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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.

Planning for Canada's future oil sands pit lakes: An overview of the COSIA demonstration pit lakes project

Authors Vandenberg, J. A.
Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
Pit lakes are one of the most visible legacies of open pit mining that result from permanent modifications to pre-mining topography, hydrology and hydrogeology. The extraction of the non-traditional hydrocarbon resource bitumen from Alberta’s Athabasca Oil Sands using truck-and-shovel techniques will result in the development of 35 pit lakes within the next 50 years. These will be large permanent basins with surface areas ranging from 0.2 to 35 km2 and depths ranging from 5 to 42 m. Only one lake, Syncrude’s Base Mine Lake, presently exists. Stakeholders and regulators are concerned that concentrations of constituents such as naphthenic acids, PAHs, ammonia and chloride in lake water will impair the environmental function and social utility of these lakes. However, numerical models have predicted that, within a decade or two of filling, these lakes will become relatively benign systems with the capacity to sustain aquatic ecosystems and to be fully integrated within the Athabasca watershed. To improve our understanding of oil sands pit lake functions, a consortium of oil sands producers called Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) is considering developing a state-of-the-art research facility with three to four demonstration pit lakes, a dozen experimental ponds, and a smaller mesocosm and microcosm facility. The proposed demonstration pit lakes will be approximately 200 m in diameter and 20 m deep, will be constructed using oil sands waste materials and process waters representing proposed closure strategies, and will be monitored regularly for at least a decade. The DPL Project will include funding for external researchers (both Canadian and international) to conduct publishable research on specific knowledge gaps. On a global scale, this will be one of the first research initiatives from the petroleum-, metals-, coal-, uranium-, diamond-, or aggregate-mining sectors to physically test pit lake predictions on this scale in advance of lake formation. This presentation will review the content and status of the COSIA Demonstration Pit Lakes Project, and will highlight potential research opportunities.

Citation:
Vandenberg, J. A. (2014).  Planning for Canada's future oil sands pit lakes: An overview of the COSIA demonstration pit lakes project. Abstract
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Plant community environment and land-use data from oil sands reclamation and reference wetlands Alberta 2007-2009

Authors Rooney, R. C., Bayley S. E., & Raab D.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
Our goal was to evaluate the success of wetland reclamation efforts on oil sands mining company lease-holdings in Alberta, Canada. Already, 60200 ha of land have been disturbed by mining, and an additional 419800 ha will be mined in the future. Wetland reclamation efforts have been underway for 35 years, and current mine closure plans call for the construction of 15840 ha of wetland habitat. There are, however, no accepted criteria by which the Alberta Government can evaluate constructed wetlands. We employed the reference condition approach, comparing reclamation wetlands to appropriate natural analogues with plants as bioindicators of wetland condition. The data set includes 74 wetlands, spanning a range in salinity, nutrient levels, size, and degree of human disturbance. Reclamation wetlands include those contaminated with oil sands tailings (oil sands process affected, OSPA, n = 13) and those free from tailings (oil sands reference, OSREF, n = 12). In contrast, some natural wetlands are exposed to agricultural impacts (AG, n = 12), but the majority represent our least-disturbed condition (reference wetlands, REF, n = 37). The data set includes species relative abundance from plant communities in the wet meadow, emergent, and open-water vegetation zones. In addition, we measured water and sediment chemistry variables and physical variables to quantify local environmental conditions. We also quantified land use surrounding 45 of the wetlands in a series of nested buffers ranging from 300 m to 2000 m from the edge of each wetland's open-water zone. This data set represents the most comprehensive, publicly available data on reclamation wetlands from the lease areas of the two largest oil sands mining companies. It may be used to investigate changes in wetland plant community composition along both natural and human-caused environmental gradients, including contamination by oil sands mine tails. The data could also inform studies into the effects of surrounding land use on wetland plants and local-level environmental conditions. Information about reclamation wetlands could serve as a basis for tracking reclamation trajectories over time, whereas information about reference wetlands could be used to characterize natural variability in plant communities in shallow open-water wetlands from the Boreal Plains ecoregion.

Citation:
Rooney, R. C., Bayley S. E., & Raab D. (2011).  Plant community environment and land-use data from oil sands reclamation and reference wetlands Alberta 2007-2009. 92(2003),  Abstract
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Plant dewatering and strengthening of mine waste tailings

Authors Silva, M. J.
Year of Publication: 1999

Abstract:
Large volumes of mine waste tailings are generated yearly in Canada and around the world by the mining industry. After ore extraction, a slurry waste consisting of residual ore, water, sand, silt and fine clay particles is hydraulically transported and stored within surface tailings ponds. The fast-settling sand particles segregate from the slurry upon deposition at the edge of the tailings ponds while the finer fraction accumulates in the center of the pond. One of the major environmental issues associated with the contents of tailings ponds are their instability and incapability of supporting the weight of animals or machines for a long period of time. Reclamation of these tailings to a desired dry landscape will not be possible until the surface of the deposit is capable of supporting at least human traffic. The use of suitable plant species to dewater tailings has been identified as a mechanism, which can enhance the surface stability of these weak deposits. Plant species growing in high water content tailings have the ability to remove the water through evapotranspiration, ultimately increasing the matric suction in the deposit. This results in an increase in the shear strength and hence bearing capacity within the root zone. Furthermore, the plant root system provides fiber reinforcement, which also contributes to the increased bearing capacity of the rooted tailings. A two-phase greenhouse experiment was first conducted to identify the most suitable species for dewatering and reclamation of composite tailings (CT) from Alberta oil sands operated by Syncrude Canada Ltd. and copper mine tailings (CMT) from the Kennecott site. Five species proved to be the best candidates for future field dewatering research in CT: Altai wildrye ( Elymus angustus ), creeping foxtail (Alopecurus arundinaceus ), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea ), red top (Agrostis stolonifera ) and streambank wheatgrass ( Agropyron riparian ). Three species are recommended for further studies in CMT: Altai wildrye, creeping foxtail and smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis ). A theoretical approach for predicting the contributions to bearing capacity of tailings by the strength enhancement mechanisms of plants was developed. The theoretical model was used to simulate the results of a second greenhouse experiment using the recommended five species in CT as the growth medium. The model slightly over-predicted the surface settlement, but a good match was found in the trend. Good agreement was found between the measured and predicted solids content and bearing capacity profiles. The model was then used to make a Class A prediction of the field performance of reed canarygrass in a field CT deposit using climatic data from the Syncrude site and the physical properties of a recent field CT deposit.

Citation:
Silva, M. J. (1999).  Plant dewatering and strengthening of mine waste tailings. 271 pages. Abstract
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Plant dewatering and strengthening of tailings: Laboratory and computer simulations

Authors Silva, M. J., Biggar K. W., Sego D. C., Chanasyk D. S., & Naeth M. A.
Year of Publication: 1999

Citation:
Silva, M. J., Biggar K. W., Sego D. C., Chanasyk D. S., & Naeth M. A. (1999).  Plant dewatering and strengthening of tailings: Laboratory and computer simulations. 8 pages .
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Plant dewatering of tailings: A theoretical model

Authors Silva, M. J., Biggar K. W., Sego D. C., Chanasyk D. S., & Naeth M. A.
Year of Publication: 1998

Citation:
Silva, M. J., Biggar K. W., Sego D. C., Chanasyk D. S., & Naeth M. A. (1998).  Plant dewatering of tailings: A theoretical model. 2, 7 pages .
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Plant dewatering of tailings: Model validation

Authors Silva, M. J., Biggar K. W., Sego D. C., Chanasyk D. S., & Naeth M. A.
Year of Publication: 1998

Citation:
Silva, M. J., Biggar K. W., Sego D. C., Chanasyk D. S., & Naeth M. A. (1998).  Plant dewatering of tailings: Model validation. 2, 6 pages .
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Plant establishment for wetland reclamation: A review of plant establishment techniques and species tolerance for water level and salinity

Authors Cooper, D. J., Wolf E. C., & Gage E. A.
Year of Publication: 2006

Abstract:
This report provides a review of approaches to establish vascular plant species on wetland restoration and reclamation sites.

Citation:
Cooper, D. J., Wolf E. C., & Gage E. A. (2006).  Plant establishment for wetland reclamation: A review of plant establishment techniques and species tolerance for water level and salinity. 115 pages . Abstract
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Plant growth in four overburden types used in the reclamation of extracted oil sands

Authors Danielson, R. M., Visser S., & Parkinson D.
Year of Publication: 1983

Abstract:
Two shallow mineral overburdens, a deep mineral overburden and a peat over- burden from northern Alberta were examined to determine effects of each on the growth ofjack pine and slender wheatgrass. Plants were grown in the greenhouse in 30-cm-deep cores in which the overburdens were placed in either 5- or 15-cm- deep layers over oil sand tailings. For comparison with current reclamation prac- tices, cores containing a mixture of sand, peat and deep overburden were also used. The growth of slender wheatgrass was best in the peat and very poor in the deep overburden. Jack pine also grew very poorly in the deep overburden but reasonably well in the other three overburdens. There was extensive root devel- opment of both species in the sand layer beneath all four overburden types. In- creasing the depth of peat from 5 to 15 cm resulted in a decrease in the growth of both plants whereas increasing the depth of the mineral overburdens had favorable effects. The amount of available P was much higher in sand under the 5-cm layers than sand under the 15-cm layers. Iron and Mn uptake was suppressed with the thick layer of peat. Mixing 15 cm of peat with deep overburden and sand did not affect the growth of slender wheatgrass but reduced shoot production ofjack pine.

Citation:
Danielson, R. M., Visser S., & Parkinson D. (1983).  Plant growth in four overburden types used in the reclamation of extracted oil sands. 63(2), 8 pages . Abstract
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Plant growth on aggregated materials generated from oil sands operations

Authors Li, X., Feng Y., & Fung M.
Year of Publication: 2001

Citation:
Li, X., Feng Y., & Fung M. (2001).  Plant growth on aggregated materials generated from oil sands operations. 8 pages .
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Plant growth on aggregated oil sands processing residues

Authors Li, X., Storey J., Yeung P. Y. P., & Fung M. Y. P.
Year of Publication: 1996

Citation:
Li, X., Storey J., Yeung P. Y. P., & Fung M. Y. P. (1996).  Plant growth on aggregated oil sands processing residues. 2 pages .
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Plant physiology

Authors Mayo, J. M., Harter J. E., & Nelson S.
Year of Publication: 1976

Citation:
Mayo, J. M., Harter J. E., & Nelson S. (1976).  Plant physiology. 9 pages .
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Plant productivity soil microorganisms and soil nitrogen cycling in peat amendments used for oil sands reclamation

Authors Hemstock, S. S.
Year of Publication: 2008

Citation:
Hemstock, S. S. (2008).  Plant productivity soil microorganisms and soil nitrogen cycling in peat amendments used for oil sands reclamation.
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Plant species suitability for reclamation of oil sands consolidated tailings

Authors Naeth, M. A., & Wilkinson S. R.
Year of Publication: 2002

Citation:
Naeth, M. A., & Wilkinson S. R. (2002).  Plant species suitability for reclamation of oil sands consolidated tailings.
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Plasma protein profiles of white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) sampled from the Athabasca River upstream and downstream of oil sands development

Authors Simmons, D. B., & Sherry J. P.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Simmons, D. B., & Sherry J. P. (2013).  Plasma protein profiles of white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) sampled from the Athabasca River upstream and downstream of oil sands development. 1 page .
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Plucking the golden goose: Higher royalty rates on the oil sands generate significant increases in government revenue

Authors McKenzie, K. J.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
The Alberta government’s 2009 New Royalty Framework elicited resistance on the part of the energy industry, leading to subsequent reductions in the royalties imposed on natural gas and conventional oil. However, the oil sands sector, subject to different terms, quickly accepted the new arrangement with little complaint, recognizing it as win-win situation for industry and the government. Under the framework, Alberta recoups much more money in royalties — about $1 billion over the two year period of 2009 and 2010 — without impinging significantly on investment in the oil sands. This brief paper demonstrates that by spreading the financial risks and benefits to everyone involved, the new framework proves it’s possible to generate increased revenue without frightening off future investment. The same model could conceivably be applied to the conventional oil and natural gas sectors.

Citation:
McKenzie, K. J. (2011).  Plucking the golden goose: Higher royalty rates on the oil sands generate significant increases in government revenue. 3(3), 8 pages . Abstract
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Plume chemistry studies at a northern Alberta power plant

Authors Lusis, M. A., Anlauf K. G., Barrie L. A., & Wiebe H. A.
Year of Publication: 1978

Abstract:
The plume from the GCOS power plant chimney near Fort McMurray, Alberta was sampled by helicopter during a total of four weeks in February and June, 1977, with the primary aim of studying the rate of SO2 oxidation to sulfate particulates under various meteorological conditions. A double-filter system was used for the rate studies, and continuous SO2 and O3 analysers were also on board for some of the flights. The atmospheric temperature and relative humidity at plume height varied between −13 and 23°C, and 40 and 95% respectively. The field study also covered relatively large changes in solar intensity. The SO2 oxidation rate was found to be low during the February and early morning June flights — typically, less than 0.5% h−. Later in the day in June, appreciable oxidation was observed (approx. 1–3% h−). An ozone “bulge” was also noted downwind in the plume during several of these latter flights. The results suggest that photochemical processes play an important role in SO2 oxidation for this power plant plume.

Citation:
Lusis, M. A., Anlauf K. G., Barrie L. A., & Wiebe H. A. (1978).  Plume chemistry studies at a northern Alberta power plant. 12(12), 8 pages . Abstract
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Plume chemistry studies during 1980 in the Athabasca tar sands area

Authors Bottenheim, J. W.
Year of Publication: 1982

Citation:
Bottenheim, J. W. (1982).  Plume chemistry studies during 1980 in the Athabasca tar sands area. 24 pages .
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Plume dispersion measurements from an oil sands extraction plant June 1977

Authors Davison, D. S., & Grandia K. L.
Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
During June 1977, a plume survey field program was conducted about the Great Canadian Oil Sands (GCOS) site to determine the plume geometry and associated turbulent parameters. Airborne measurements were conducted by INTERA's research aircraft under various meteorological conditions co-ordinated with the June interagency field program. Four flights were selected for detailed analysis of plume geometry and turbulence characteristics. Analysis of the SO2 data included plume sigma and observed plume rise computation by several techniques, mass flux, and SO2 concentration isopleth analyses. Turbulence analyses included derivation of the environmental gust velocities and their time-domain statistics, autocorrelation analysis for integral scales, second-order structure function analysis for dissipation estimates, and spectral analysis. The turbulence data were applied to the statistical theory for lateral dispersion and gave remarkably good agreement except for the flight of 19 June. The vertical plume spread was not predicted well by the statistical theory. It was concluded that changes in integral scales, initial plume-induced turbulent mixing, and changes in stability with weight need to be simulated for reasonably accurate dispersion formulations.

Citation:
Davison, D. S., & Grandia K. L. (1979).  Plume dispersion measurements from an oil sands extraction plant June 1977. 225 pages . Abstract
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Plume dispersion measurements from an oil sands extraction plant, March 1976

Authors Davison, D. S., Fortems C. J., & Grandia K. L.
Year of Publication: 1976

Abstract:
During March 1976, a plume survey field program was conducted to determine the diffusion coefficients and turbulence parameters associated with the GCOS effluent plume. Airborne measurements were conducted under various meteorological conditions ranging from stable inversions to neutral stability cases. Five cases were selected for detailed analysis of plume geometry, mass flux calculations, and turbulence characteristics. Comparisons were made between observed plume structure and the Gaussian predicted profiles. Lateral and vertical plume spread was derived for each case and compared with the Pasquill-Gifford stability classes. Significant comparisons were made between observed diffusion estimates and the estimates of the standard deviations of the horizontal and vertical wind components.

Citation:
Davison, D. S., Fortems C. J., & Grandia K. L. (1976).  Plume dispersion measurements from an oil sands extraction plant, March 1976. 206 pages . Abstract
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Pollutant dispersion in the planetary boundary layer

Authors Kumar, A.
Year of Publication: 1978

Abstract:
Problems associated with the prediction of dispersion of pollutants in the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) are investigated using numerical modelling and the available experimental data. Main aim of this 'study was to produce sigmas for elevated releases and to improve our understanding of atmospheric dispersion especially the effects of : (i) elevated releases, (ii) cross-wind shear and (iii) surface roughness. A general model to estimate atmospheric dispersion coefficients for elevated releases and for varying atmospheric stability conditions is presented. The velocity field (PBL model) for the model is either empirically specified or numerically computed from a simplified form of the equations of motion. A set of \"new\" K-profiles is proposed to model atmospheric turbulence, based on recent experimental evidence and theoretical developments. Finite-difference schemes are used for simulation of the flow on a digital computer.

Citation:
Kumar, A. (1978).  Pollutant dispersion in the planetary boundary layer. 182 pages . Abstract
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Pollution deposition field study plan

Authors
Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
The following is a study plan report coupled with detailed cost estimates aimed at obtaining field data on scavenging of pollutants up to about 80 km from source. The program design is based on conclusions reached in \"Literature Review on Pollution Deposition Processes\" (LIROPP), as well as further evaluation of details in the literature. Discussions have also been held with AOSERP, Alberta Environment and Syncrude personnel, and other workers, e.g. Hales, who have carried out similar studies on deposition of pollutants from coal-fired generating stations. The study will be covered in this report in 3 phases: concept and preliminary design, detail planning and startup, and field operations. The logical order of this report is chronological and proceeds from general to specific details, therefore, some repetition may be encountered.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1979).  Pollution deposition field study plan. (Acres Consulting Services Limited, Ed.). 88 pages . Abstract
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Pollution prevention & control: Industrial initiatives in northern Alberta

Authors
Year of Publication: 2001

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2001).  Pollution prevention & control: Industrial initiatives in northern Alberta. (Alberta Environment, Ed.). 14 pages .
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Pollution survey summary: Athabasca River 1970-1971

Authors Simpson, K. J.
Year of Publication: 1971

Citation:
Simpson, K. J. (1971).  Pollution survey summary: Athabasca River 1970-1971. 22 pages .
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Polyacrylamide serves as a nitrogen source to stimulate methanogenesis in consortia from various wastewaters

Authors Haveroen, M. E., MacKinnon M. D., & Fedorak P. M.
Year of Publication: 2005

Abstract:
Polyacrylamides are widely used as flocculants to enhance clarification of drinking waters and domestic wastewaters, for stabilization of agricultural soils, and to aid in managing mine tailings. The flocs produced with polyacrylamide may be deposited into retention areas that become anaerobic. Although it is unlikely that the carbon backbone of these polymers would be cleaved by microbial activity, the amide group could serve as a nitrogen source for microorganisms. Previous studies have shown that aerobic bacteria utilize the nitrogen from polyacrylamide. This study assessed whether methanogenesis was stimulated when an anionic polyacrylamide (Magnafloc® LT27AG) was the sole fixed nitrogen source in serum-bottle microcosms. Microorganisms from two oil sands tailings sources, and a domestic anaerobic sewage sludge were used, with benzoate or acetate provided as carbon and energy sources. In each inoculum-substrate combination, the presence of polyacrylamide-enhanced methane production, indicating that polyacrylamide may stimulate microbial activities in anaerobic environments that are rich in fermentable carbon, but lack nitrogen sources.

Citation:
Haveroen, M. E., MacKinnon M. D., & Fedorak P. M. (2005).  Polyacrylamide serves as a nitrogen source to stimulate methanogenesis in consortia from various wastewaters. 39(14), 7 pages . Abstract
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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon deposition in the snowpack of the Athabasca oil sands region of Alberta Canada

Authors Cho, S., Sharma K., Brassard B. W., & Hazewinkel R.
Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
In the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) of Alberta, Canada, increased concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the regional ecosystems and downstream of oil sands development have been observed, presumably originating from various sources including those of oil sands and non-oil sands activities. In this study, we investigated the extent that oil sands activities contribute PAHs to the snowpack of the AOSR. The dominant groups of PAHs found in our snow samples were dibenzothiophenes, phenanthrenes/anthracenes, fluranthenes/pyrenes, chrysenes, and fluorenes. These PAHs were highly dominated by alkylated species, especially near oil sands operations. Aerial deposition of PAHs declined exponentially with increasing distance from the geographic center (GC), which was located close to Suncor and Syncrude’s oil sands operations. The higher aerial deposition at similar distances from GC in the N-S versus W-E directions reflects that PAH inputs from oil sands operations are clustered along the Athabasca River. Patterns of air parcel movements, derived from HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) modeling, closely matched patterns of aerial deposition, supporting that regional wind patterns influence the transport of PAHs emitted by oil sands operations in the AOSR. The source attribution techniques employed in this study revealed that sampling location influenced the characteristics of PAHs deposited. PAHs deposited at sites close to GC were associated with industrial activity, whereas the influences of other sources became increasingly apparent as distance increased from major oil sands areas.

Citation:
Cho, S., Sharma K., Brassard B. W., & Hazewinkel R. (2014).  Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon deposition in the snowpack of the Athabasca oil sands region of Alberta Canada. 225(5), 1 page . Abstract
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