstract

Download: 0-662-23438-3.pdf (4.31 MB)

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Identification of spatial and temporal patterns in nutrient limitation with herbivory effects, Wapiti, Smoky and Athabasca Rivers, 1994

Authors Scrimgeour, G., & Chambers P. A.

Year of Publication: 1996

Abstract:
One of the objectives of this project was to identify spatial patterns of nutrient limitation in the Athabasca and Wapiti-Smoky rivers. Two experiments were conducted to accomplish this goal. The first experiment used nutrient diffusing substrata (NDS) downstream of the Hinton combined effluent to identify the interactive effects of both nutrient enrichment and herbivory (grazing by aquatic insects) on algal biomass. The second experiment used NDS to quantify large scale patterns in algal biomass and nutrient limitation, with four levels of nutrient enrichment, upstream and downstream of the major effluent and tributary input sources along the Athabasca and Wapiti-Smoky rivers.

Citation:

Scrimgeour, G., & Chambers P. A. (1996). Identification of spatial and temporal patterns in nutrient limitation with herbivory effects, Wapiti, Smoky and Athabasca Rivers, 1994. 43 pages . Abstract

Download: 0-662-24482-6.pdf (2.5 MB)

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Identification of spatial and temporal patterns in nutrient limitation with herbivory effects: Wapiti, Smoky and Athabasca Rivers, 1994.

Authors Scrimgeour, G., & Chambers P. A.

Year of Publication: 1996

Abstract:
One of the objectives of this project was to identify spatial patterns of nutrient limitation in the Athabasca and Wapiti-Smoky rivers. Two experiments were conducted to accomplish this goal. The first experiment used nutrient diffusing substrata (NDS) downstream of the Hinton combined effluent to identify the interactive effects of both nutrient enrichment and herbivory (grazing by aquatic insects) on algal biomass. The second experiment used NDS to quantify large scale patterns in algal biomass and nutrient limitation, with four levels of nutrient enrichment, upstream and downstream of the major effluent and tributary input sources along the Athabasca and Wapiti-Smoky rivers.

Citation:

Scrimgeour, G., & Chambers P. A. (1996). Identification of spatial and temporal patterns in nutrient limitation with herbivory effects: Wapiti, Smoky and Athabasca Rivers, 1994.. 43 pages . Abstract

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Identification of water quantity and quality trends contributing to cumulative effects in the Athabasca River basin

Authors Squires, A., Westbrook C., & Dube M.

Year of Publication: 2009

Citation:

Squires, A., Westbrook C., & Dube M. (2009). Identification of water quantity and quality trends contributing to cumulative effects in the Athabasca River basin. 1 page .

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Identify characterize and quantify the types of landforms and landscape patterns present in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Authors MacMillan, R. A., Nikiforuk W. L., Pawlina M., Robertson S., Turchenek L., & Pettapiece W.

Year of Publication: 2003

Abstract:
This report addresses the following two objectives: 1) Characterize the physiognomy of the various simple landforms and complex landform assemblages in the selected area within the RSDS region; and 2) Collate the information into a landform database in a format that can be appended to the existing Alberta Land Inventory database.

Citation:

MacMillan, R. A., Nikiforuk W. L., Pawlina M., Robertson S., Turchenek L., & Pettapiece W. (2003). Identify characterize and quantify the types of landforms and landscape patterns present in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. 88 pages . Abstract

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Identify characterize and quantify the types of landforms and landscape patterns present in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Authors MacMillan, R. A., Nikiforuk W. L., Pawlina M., Robertson S., Turchenek L., & Pettapiece W.

Year of Publication: 2006

Abstract:
This report addresses the following two objectives: 1) Characterize the physiognomy of the various simple landforms and complex landform assemblages in the selected area within the RSDS region; and 2) Collate the information into a landform database in a format that can be appended to the existing Alberta Land Inventory database.

Citation:

MacMillan, R. A., Nikiforuk W. L., Pawlina M., Robertson S., Turchenek L., & Pettapiece W. (2006). Identify characterize and quantify the types of landforms and landscape patterns present in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. 98 pages . Abstract

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Identifying the causes of oil sands coke leachate toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Authors Puttaswamy, N., & Liber K.

Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
A previous study found that coke leachates (CL) collected from oil sands field sites were acutely toxic to Ceriodaphnia dubia; however, the cause of toxicity was not known. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to generate CL in the laboratory to evaluate the toxicity response of C. dubia and perform chronic toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) tests to identify the causes of CL toxicity. Coke was subjected to a 15-d batch leaching process at pH 5.5 and 9.5. Leachates were filtered on day 15 and used for chemical and toxicological characterization. The 7-d median lethal concentration (LC50) was 6.3 and 28.7% (v/v) for pH 5.5 and 9.5 CLs, respectively. Trace element characterization of the CLs showed Ni and V levels to be well above their respective 7-d LC50s for C. dubia. Addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved survival and reproduction in pH 5.5 CL, but not in pH 9.5 CL. Cationic and anionic resins removed toxicity of pH 5.5 CL only. Conversely, the toxicity of pH 9.5 CL was completely removed with an anion resin alone, suggesting that the pH 9.5 CL contained metals that formed oxyanions. Toxicity reappeared when Ni and V were added back to anion resin-treated CLs. The TIE results combined with the trace element chemistry suggest that both Ni and V are the cause of toxicity in pH 5.5 CL, whereas V appears to be the primary cause of toxicity in pH 9.5 CL. Environmental monitoring and risk assessments should therefore focus on the fate and toxicity of metals, especially Ni and V, in coke-amended oil sands reclamation landscapes.

Citation:

Puttaswamy, N., & Liber K. (2011). Identifying the causes of oil sands coke leachate toxicity to aquatic invertebrates. 30(11), 9 pages . Abstract

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Immunological impacts of oil sands-affected waters on rainbow trout evaluated using an in situ exposure

Authors McNeill, S. A., Arens C. J., Hogan N. S., Köllner B., & van den Heuvel M. R.

Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
Rainbow trout were exposed in situ to oil sands-affected waters for 21 d, either with or without an immune stimulation using inactivated Aeromonas salmonicida. Three aquatic systems were utilized for the experiment: a pond containing oil sands tailings capped with approximately 3 m of natural surface water, a second pond where unextracted oil sands materials were deposited in the watershed, and a reservoir receiving Athabasca River water as a reference caging location. The three systems showed a gradient of oil sands-related compounds, most notably, total naphthenic acids were highest in the system containing tailings (13 mg/L), followed by the system influenced by unextracted oil sands (4 mg/L), followed by the reference cage location (1 mg/L). Biochemical and chemical measures of exposure in rainbow trout showed the same trend, with the tailings-influenced system having the highest hepatic EROD activity and elevated bile fluorescence measured at phenanthrene wavelengths. Trout caged in the tailings-influenced location had significantly fewer leukocytes and smaller spleens as compared to the reference fish, though liver size and condition factor were unaffected. Fish in the tailings-influenced waters also demonstrated increased fin erosion, indicative of opportunistic infec- tion. The trout exposed to tailing-influenced waters also showed a significantly decreased ability to produce antibodies to the inactivated A. salmonicida. Given the complexity of the exposure conditions, exact causative agents could not be determined, however, naphthenic acids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pH correlate with the immunotoxic effects while elevated salinity or metals seem unlikely causes.

Citation:

McNeill, S. A., Arens C. J., Hogan N. S., Köllner B., & van den Heuvel M. R. (2012). Immunological impacts of oil sands-affected waters on rainbow trout evaluated using an in situ exposure. 84, 7 pages . Abstract

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Immunotoxic effects of oil sands-derived naphthenic acids to rainbow trout

Authors MacDonald, G. Z., Hogan N. S., Köllner B., Thorpe K. L., Phalen L. J., Wagner B. D., et al.

Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
Naphthenic acids are the major organic constituents in waters impacted by oil sands. To investigate their immunotoxicity, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were injected with naphthenic acids extracted from aged oil sands tailings water. In two experiments, rainbow trout were injected intraperitoneally with 0, 10, or 100 mg/kg of naphthenic acids, and sampled after 5 or 21 d. Half of the fish from the 21 d exposure were co-exposed to inactivated Aeromonas salmonicida (A.s.) to induce an immune response. A positive control experiment was conducted using an intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg of benzo[a]pyrene, a known immune suppressing compound. T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, thrombocytes, and myeloid cells were counted in blood and lymphatic tissue using flow cytometry. In the 5 d exposure, there was a reduction in blood leucocytes and spleen thrombocytes at the 100 mg/kg dose. However, at 21 d, leucocyte populations showed no effects of exposure with the exception that spleen thrombocyte populations increase at the 100 mg/kg dose. In the 21 d exposure, B- and T-lymphocytes in blood showed a significant Dose × A.s. interaction, indicating stimulated blood cell proliferation due to naphthenic acids alone as well as due to A.s. Naphthenic acid injections did not result in elevated bile fluorescent metabolites or elevated hepatic EROD activity. In contrast to naphthenic acids exposures, as similar dose of benzo[a]pyrene caused a significant decrease in B- and T-lymphocyte absolute counts in blood and relative B-lymphocyte counts in spleen. Results suggest that the naphthenic acids may act via a generally toxic mechanism rather than by specific toxic effects on immune cells.

Citation:

MacDonald, G. Z., Hogan N. S., Köllner B., Thorpe K. L., Phalen L. J., Wagner B. D., et al. (2013). Immunotoxic effects of oil sands-derived naphthenic acids to rainbow trout. 126, 8 pages . Abstract

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Impact analysis of aquatic issues associated with the Steepbank Mine

Authors

Year of Publication: 1996

Citation:

[Anonymous] (1996). Impact analysis of aquatic issues associated with the Steepbank Mine. (Golder Associates Ltd., Ed.). 126 pages .

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Impact of air pollutant mixtures on forest vegetation and soils

Authors Addison, P. A., Khan A. A., L'Hirondelle S., & Theriault F.

Year of Publication: 1982

Abstract:
This report describes both the accomplishments to date and the long-term plans of the joint project between the Toxic Substances Program of the Canadian Forestry Service and the Research Management Division of Alberta Environment. No evidence of impact on jack pine physiology was found when concentrations of the dominant pollutants from Oil Sands operations equivalent to 104 years of soluble disposition were added to intact soil cores. Evidence indicates that the surface litter layer or LFH horizon plays a dominant role in protecting both the mineral soil and established plants from pollutant effects either through an improved nutrient balance or by complexing the pollutants. Several major cations increase in solubility with the addition of SO4 and nutrient depletion may occur in field situations. Metal pollutants did not enhance the solubility of cations as has been reported elsewhere. The lichen Evernia mesomorpha responded to S02 at lower levels than reported elsewhere and demonstrated that it was indeed sensitive to this pollutant. Further work is required to clarify the response of this lichen's physiology and sulphur uptake during fumigation with S02.

Citation:

Addison, P. A., Khan A. A., L'Hirondelle S., & Theriault F. (1982). Impact of air pollutant mixtures on forest vegetation and soils. 28 pages . Abstract

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Impact of flocculation-based dewatering on the shear strength of oil sands fine tailings

Authors Beier, N., Wilson W., Dunmola A., & Sego D.

Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
The oil sands in northern Alberta have been mined to produce bitumen over the past five decades. Since the 1980s, technical advances have been made in mining, material handling, and bitumen extraction. However, acquiring practical methods to control and reduce the fluid fine tailings build-up has been an ongoing challenge. Recent regulatory changes have driven the industry to review current tailings-management techniques and investigate numerous alternative technologies and processes to manage and reclaim fine tailings. Many of these fine tailings–management techniques involve some form of polymer or chemical addition to promote dewatering and strength gain to meet the regulatory requirements. Based on the reported data, the chemically amended fine tailings deposits have the characteristics of sensitive, metastable deposits, necessitating additional mitigative measures by oil sands operators beyond the regulatory requirements. This paper explores the geotechnical aspects of meeting regulatory strength performance criteria by employing flocculation-based dewatering of fluid fine tailings.

Citation:

Beier, N., Wilson W., Dunmola A., & Sego D. (2013). Impact of flocculation-based dewatering on the shear strength of oil sands fine tailings. 50(9), 6 pages . Abstract

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Impact of ion exchange properties on the sedimentation properties oil sands mature fine tailings and synthetic clay slurries

Authors Donahue, R., Sego D., Burke B., Krahn A., Kung J., & Islam N.

Year of Publication: 2008

Citation:

Donahue, R., Sego D., Burke B., Krahn A., Kung J., & Islam N. (2008). Impact of ion exchange properties on the sedimentation properties oil sands mature fine tailings and synthetic clay slurries. 8 pages .

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Impact of oil-sands based wetlands on the growth of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ducklings

Authors Gurney, K. E., Williams T. D., Smits J. E., Wayland M., Trudeau S., & Bendell-Young L.

Year of Publication: 2005

Abstract:
Identifying the potential effects of industrially formed wetlands on waterfowl populations is important for assessing the suitability of such wetlands in industrial reclamation strategies. Mallard ducklings were held in situ on two industrially formed wetlands and one reference wetland in northern Alberta, Canada. Duckling mass and skeletal size were measured at regular intervals over 33 d, and blood was collected to investigate the analysis of plasma metabolites (triglyceride and glycerol) as an indicator of physiological condition. In repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), multivariate ANOVA, and subsequent multiple-comparisons tests, body mass and skeletal size were significantly lower in ducklings maintained on the industrial wetland after 2, 5, 9, and 13 d of exposure. In this situation, plasma metabolite analysis did not provide additional information on mass-independent condition. We conclude that if the observed differences in growth and size translate into a decreased survival of juvenile waterfowl inhabiting these wetlands, then populations of these birds in the area could be negatively affected. We emphasize the importance of field-based ecological research in toxicological studies of wildlife.

Citation:

Gurney, K. E., Williams T. D., Smits J. E., Wayland M., Trudeau S., & Bendell-Young L. (2005). Impact of oil-sands based wetlands on the growth of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ducklings. 24(2), 6 pages . Abstract

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Impact of ozonation pre-treatment of oil sands process-affected water on the operational performance of a GAC-fluidized bed biofilm reactor

Authors Islam, M. S., Dong T., McPhedran K. N., Sheng Z., Zhang Y., Liu Y., et al.

Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
Treatment of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) using biodegradation has the potential to be an environmentally sound approach for tailings water reclamation. This process is both economical and efficient, however, the recalcitrance of some OSPW constituents, such as naphthenic acids (NAs), require the pre-treatment of raw OSPW to improve its biodegradability. This study evaluated the treatment of OSPW using ozonation followed by fluidized bed biofilm reactor (FBBR) using granular activated carbon (GAC). Different organic and hydraulic loading rates were applied to investigate the performance of the bioreactor over 120 days. It was shown that ozonation improved the adsorption capacity of GAC for OSPW and improved biodegradation by reducing NAs cyclicity. Bioreactor treatment efficiencies were dependent on the organic loading rate (OLR), and to a lesser degree, the hydraulic loading rate (HLR). The combined ozonation, GAC adsorption, and biodegradation process removed 62 % of chemical oxygen demand (COD), 88 % of acid-extractable fraction (AEF) and 99.9 % of NAs under optimized operational conditions. Compared with a planktonic bacterial community in raw and ozonated OSPW, more diverse microbial communities were found in biofilms colonized on the surface of GAC after 120 days, with various carbon degraders found in the bioreactor including Burkholderia multivorans, Polaromonas jejuensis and Roseomonas sp.

Citation:

Islam, M. S., Dong T., McPhedran K. N., Sheng Z., Zhang Y., Liu Y., et al. (2014). Impact of ozonation pre-treatment of oil sands process-affected water on the operational performance of a GAC-fluidized bed biofilm reactor. 25(6), 12 pages . Abstract

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Impact of Paleozoic karst upon groundwater flow in the vicinity of the Athabasca oil sands

Authors Weyer, K. U., Machel H. G., & Ellis J. C.

Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
Extracting oil from the Athabasca Oil Sands requires abundant water supply, much of it from groundwater, and geological layers capable of receiving large amounts of injected waste water. Hence good understanding of geological structures and knowledge of the dynamics of existing regional groundwater flow systems and their response to the imposed stresses of water production and waste water injection is of paramount importance to successfully determine and manage any changes to the pattern of groundwater flow. The presentation outlines the existing groundwater flow systems affected by the ubiquitous karst in Paleozoic layers. The Paleozoic karst causes the low flow potential drain found by Hitchon (1969). This drain collects groundwater flow from the Cretaceous layers above and from deeper Paleozoic layers to discharge into the Athabasca River. The Devonian Grosmont Formation underlies the southwestern and northwestern part of the Cretaceous Athabasca Oil Sands. Permeabilities as high as 250 Darcy (2.5*10-3 m/sec) were measured in boreholes within this formation, which acts as a regional collector and transmitter of groundwater in the area of its occurrence. Heavy oil is already being extracted from the Cretaceous layers above the Paleozoic, creating a noticeable effect on the pattern of groundwater flow in the Grosmont Formation by water extraction and injection. In the future additional extraction operations will target the Grosmont Formation itself. Pronounced effects on the regional and local groundwater flow systems are anticipated for the area of the Wabasca Oil Sands, located between the Wabasca and Athabasca Rivers. To the east of the occurrence of the Grosmont Formation, karst in lower Paleozoic layers also collects and transmits groundwater flow from the Cretaceous and Paleozoic layers into the Athabasca and the Clearwater Rivers. Due to the geometrical configuration of these two main rivers there exist three additional major regional groundwater flow systems, one to the south of Ft. McMurray in the area of the Stony Mountain Uplands and two more to the north of Fort McMurray east and west of this stretch of the Athabasca River. All of these systems have already been subjected to substantial water extraction and waste water injection

Citation:

Weyer, K. U., Machel H. G., & Ellis J. C. (2014). Impact of Paleozoic karst upon groundwater flow in the vicinity of the Athabasca oil sands. Abstract

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Impact of peroxydisulfate in the presence of zero valent iron on the oxidation of cyclohexanoic acid and naphthenic acids from oil sands process-affected water

Authors Drzewicz, D., Perez-Estrada L., Alpatova A., Martin J. W., & Gamal El-Din M.

Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
Large volumes of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) are produced during the extraction of bitumen from oil sands in Alberta, Canada. The degradation of a model naphthenic acid, cyclohexanoic acid (CHA), and real naphthenic acids (NAs) from OSPW were investigated in the presence of peroxydisulfate (S2O82–) and zerovalent iron (ZVI). For the model compound CHA (50 mg/L), in the presence of ZVI and 500 mg/L S2O82–, the concentration decreased by 45% after 6 days of treatment at 20 °C, whereas at 40, 60, and 80 °C the concentration decreased by 20, 45 and 90%, respectively, after 2 h of treatment. The formation of chloro-CHA was observed during ZVI/S2O82– treatment of CHA in the presence of chloride. For OSPW NAs, in the presence of ZVI alone, a 50% removal of NAs was observed after 6 days of exposure at 20 °C. The addition of 100 mg/L S2O82– to the solution increased the removal of OSPW NAs from 50 to 90%. In absence of ZVI, a complete NAs removal from OSPW was observed in presence of 2000 mg/L S2O82– at 80 °C. The addition of ZVI increased the efficiency of NAs oxidation by S2O82– near room temperature. Thus, ZVI/S2O82– process was found to be a viable option for accelerating the degradation of NAs present in OSPW.

Citation:

Drzewicz, D., Perez-Estrada L., Alpatova A., Martin J. W., & Gamal El-Din M. (2012). Impact of peroxydisulfate in the presence of zero valent iron on the oxidation of cyclohexanoic acid and naphthenic acids from oil sands process-affected water. 46(16), 7 pages . Abstract

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Impact of petroleum coke characteristics on the adsorption of the organic fractions from oil sands process-affected water

Authors Pourrezaei, P., Alpatova A., Chelme-Ayala P., Perez-Estrada L. A., Jensen-Fontaine M., Le X. C., et al.

Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
Petroleum coke (PC) is a waste by-product generated during the oil upgrading processes by the petroleum industry. The continuing accumulation of large quantities of PC requires the development of innovative strategies for the effective utilization of this carbon-rich material. In this study, PC was used for the removal of naphthenic acids (NAs) and acid-extractable fraction (AEF) from oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), generated during the oil refining process. A systematic study on the adsorption of organic fractions, vanadium leaching from PC, adsorption mechanisms, and the effect of physico-chemical characteristics of the PC on adsorption process was performed. Physico-chemical properties of PC were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis. AEF and NAs removals of 60 and 75 %, respectively, were achieved at PC dose of 200 g/L after 16 h of contact. FT-IR and TGA analysis of PC suggested the physisorption of organic compounds onto the surface of PC. The calculated mean free energy of adsorption (E < 8 kJ/mol) also indicated the physisorption of organics to the PC surface. The hydrophobic interactions between the NAs and the PC were suggested as the dominant adsorption mechanisms. The vanadium release occurred when PC was mixed with OSPW and vanadium concentration increased with an increase in the PC dose. Speciation analysis indicated that the vanadium leached was predominantly vanadium (V) and insignificant amount of vanadium (IV) was also detected.

Citation:

Pourrezaei, P., Alpatova A., Chelme-Ayala P., Perez-Estrada L. A., Jensen-Fontaine M., Le X. C., et al. (2014). Impact of petroleum coke characteristics on the adsorption of the organic fractions from oil sands process-affected water. 11(7), 13 pages . Abstract

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Impact of polymeric membrane filtration of oil sands process water on organic compounds quantification

Authors Moustafa, A. M., Kim E. S., Alpatova A., Sun, N, Smith S., Kang S., et al.

Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
The interaction between organic fractions in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) and three polymeric membranes with varying hydrophilicity (nylon, polyvinylidene fluoride and polytetrafluoroethylene) at different pHs was studied to evaluate the impact of filtration on the quantification of acid-extractable fraction (AEF) and naphthenic acids (NAs). Four functional groups predominated in OSPW (amine, phosphoryl, carboxyl and hydroxyl) as indicated by the linear programming method. The nylon membranes were the most hydrophilic and exhibited the lowest AEF removal at pH of 8.7. However, the adsorption of AEF on the membranes increased as the pH of OSPW decreased due to hydrophobic interactions between the membrane surfaces and the protonated molecules. The use of ultra pressure liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC/HRMS) showed insignificant adsorption of NAs on the tested membranes at pH 8.7. However, 26±2.4% adsorption of NAs was observed at pH 5.3 following the protonation of NAs species. For the nylon membrane, excessive carboxylic acids in the commercial NAs caused the formation of negatively charged assisted hydrogen bonds, resulting in increased adsorption at pH 8.2 (25%) as compared to OSPW (0%). The use of membranes for filtration of soluble compounds from complex oily wastewaters before quantification analysis of AEF and NAs should be examined prior to application.

Citation:

Moustafa, A. M., Kim E. S., Alpatova A., Sun, N, Smith S., Kang S., et al. (2014). Impact of polymeric membrane filtration of oil sands process water on organic compounds quantification. 70 (5), 8 pages . Abstract

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Impact of recent technical developments on upgrading economics

Authors Padamsey, R.

Year of Publication: 1991

Citation:

Padamsey, R. (1991). Impact of recent technical developments on upgrading economics.

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Impact of reclamation of surface-mined boreal forest soils on microbial community composition and function

Authors Dimitriu, P. A., Prescott C. E., Quideau S. A., & Grayston S. J.

Year of Publication: 2010

Abstract:
Large-scale mining for oil extraction in the Canadian boreal forest has prompted the need to assess the effectiveness of reclamation strategies on key biotic components of reconstructed soil profiles. Capitalizing on a network of long-term monitoring plots, we evaluated how enzyme activities and microbial community composition responded to reclamation of surface-mined soil in the Athabasca oil sands region of northern Alberta. Bulk soil (organic and mineral horizons) was sampled from undisturbed boreal forest sites and from sites representing seven reclamation prescriptions applied 30 years ago. Microbial community composition of both bacteria and fungi was determined with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiling. Microbial function was assessed by measuring the activities of β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, phenoloxidase, peroxidase, phosphatase, chitinase, and urease. We found a general decrease in enzyme activities in reclaimed sites. Overburden (low-C) based prescriptions affected enzyme activities the most, causing a decrease in phenoloxidase activity (mineral horizon) in comparison to productive natural sites and an increase in β-glucosidase activity (organic horizon) in relation to nutrient-poor natural sites. Tailings-sand-based prescription enhanced microbial community dissimilarities with natural productive sites, although these were only evident with PLFA profiles. Effects of time-since-reclamation were not apparent, probably because they were masked by the larger influence of reclamation treatment. According to a principal components analysis of PLFA profiles, biomarker 18:1ω7c (Gram-negative) dominated in reclaimed sites and marker 18:1ω9c (fungi) was more abundant in natural sites. An increased fungal component in natural sites was presumably dominated by ectomycorrhizae, as suggested by sequencing of ITS regions. Non-parametric multivariate multiple regression indicated that the fungal-to-bacterial-biomass ratio largely explained the overall variation in PLFA profiles of reclaimed sites, whereas in natural sites soil nitrogen explained most of the community structure variability. Soil pH and woody debris accumulation emerged as significant explanatory variables when all sites were analyzed together. In contrast to PLFA profiles, DGGE profiles revealed significant regional-scale spatial structuring within reclaimed sites (organic horizon) and in natural sites (mineral horizon). Our results indicate that the response of abundant microbial populations to reclamation is likely governed by soil abiotic properties and, indirectly, by the effects of reclamation on plant growth.

Citation:

Dimitriu, P. A., Prescott C. E., Quideau S. A., & Grayston S. J. (2010). Impact of reclamation of surface-mined boreal forest soils on microbial community composition and function. 42(12), 8 pages . Abstract

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