Sand Mining Sites Research Articles

Detecting oil sands process-affected waters in the Alberta oil sands region using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy

Large volumes of oil sands process-affected waters (OSPW) are produced during the extraction of bitumen from oil sand. There are approximately 10 9 m 3 of OSPW currently being stored in settling basins on oil sands mining sites in Northern Alberta. Developers plan to create artificial lakes with OSPW and it is expected that this water may eventually enter the environment. This study was conducted in order to determine if synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) could detect OSPW contamination in water systems. Water samples collected from ponds containing OSPW and selected sites in the Alberta oil sands region were evaluated using SFS with an offset value of 18 nm. OSPW ponds consistently displayed a minor peak at 282.5 nm and a broad major peak ranging between 320 and 340 nm. Water from reference sites within the oil sands region had little fluorescence at 282.5 nm but greater fluorescence beyond 345 nm. Naphthenic acids are the major toxic component of OSPW. Both a commercial naphthenic acid and a naphthenic acid extract prepared from OSPW had similar fluorescent spectra with peaks at 280 nm and 320 nm and minor shoulders at approximately 303 and 331 nm. The presence of aromatic acids closely associated with the naphthenic acids may be responsible for unique fluorescence at 320–340 nm. SFS is proposed to be a simple and fast method to monitor the release of OSPW into ground and surface waters in the oil sands region.

Examining the Microbial Degradation of Naphthenic Acids Using Stable Isotope Analysis of Carbon and Nitrogen

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are a complex group of naturally occurring oil sands constituents that constitute a significant portion of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool available for microbial degradation in the process-related waste water asso- ciated with oil sands mine sites. One approach to understanding the biological fate of oil sands process- derived carbon and nitrogen in aquatic reclamation of the mine sites involves the use of stable isotope analyses. However, for stable isotope analyses to be useful in such field-based assessments, there is a need to determine how microbial degradation of a complex mixture of NAs might change the stable isotope values (δ 13 C, δ 15 N). In batch cultures and semi- continuous laboratory microcosms, utilization of a commercial mixture of NAs by oil sands-derived microbial cultures resulted in microbial biomass that was similar or slightly 13 C enriched (1.4‰ to 3.0‰) relative to the DOC source, depending on the length of incubation. Utilization of a NA-containing extract of oil sands processed water resulted in greater 13 C enrichment of microbial biomass (8.5‰) relative to the DOC source. Overall, the δ 13 C of the DOC comprised of complex mixtures of NAs showed minimal change (−0.5‰ to −0.1‰) during the incubation period whereas the δ 13 C of the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was more variable (−5.0‰ to +5.4‰). In tests where the concentration of available nitrogen was increased, the final biomass values were 15 N enriched (3.8‰ to 8.4‰) relative to the initial biomass. The isotope trends established in this study should enhance our ability to interpret field-based data from sites with hydrocarbon contamination, particularly in terms of carbon source utilization and 15 N enrichment.

Reproductive, immune, and physiological end points in tree swallows on reclaimed oil sands mine sites

AbstractWild nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) inhabiting reclaimed wetlands receiving tailings or water from mine tailings ponds on oil sands mine sites were the subjects in a multiyear study to determine the ecological viability of these areas. Spanning two field seasons, immune function, reproductive performance (clutch size and mass, hatching success), nestling growth and survival, and diet of tree swallows were examined on six wetlands. One aspect of immune function, the T‐lymphocyte proliferative response, was assessed in vivo using a phytohemagglutinin skin test. Hepatic ethoxyresorufin‐O ‐deethylase (EROD) activityprovided a biomarker of exposure to oil sands contaminants in the tree swallow nestlings. Results show that there were no differences among reclaimed wetland sites for tree swallow reproductive success, nestling growth rate, and immune response that could be attributed to tailings or tailings pond water additions. Increased EROD activity confirmed the presence of xenobiotics in the diets of nestlings from two sites, while the main reference site was relatively free of EROD‐inducing compounds. Dietary analyses showed that 84% of the food items of the tree swallow nestlings were of aquatic origin, likely from the local wetlands, and thus would be expected to provide a good reflection of biological effects of any mining‐related contaminants accumulating through the food chain.

Late autumn and early winter sowings increase survival of native plant species in rehabilitated mine sites in the Western Australian Kwongan

ABSTRACT Optimum sowing times were examined for 17 native plant species in rehabilitated mineral sands mine sites at Eneabba in the Western Australian Kwongan (115°20'E, 29°30'S) from 1982 to 1988. In 1987 and 1988 a superphosphate fertiliser was applied to half of the treatment plots. From 1982-1986, best survival was recorded for May, June and July sowings. However, seedlings from sowings in February, March and April were taller and showed a larger number of leaves than seedlings which resulted from sowings during the later months of the year. For most species survival greatly varied with the year of sowing and was likely affected by several factors, among them low rain fall and high temperatures during summer, and predation. Establishment of seedlings benefited from the application of superphosphate as fertiliser only for one of seven species (Neurachne alopecuroidea).

The use of diatoms in monitoring the development of created wetlands at a sandmining site in Western Australia

The use of diatoms in monitoring the development of created wetlands at a sandmining site in Western Australia

Attitudinal Responses to Voice Mail

A voice mail (VM) system was pilot tested at a Canadian tar sand mining site. User responses were generally favorable, indicating that training and usage aids were effective, favoring continuation of VM, and identifying improved intershift communication as an important advantage.