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Repository of the Athabasca River Basin

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.

Laboratory-based nitrogen mineralization and biogeochemistry of two soils used in oil sands reclamation

Authors MacKenzie, M. D., & Quideau S. A.

Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
In the Athabasca oil sands region of Alberta, Canada, peat mineral and upland forest floor mineral soils are salvaged and stockpiled for reclamation. Previous work showed that sites reclaimed with forest floor mineral soil had better understory regeneration and nitrogen dynamics more similar to naturally disturbed ecosystems. Both soils and a mixture of the two were compared in laboratory incubations by examining nitrogen mineralization (over 45 wk) and factorial fertility additions (4 wk trial with NPK) on microbial community structure and nutrient availability. Nitrogen mineralization indicated forest floor mineral soil had lower release rates and a higher estimated labile nitrogen pool than peat mineral soil. Nitrogen mineralization in mixed soil started like peat mineral soil and finished like forest floor mineral soil. Fertility additions influenced microbial community structure less than soil type. Multi-response permutation procedure indicated the forest floor mineral soil microbial community was significantly different from peat mineral and mixed soil communities. Control nutrient profiles differed from those with added NPK. Forest floor mineral soil retained nitrogen as ammonium, while peat mineral and mixed soils were nitrate dominated. Reclamation will require all soil types to be used and these data will help determine soil placement prescriptions.

Citation:

MacKenzie, M. D., & Quideau S. A. (2012). Laboratory-based nitrogen mineralization and biogeochemistry of two soils used in oil sands reclamation. 92(1), 11 pages . Abstract

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Labour market segmentation in Fort McMurray, Alberta

Authors Krahn, H. J.

Year of Publication: 1983

Abstract:
Doctoral thesis. Addresses three questions: 1. Has the development of the Athabasca oil sands provided improved employment opportunities for migrants to Ft. McMurray? 2. Have these opportunities been equally distributed among the various stratas of society? 3. What are the attitudinal outcomes of participation in the local labour market? // Alberta Environment, Research Management Division provided a research grant to study labour market segmentation and the survey data used in this study were collected in a study funded by AOSERP project

Citation:

Krahn, H. J. (1983). Labour market segmentation in Fort McMurray, Alberta. 277 pages . Abstract

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Labour markets and rent dissipation

Authors Smith, K.

Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:

Smith, K. (2013). Labour markets and rent dissipation. 2, 4 pages .

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Lac La Biche - Fort McMurray development activity November 1984

Authors Cook, R. B.

Year of Publication: 1984

Citation:

Cook, R. B. (1984). Lac La Biche - Fort McMurray development activity November 1984. 32 pages .

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Lake acidification potential in the Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Research Program study area

Authors Hesslein, R. H.

Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
Numerous lakes in Scandinavia and eastern North America have been damaged by acidic precipitation induced by anthropogenic oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. On first approximation, lakes near present oil sands operations would not be susceptible to acidification due to buffering provided by their sedimentary setting. However, due to the planned increases in oil sands developments along with increased regional outputs of oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, a definitive study with the objective of assessing the susceptibility of nearby lakes to acidification was desired. Accordingly this study was initiated in 1976.

Citation:

Hesslein, R. H. (1979). Lake acidification potential in the Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Research Program study area. 36 pages . Abstract

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Lake whitefish spawning study below Vermilion Chutes on the Peace River, October, 1992

Authors Patalas, J. W.

Year of Publication: 1993

Abstract:
Report of a study designed to estimate the munber of lake whitefish and other species utilizing the study area (Vermillion chutes on the Peace River in northern Alberta) during the fall, to identify spawning areas and the time of spawn, and to evaluate the overall egg production and its significance in terms of recruitment to the fish populations in the Peace River and Lake Athabasca.

Citation:

Patalas, J. W. (1993). Lake whitefish spawning study below Vermilion Chutes on the Peace River, October, 1992. (Northern River Basins Study (Canada), R. L. & L. Environmental Services Ltd., Ed.). Abstract

Download: 0-662-21353-X.pdf (7.6 MB)

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Land and water impacts of oil sands production in Alberta

Authors Jordaan, S. M.

Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
Expansion of oil sands development results not only in the release of greenhouse gas emissions, but also impacts land and water resources. Though less discussed internationally due to to their inherently local nature, land and water impacts can be severe. Research in key areas is needed to manage oil sands operations effectively; including improved monitoring of ground and surface water quality. The resulting information gap means that such impacts are not well understood. Improved analyses of oil sands products are required that compare land and water use with other transportation fuel pathways and use a regional perspective so local effects can be considered and mitigated.

Citation:

Jordaan, S. M. (2012). Land and water impacts of oil sands production in Alberta. 46(7), 6 pages . Abstract

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Land capability classification for forest ecosystems in the oil sands 2006 edition

Authors Leskiw, L. A., & McLean A. R.

Year of Publication: 2006

Citation:

Leskiw, L. A., & McLean A. R. (2006). Land capability classification for forest ecosystems in the oil sands 2006 edition. 11 pages .

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Land capability classification for forest ecosystems in the oil sands region

Authors Leskiw, L. A.

Year of Publication: 1998

Citation:

Leskiw, L. A. (1998). Land capability classification for forest ecosystems in the oil sands region. 78 pages .

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Land capability classification system for forest ecosystems in the oil sands 3rd edition. Volume 1: Field manual for land capability determination

Authors

Year of Publication: 2006

Abstract:
The goal of reclamation in Alberta is to achieve land capability equivalent to that which existed prior to disturbance. The Land Capability Classification System for Forest Ecosystems manual (LCCS) is a working document intended to facilitate evaluation of land capabilities for forest ecosystems on natural and reclaimed lands in the Athabasca oil sands region, as required by Alberta's Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) approvals, and by current Alberta Environment terms of reference for Environmental Impact Assessments.

Citation:

[Anonymous] (2006). Land capability classification system for forest ecosystems in the oil sands 3rd edition. Volume 1: Field manual for land capability determination. (Alberta Environment, Ed.). 148 pages . Abstract

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Land reclamation using oil sand processing tailings: A field study

Authors Fung, M.

Year of Publication: 1999

Abstract:
In the reclamation and restoration of disturbed land by oil sand mining operations, a major challenge is the re-establishment of self-sustaining ecosystems. The possibility was explored of using oil sands processing tailings as reclamation materials for the disturbed lands, in which an aggregation method developed in laboratory and greenhouse experiments was successfully applied to field conditions. It is possible to create, on a preliminary basis, the plant growth medium using these tailings, but the presence of salts in the reclamation material is the major obstacle to the re-establishment of vegetation on the reclaimed site. There is a need for future research to concentrate on the selection of salt tolerant plant species, as well as the development of methods to reduce salt levels in the soil profiles.

Citation:

Fung, M. (1999). Land reclamation using oil sand processing tailings: A field study. Abstract

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Land reclamation using oil sand processing tailings: Phase 2: Field study site establishment

Authors Fung, M.

Year of Publication: 1999

Citation:

Fung, M. (1999). Land reclamation using oil sand processing tailings: Phase 2: Field study site establishment. 8 pages .

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Land reclamation using oil sands processing tailings

Authors Li, X., & Fung M.

Year of Publication: 1998

Citation:

Li, X., & Fung M. (1998). Land reclamation using oil sands processing tailings. 7 pages .

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Land stewardship collaboration in the boreal forest of the Canadian oil sands

Authors Reid, J., MacConnachie P., Hughesman W., Forkheim T., Billey T., & Shopik T.

Year of Publication: 2012

Citation:

Reid, J., MacConnachie P., Hughesman W., Forkheim T., Billey T., & Shopik T. (2012). Land stewardship collaboration in the boreal forest of the Canadian oil sands. 13 pages .

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Land use greenhouse gas emissions from conventional oil production and oil sands

Authors Yeh, S., Jordann S. M., Brandt A. R., Turestsky M. R., Spatari S., & Keith D. W.

Year of Publication: 2010

Abstract:
Debates surrounding the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from land use of biofuels production have created a need to quantify the relative land use GHG intensity of fossil fuels. When contrasting land use GHG intensity of fossil fuel and biofuel production, it is the energy yield that greatly distinguishes the two. Although emissions released from land disturbed by fossil fuels can be comparable or higher than biofuels, the energy yield of oil production is typically 2−3 orders of magnitude higher, (0.33−2.6, 0.61−1.2, and 2.2−5.1 PJ/ha) for conventional oil production, oil sands surface mining, and in situ production, respectively). We found that land use contributes small portions of GHGs to lifecycle emissions of California crude and in situ oil sands production (<0.4% or <0.4 gCO2e/MJ crude refinery feedstock) and small to modest portions for Alberta conventional oil (0.1−4% or 0.1−3.4 gCO2e/MJ) and surface mining of oil sands (0.9−11% or 0.8−10.2 gCO2e/MJ). Our estimates are based on assumptions aggregated over large spatial and temporal scales and assuming 100% reclamation. Values on finer spatial and temporal scales that are relevant to policy targets need to account for site-specific information, the baseline natural and anthropogenic disturbance.

Citation:

Yeh, S., Jordann S. M., Brandt A. R., Turestsky M. R., Spatari S., & Keith D. W. (2010). Land use greenhouse gas emissions from conventional oil production and oil sands. 44(22), 6 pages . Abstract

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Land use region economic indicators: Lower Athabasca region

Authors and Education, E. A.

Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
Includes Inventory of major projects as of September 2013, establishments with employees (business register) and Investment in the Lower Athabasca region.

Citation:

and Education, E. A. (2013). Land use region economic indicators: Lower Athabasca region. Abstract

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Land use region economic indicators: Upper Athabasca region

Authors and Education, E. A.

Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
Includes Inventory of major projects as of September 2013, establishments with employees (business register) and Investment in the Upper Athabasca region.

Citation:

and Education, E. A. (2013). Land use region economic indicators: Upper Athabasca region. Abstract

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Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2005 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors

Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area, Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and collection of the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. For this digital data release, a land use and land cover classification dataset was derived from 2005 Landsat multispectral imagery for the Cold Lake Oil Sands area. The classification contains 13 classes: 0 - unclassified, 1 - exposed land/cut blocks/harvested areas, 2 - water bodies, 3 - transitional bare surfaces, 5 - mixed developed areas, 6 - developed areas, 7- shoal, 8 - shrub land, 9 - grassland, 10 - agriculture areas, 11 - coniferous forest, 12 - broad leaf forest, 13 - mixed forest, and 14- fire scar. These categories can be used as baseline data for planning, managing and monitoring surface infrastructure needs and impacts.

Citation:

[Anonymous] (2009). Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2005 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract

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Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2006 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors

Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area, Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and collection of the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. This land classification raster dataset is derived from 2006 Landsat imagery. It contains 13 classes: 0 - unclassified, 1 - exposed land/cut blocks/harvested areas, 2 - water bodies, 3 - transitional bare surfaces, 5 - mixed developed areas, 6 - developed areas, 7- shoal, 8 - shrub land, 9 - grassland, 10 - agriculture areas, 11 - coniferous forest, 12 - broad leaf forest, 13 - mixed forest, and 14- fire scar.

Citation:

[Anonymous] (2009). Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2006 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract

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Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2007 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors

Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area, Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and collection of the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. This land classification raster dataset is derived from 2007 Landsat imagery. It contains 13 classes: 0 - unclassified, 1 - exposed land/cut blocks/harvested areas, 2 - water bodies, 3 - transitional bare surfaces, 5 - mixed developed areas, 6 - developed areas, 7- shoal, 8 - shrub land, 9 - grassland, 10 - agriculture areas, 11 - coniferous forest, 12 - broad leaf forest, 13 - mixed forest, and 14- fire scar.

Citation:

[Anonymous] (2009). Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2007 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract

Full record

Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2008 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors

Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area, Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and collection of the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. This land classification raster dataset is derived from 2008 Landsat imagery. It contains 13 classes: 0 - unclassified, 1 - exposed land/cut blocks/harvested areas, 2 - water bodies, 3 - transitional bare surfaces, 5 - mixed developed areas, 6 - developed areas, 7- shoal, 8 - shrub land, 9 - grassland, 10 - agriculture areas, 11 - coniferous forest, 12 - broad leaf forest, 13 - mixed forest, and 14- fire scar.

Citation:

[Anonymous] (2009). Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2008 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract

Full record

Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2009 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors

Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area, Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and collection of the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. This land classification raster dataset is derived from 2009 Landsat imagery. It contains 13 classes: 0 - unclassified, 1 - exposed land/cut blocks/harvested areas, 2 - water bodies, 3 - transitional bare surfaces, 5 - mixed developed areas, 6 - developed areas, 7- shoal, 8 - shrub land, 9 - grassland, 10 - agriculture areas, 11 - coniferous forest, 12 - broad leaf forest, 13 - mixed forest, and 14- fire scar.

Citation:

[Anonymous] (2009). Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2009 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract

Full record

Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2010 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors

Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area, Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and collection of the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. This land classification raster dataset is derived from 2010 Landsat imagery. It contains 13 classes: 0 - unclassified, 1 - exposed land/cut blocks/harvested areas, 2 - water bodies, 3 - transitional bare surfaces, 5 - mixed developed areas, 6 - developed areas, 7- shoal, 8 - shrub land, 9 - grassland, 10 - agriculture areas, 11 - coniferous forest, 12 - broad leaf forest, 13 - mixed forest, and 14- fire scar.

Citation:

[Anonymous] (2009). Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2010 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract

Full record

Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2011 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors

Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area, Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and collection of the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. This land classification raster dataset is derived from 2011 Landsat imagery. It contains 13 classes: 0 - unclassified, 1 - exposed land/cut blocks/harvested areas, 2 - water bodies, 3 - transitional bare surfaces, 5 - mixed developed areas, 6 - developed areas, 7- shoal, 8 - shrub land, 9 - grassland, 10 - agriculture areas, 11 - coniferous forest, 12 - broad leaf forest, 13 - mixed forest, and 14- fire scar.

Citation:

[Anonymous] (2009). Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2011 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract

Full record

Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2012 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format)

Authors

Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The Cold Lake oil sands area, Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and collection of the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. This land classification raster dataset is derived from 2012 Landsat imagery. It contains 13 classes: 0 - unclassified, 1 - exposed land/cut blocks/harvested areas, 2 - water bodies, 3 - transitional bare surfaces, 5 - mixed developed areas, 6 - developed areas, 7- shoal, 8 - shrub land, 9 - grassland, 10 - agriculture areas, 11 - coniferous forest, 12 - broad leaf forest, 13 - mixed forest, and 14- fire scar.

Citation:

[Anonymous] (2009). Land-use/Land-cover Classifications of the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area Derived from 2012 Landsat Imagery (Image data, Tiff format). Abstract

Full record

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