title: Localized enrichment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil, spruce needles, and lake sediments linked to in-situ bitumen extraction near Cold Lake, Alberta.
abstract: The extraction of bitumen from the Alberta oil sands using in-situ technologies is expanding at a rapid rate; however, investigations into the environmental impacts of oil sands development have focused on surface mining in the Athabasca region. We measured polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in soils, spruce needles, and lake sediment cores in the Cold Lake oil sands region to provide a historical and spatial perspective on PAH contamination related to in-situ extraction activities. A pronounced increase in PAH concentrations was recorded in one of two study lakes (Hilda Lake) corresponding to the onset of commercial bitumen production in ~1985. Distance from extraction rigs was not an important predictor of PAH concentrations in soils, although two samples located near installations were elevated in alkyl PAHs. Evidence of localized PAH contamination in Hilda Lake and two soil samples suggests that continued environmental monitoring is justified to assess PAH contamination as development intensifies.
authors: 30 Marie Curie Pvt, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: jennifer.korosi@gmail.com.
authors: J B
authors: JB
authors: Korosi
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Irvine
authors: E K
authors: EK
authors: Skierszkan
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Doyle
authors: L E
authors: LE
authors: Kimpe
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Janvier
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Blais
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000737:chemistry; D060106:Lakes; D008906:Mining; D061329:Oil and Gas Fields; D028222:Picea / Q000737:chemistry; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C006647:asphalt
keywords: Alberta oil sands; Alkyl PAHs; Cold Lake; In-situ bitumen extraction; Paleolimnology