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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.

OSESG's role in oil sands land reclamation

Authors Fedkenheuer, A. W.
Year of Publication: 1982

Citation:
Fedkenheuer, A. W. (1982).  OSESG's role in oil sands land reclamation. 12 pages .
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OSLO project mine planning

Authors Schmidt, W. H.
Year of Publication: 1989

Citation:
Schmidt, W. H. (1989).  OSLO project mine planning. 17 pages .
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OSLO project update

Authors Lynn, J. R.
Year of Publication: 1989

Citation:
Lynn, J. R. (1989).  OSLO project update. 11 pages .
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OSLO project update & upgrader technology selection

Authors Dowdle, L. D.
Year of Publication: 1989

Citation:
Dowdle, L. D. (1989).  OSLO project update & upgrader technology selection. 12 pages .
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Osmometric studies of selected treated and untreated oil sand tailings

Authors Hakin, A. W., & Duke M. M.
Year of Publication: 1993

Citation:
Hakin, A. W., & Duke M. M. (1993).  Osmometric studies of selected treated and untreated oil sand tailings. 12 pages .
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Our fair share: report of the Alberta Royalty Review Panel to the Hon. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Finance, 18 September 2007

Authors Hunter, W. M.
Year of Publication: 2007

Abstract:
Albertans do not receive their fair share from energy development. The royalty rates and formulas have not kept pace with changes in the resource base and world energy markets. Albertans own the resource. The onus is on their government to re-balance the royalty and tax system so that a fair share is collected. This must be done within an equitable and flexible administrative framework that maintains Alberta's competitive edge for energy investment.

Citation:
Hunter, W. M. (2007).  Our fair share: report of the Alberta Royalty Review Panel to the Hon. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Finance, 18 September 2007. Abstract
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Outcomes of the government of Alberta's energy regulators Earth Observation workshop

Authors Shipman, T.
Year of Publication: 2012

Citation:
Shipman, T. (2012).  Outcomes of the government of Alberta's energy regulators Earth Observation workshop. 1 page .
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Outlook on oil sands #1 - Canada's unique opportunity

Authors
Year of Publication: 1987

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1987).  Outlook on oil sands #1 - Canada's unique opportunity. (Alberta Chamber of Resources, Oil Sands Task Force, Ed.). 10 pages .
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Outlook on oil sands #2 - Canada's unique opportunity

Authors
Year of Publication: 1988

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1988).  Outlook on oil sands #2 - Canada's unique opportunity. (Alberta Chamber of Resources, Oil Sands Task Force, Ed.). 17 pages .
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Overview of environmental regulatory regime related to Alberta oil sands activities

Authors
Year of Publication: 2010

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2010).  Overview of environmental regulatory regime related to Alberta oil sands activities. (Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Ed.). 9 pages .
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Overview of local economic development in the Athabasca oil sands region since 1961

Authors
Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
This study was commissioned to review the economic evolution of the Athabasca Oil Sands region since 1961. The research involved, first, the identification, review, and analysis of existing data sources and that information is included in an annotated bibliography. The existing information base was supplemented with additional data tabulation and field research, including interviews with various individuals in industry and government, as a means of filling some of the more important data deficiencies. The report examines the economy of the AOSERP study area and traces some of the more important changes that have occurred since major oil sands development began. Particular emphasis is devoted to the Fort McMurray area, where much of the regional economic development has centered. The results of the research are organized into sections dealing with regional industrial development, population, employment, housing, and incomes and prices. Following those sections, more generalized comments regarding the impacts of growth are discussed. Appendix 10.1 includes an analysis of historical growth in the local business sectors of Fort McMurray and Fort Chipewyan.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1979).  Overview of local economic development in the Athabasca oil sands region since 1961. (Peter C. Nichols & Associates Ltd., Ed.). 237 pages . Abstract
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Overview of water quality in the Muskeg River basin July 1972 to March 2001

Authors McEachern, P., & Noton L.
Year of Publication: 2002

Abstract:
The Muskeg River and its tributaries have been sampled by Alberta Environment between 1972 and 2001. The purpose of this report is to summarize this data, interpret water quality conditions and controlling factors, check for any trends in water quality over the long term, and assess whether any effects of oil sands development are apparent. The intent is to make a scientific contribution to the knowledge and understanding of the Muskeg River system, and of potential oil sands development effects, in view of the level of development proposed for this basin.

Citation:
McEachern, P., & Noton L. (2002).  Overview of water quality in the Muskeg River basin July 1972 to March 2001. 91 pages . Abstract
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Overview of wildlife habitats west of the Syncrude plant site Lease #17

Authors Harvey, J. M.
Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
This study involved evaluation of the habitat for mammals and birds in the area from the proposed tailings pond west to the MacKay River, through identification and mapping of land cover types from aerial photographs and estimation of wildlife populations from existing data. The study was completed between June and September 1977. The study area is a relatively uniform mix of young trembling aspen and open muskeg. These early successional stages support a dense growth of underbrush species of shrubs, forbs and grasses in the timbered areas and large expanses of Labrador tea, sedges and marsh plants in the muskeg. Black spruce cover is starting to develop on parts of the muskegs, while white spruce has not yet begun to enter the aspen forests. Although the early successional nature of the area provides excellent habitat for some species (moose, ruffed grouse and some furbearers), the lack of large water bodies largely precludes the occurrence of waterfowl, gulls, pelicans, cranes and small shorebirds. Muskrat and otter also are seldom seen. The absence of mature conifer stands similarly reduces the value of the area to spruce grouse, red squirrels, fisher, marten and lynx. To the extent that the area does not appear to include any rare or endangered species and the habitats in the area are common to a large portion of Northern Alberta, it can be stated that the area is not critical to any wildlife species.

Citation:
Harvey, J. M. (1979).  Overview of wildlife habitats west of the Syncrude plant site Lease #17. 27 pages . Abstract
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Oxidation of nitric oxide controlled by turbulent mixing in plumes from oil sands extraction plants

Authors Cheng, L., Peake E., Rogers D., & Davis A.
Year of Publication: 1986

Abstract:
Results are presented of airborne measurements taken in oil sands extraction plant plumes in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. Measurements with fast response monitors at a high sampling rate illustrate the narrow reaction zone in the plume caused by a turbulent diffusion reaction of NO to NO2 as suggested by theoretical and laboratory studies. The measured conversion rates of NO to NO2 varied considerably from day to day, from 0.2 to 21.4% min−. Analysis of the oxidation rate of NO to NO2 and of the atmospheric turbulence parameter reveals that, over the distances and time scales within which the plumes are distinguishable from the background, the nitrogen oxides chemistry in the plumes is controlled by the rates at which the plumes mix with the ambient air (containing ozone), rather than by chemical kinetics.

Citation:
Cheng, L., Peake E., Rogers D., & Davis A. (1986).  Oxidation of nitric oxide controlled by turbulent mixing in plumes from oil sands extraction plants. 20 (9), 6 pages . Abstract
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Oxygen conditions in the Athabasca River system with emphasis on winters 1990-93

Authors Noton, L. R., & Allan D.
Year of Publication: 1994

Abstract:
This report presents the findings of dissolved oxygen monitoring and surveys on the Athabasca River system in the years 1990-93. Dissolved oxygen has been monitored by means longitudinal synoptic surveys, recording oxygen meters, and a network of regular sampling sites.

Citation:
Noton, L. R., & Allan D. (1994).  Oxygen conditions in the Athabasca River system with emphasis on winters 1990-93. 59 pages . Abstract
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Ozonation and biodegradation of oil sands process water

Authors Wang, N.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
To ensure oil sands process water (OSPW) is suitable for discharge into the environment, advanced water treatment technologies are required. In this study, integrated ozonation-biodegradation was investigated as a potential treatment option for OSPW. The treatment efficiency was evaluated in terms of naphthenic acid (NA) degradation, chemical oxygen demand (COD), carbonaceous Biological oxygen demand (CBOD), and acute toxicity reduction. Degradation of NAs of more than 99% was achieved using a semi-batch ozonation system at a utilized ozone dose of 80 mg/L combined with subsequent biodegradation. The results also show that ozone decreased the amount of COD while increasing the biodegradability of COD. It was noted that the carbon number and number of NA rings influenced the level of NA oxidation. With a utilized ozone dose of approximately 100 mg/L, the ozonated and biodegraded treated OSPW showed no toxic effect towards bacterium Vibrio fischeri. The results of this study indicate that integrated ozonation-biodegradation is a promising treatment technology for OSPW.

Citation:
Wang, N. (2011).  Ozonation and biodegradation of oil sands process water. 91 pages . Abstract
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Ozonation attenuates the steroidogenic disruptive effects of sediment free oil sands process water in the H295R cell line

Authors He, Y., Wiseman S. B., Zhang X., Hecker M., Jones P. D., Gamal El-Din M., et al.
Year of Publication: 2010

Abstract:
There is concern regarding oil sands process water (OSPW) produced by the oil sands industry in Alberta, Canada. Little is known about the potential for OSPW, and naphthenic acids (NAs), which are the primary persistent and toxic constituents of OSPW, to affect endocrine systems. Although ozonation significantly reduces concentrations of NAs and OSPW toxicity, it was hypothesized that oxidation of OSPW might produce hydroxylated products with steroidogenic activity. Therefore, untreated and ozone treated OSPW were examined for effects on sex steroid production using the H295R Steroidogenesis Assay. Untreated OSPW significantly decreased testosterone (T) and increased 17β-estradiol (E2) concentrations at OSPW dilutions greater or equal to 10-fold. This effect was mainly due to decreased E2 metabolism. Analysis of CYP19A (aromatase) mRNA abundance and enzyme activity suggested that induction of this enzyme activity may have also contributed to these effects. Reduction of parent NA concentrations by 24% or 85% decreased the effect of OSPW on E2 production. Although T production remained significantly reduced in cells exposed to ozone treated OSPW, the effect was diminished. Aromatase mRNA abundance and enzyme activity were significantly greater in cells exposed to ozone treated OSPW, however the magnitude was less than in cells exposed to untreated OSPW. No change of E2 metabolism was observed in cells exposed to ozone treated OSPW, which may account for recovery of E2 levels. The results indicate that OSPW exposure can decrease E2 and T production, but ozonation is an effective treatment to reduce NA concentrations in OSPW without increasing affects on steroidogenesis.

Citation:
He, Y., Wiseman S. B., Zhang X., Hecker M., Jones P. D., Gamal El-Din M., et al. (2010).  Ozonation attenuates the steroidogenic disruptive effects of sediment free oil sands process water in the H295R cell line. 80(5), 6 pages . Abstract
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Ozonation degrades all detectable organic compound classes in oil sands process-affected water; an application of high-performance liquid chromatography/obitrap mass spectrometry

Authors Pereira, A. S., Islam S. M., El-Din M. G., & Martin J. W.
Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
Surface mining of bitumen in Northern Alberta, Canada, results in large volumes of toxic oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) that must be contained in tailings ponds. Ozonation has shown great promise as an OSPW treatment process, by decreasing its toxicity and increasing its biodegradability, but the effect of ozonation on the thousands of dissolved organic chemical groups has not yet been examined. METHODS: Reversed-phase liquid chromatography with ultrahigh-resolution linear ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry was applied to the characterization of treated (utilized ozone doses of 20 and 50 mg O3/L) and untreated OSPW. The analysis was performed in positive and negative electrospray ionization modes for each sample (ESI(+)/ESI(-)). RESULTS: Semi-quantitative analysis of ozonated and unozonated samples allowed degradation to be monitored for naphthenic acids (i.e. O2 species in ESI(-) mode) and >2000 other organic species belonging to various heteroatom-containing classes: Ox (where x = 1 to 6), NOx (where x = 1 to 4), SOx (where x = 1 to 4), NO2 S, N, and S. No chlorinated byproducts were detected in any treated sample, but at the low dose (20 mg O3/L) some compound classes increased in abundance (e.g. the O5 class), indicating that they were formed as byproducts at faster rates than they were degraded. Nevertheless, all organic compound classes subsequently diminished at the higher dose (50 mg O3/L). For several Ox and SOx classes, species observed in ESI(+) mode (e.g. O2(+) species) were often more recalcitrant to ozonation than the corresponding species detected in ESI(-) mode (e.g. O2(-) species; naphthenic acids). CONCLUSIONS: Ozonation appears to be a very suitable treatment option for OSPW, but the more recalcitrant groups of compounds may help to explain the residual toxicity of ozonated OSPW. Analysis of OSPW constituents in both ionization modes is warranted in all future OSPW fate studies.

Citation:
Pereira, A. S., Islam S. M., El-Din M. G., & Martin J. W. (2013).  Ozonation degrades all detectable organic compound classes in oil sands process-affected water; an application of high-performance liquid chromatography/obitrap mass spectrometry. 27(21), 9 pages . Abstract
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Ozonation of oil sands process water removes naphthenic acids and toxicity

Authors Scott, A. C., Zubot W., MacKinnon M. D., Smith D. W., & Fedorak P. M.
Year of Publication: 2008

Abstract:
Naphthenic acids are naturally-occurring, aliphatic or alicyclic carboxylic acids found in petroleum. Water used to extract bitumen from the Athabasca oil sands becomes toxic to various organisms due to the presence of naphthenic acids released from the bitumen. Natural biodegradation was expected to be the most cost-effective method for reducing the toxicity of the oil sands process water (OSPW). However, naphthenic acids are poorly biodegraded in the holding ponds located on properties leased by the oil sands companies. In the present study, chemical oxidation using ozone was investigated as an option for mitigation of this toxicity. Ozonation of sediment-free OSPW was conducted using proprietary technology manufactured by Seair Diffusion Systems Inc. Ozonation for 50 min generated a non-toxic effluent (based on the Microtox bioassay) and decreased the naphthenic acids concentration by ∼70%. After 130 min of ozonation, the residual naphthenic acids concentration was 2 mg l−1: <5% of the initial concentration in the filtered OSPW. Total organic carbon did not change with 130 min of ozonation, whereas chemical oxygen demand decreased by ∼50% and 5-d biochemical oxygen demand increased from an initial value of 2 mg l−1 to a final value of 15 mg l−1. GC–MS analysis showed that ozonation resulted in an overall decrease in the proportion of high molecular weight naphthenic acids (n ⩾ 22).

Citation:
Scott, A. C., Zubot W., MacKinnon M. D., Smith D. W., & Fedorak P. M. (2008).  Ozonation of oil sands process water removes naphthenic acids and toxicity. 71(1), 4 pages . Abstract
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Ozonation of oil sands process-affected water accelerates microbial bioremediation

Authors Martin, J. W., Barri T., Han X., Fedorak P. M., Gamal El-Din M., Perez L., et al.
Year of Publication: 2010

Abstract:
Ozonation can degrade toxic naphthenic acids (NAs) in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), but even after extensive treatment a residual NA fraction remains. Here we hypothesized that mild ozonation would selectively oxidize the most biopersistent NA fraction, thereby accelerating subsequent NA biodegradation and toxicity removal by indigenous microbes. OSPW was ozonated to achieve approximately 50% and 75% NA degradation, and the major ozonation byproducts included oxidized NAs (i.e., hydroxy- or keto-NAs). However, oxidized NAs are already present in untreated OSPW and were shown to be formed during the microbial biodegradation of NAs. Ozonation alone did not affect OSPW toxicity, based on Microtox; however, there was a significant acceleration of toxicity removal in ozonated OSPW following inoculation with native microbes. Furthermore, all residual NAs biodegraded significantly faster in ozonated OSPW. The opposite trend was found for ozonated commercial NAs, which are known to contain no significant biopersistent fraction. Thus, we suggest that ozonation preferentially degraded the most biopersistent OSPW NA fraction, and that ozonation is complementary to the biodegradation capacity of microbial populations in OSPW. The toxicity of ozonated OSPW to higher organisms needs to be assessed, but there is promise that this technique could be applied to accelerate the bioremediation of large volumes of OSPW in Northern Alberta, Canada.

Citation:
Martin, J. W., Barri T., Han X., Fedorak P. M., Gamal El-Din M., Perez L., et al. (2010).  Ozonation of oil sands process-affected water accelerates microbial bioremediation. 44(21), 6 pages . Abstract
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Ozone treatment ameliorates oil sands process water toxicity to the mammalian immune system

Authors Garcia-Garcia, E., Ge J. Q., Oladiran A., Montgomery B., El-Din M. G., Perez-Estrada L. C., et al.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
We evaluated whether ozonation ameliorated the effects of the organic fraction of oil sands process water (OSPW) on immune functions of mice. Ozonation of OSPW eliminated the capacity of its organic fraction to affect various mouse bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) functions in vitro. These included the production of nitric oxide and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, the production of reactive oxygen intermediates and the expression of NADPH oxidase subunits, phagocytosis, and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes. Ozone treatment also eliminated the ability of OSPW organic fraction to down-regulate the expression of various pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine genes in the liver of mice, one week after oral exposure. We conclude that ozone treatment may be a valuable process for the remediation of large volumes of OSPW.

Citation:
Garcia-Garcia, E., Ge J. Q., Oladiran A., Montgomery B., El-Din M. G., Perez-Estrada L. C., et al. (2011).  Ozone treatment ameliorates oil sands process water toxicity to the mammalian immune system. 45(18), 8 pages . Abstract
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Ozone treatment of naphthenic acids in Athabasca oil sands process-affected water

Authors Fu, H., Gamal El-Din M., Smith D. W., MacKinnon M. D., & Zubot W.
Year of Publication: 2008

Citation:
Fu, H., Gamal El-Din M., Smith D. W., MacKinnon M. D., & Zubot W. (2008).  Ozone treatment of naphthenic acids in Athabasca oil sands process-affected water. 3 pages .
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Ozone-assisted settling of diluted oil sands mature fine tailings: A mechanistic study

Authors Liang, J., Tumpa F., Estrada L. P., Gamal El-Din M., & Liu Y.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
The accumulation of mature fine tailings (MFT) in tailings ponds with very slow natural consolidation rate has been a concern for decades. Previous studies and current practices for tailings consolidation focus on the addition of various inorganic and organic additives to reduce MFT production and accumulation. It is highly desirable to develop more efficient and effective techniques for MFT consolidation to reduce the potential environmental impacts of oil sands tailings. In this study, the performance and mechanisms of a novel ozone-assisted MFT dewatering method were evaluated. MFT with different solids contents were ozonated for 15, 30, and 60 minutes to determine the optimal ozonation treatment conditions for MFT consolidation. The volume and turbidity of release water, and the solids content of settled sludge (i.e., solids) were measured to evaluate the performance of ozone on MFT consolidation. MFT initial settling curves were developed by monitoring the change of the water and sludge interface positions over time. To investigate the surface interaction mechanisms involved in the process, major ions of MFT release water and the surface charge of MFT fine particles were characterized. Specifically, these parameters included pH, ion concentrations, acid extractable fraction (AEF) concentration of MFT release water, zeta potentials, and surface functional groups of fine particles. Additional experiments were performed to investigate the roles of pH and ion concentrations in ozone assisted MFT consolidation. Our results showed that ozonation treatment effectively accelerated diluted MFT particle settling at all treatment conditions tested in this study. MFT quickly settled after short (15 minute) ozonation treatment, leaving clear brown water and compact settled sludge. The volume and turbidity of release water and the solids content of settled sludge were comparable at 1 wt% MFT under different ozonation times (15, 30 and 60 minutes). At 3 wt% and 5 wt% MFT, a longer ozonation time improved MFT settling. Therefore, we conclude that the ozonation time needed for MFT settling varied depending on the solids content of MFT suspensions. Additional studies showed that the ozone-accelerated settling of MFT particles probably results from a change in MFT particle surface properties and the weakening of repulsive forces among fine particles through at least four mechanisms: (1) the desorption of stabilized organic matter on MFT surfaces, which reduces the steric or electrostatic stabilizing effects among fine particles; (2) the release of organic acids (such as oxalic and acetic acids) into the water, which decreases the pH of the MFT suspensions and neutralizes MFT surface charges; (3) ozone breakage of organometallic complexes in MFT, leading to the release of oxidized metal ions such as Fe2+, Mn2+, and Al3+ that can act as coagulants; and, (4) an increase in cations and carboxylic groups that facilitate the generation of metal humate complexes, leading to an accelerated precipitation of fine particles. Compared to the chemical additives currently used or studied to accelerate MFT consolidation, ozone-based processes have several advantages: (1) The process is economical because even a low ozone dose appears to be sufficient to destabilize tailings fine particles; (2) The process is environmentally friendly because ozone decomposes rapidly; and (3) The excess ozone can decompose organic compounds in tailings and thus improve the water quality. Despite the promise observed in the present study, a cost analysis and a life cycle analysis should be performed to determine the feasibility of this treatment process. The effectiveness of ozonation treatment for undiluted MFT settling should be evaluated. The toxicity of the release water should be evaluated to examine the environmental impact of the process. Additional research on the long-term impact of ozone-assisted MFT settling processes on MFT reclamation is also needed.

Citation:
Liang, J., Tumpa F., Estrada L. P., Gamal El-Din M., & Liu Y. (2011).  Ozone-assisted settling of diluted oil sands mature fine tailings: A mechanistic study. 43 pages . Abstract
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PAH bioaccumulation and export by dipterans in wetlands of the Alberta oil sands

Authors Ganshorn, K. D., & Ciborowski J. J. H.
Year of Publication: 2001

Citation:
Ganshorn, K. D., & Ciborowski J. J. H. (2001).  PAH bioaccumulation and export by dipterans in wetlands of the Alberta oil sands. 77 pages .
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PAH sediment studies in Lake Athabasca and the Athabasca River ecosystem and the Mackenzie River ecosystem: Natural sources and the impacts of oil sands development

Authors Evans, M. S., Davies M., De Boer D., McEachern P., Keating J., & Lockhart W. L.
Year of Publication: 2008

Citation:
Evans, M. S., Davies M., De Boer D., McEachern P., Keating J., & Lockhart W. L. (2008).  PAH sediment studies in Lake Athabasca and the Athabasca River ecosystem and the Mackenzie River ecosystem: Natural sources and the impacts of oil sands development.
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