title: Biostimulation of Oil Sands Process-Affected Water with Phosphate Yields Removal of Sulfur-Containing Organics and Detoxification.
abstract: The ability to mitigate toxicity of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) for return into the environment is an important issue for effective tailings management in Alberta, Canada. OSPW toxicity has been linked to classical naphthenic acids (NAs), but the toxic contribution of other acid-extractable organics (AEOs) remains unknown. Here, we examine the potential for in situ bioremediation of OSPW AEOs by indigenous algae. Phosphate biostimulation was performed in OSPW to promote the growth of indigenous photosynthetic microorganisms and subsequent toxicity and chemical changes were determined. After 12 weeks, the AEO fraction of phosphate-biostimulated OSPW was significantly less toxic to the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe than unstimulated OSPW. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) analysis of the AEO fraction in phosphate-biostimulated OSPW showed decreased levels of SO3 class compounds, including a subset that may represent linear arylsulfonates. A screen with S. pombe transcription factor mutant strains for growth sensitivity to the AEO fraction or sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate revealed a mode of toxic action consistent with oxidative stress and detrimental effects on cellular membranes. These findings demonstrate a potential algal-based in situ bioremediation strategy for OSPW AEOs and uncover a link between toxicity and AEOs other than classical NAs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, and ‡PRG, Department of Geosciences, University of Calgary , 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta Canada T2N 1N4.
authors.forename: Dean M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Quesnel
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, and ‡PRG, Department of Geosciences, University of Calgary , 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta Canada T2N 1N4.
authors.forename: Thomas B P
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Oldenburg
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, and ‡PRG, Department of Geosciences, University of Calgary , 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta Canada T2N 1N4.
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Larter
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, and ‡PRG, Department of Geosciences, University of Calgary , 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta Canada T2N 1N4.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Gieg
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, and ‡PRG, Department of Geosciences, University of Calgary , 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta Canada T2N 1N4.
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chua
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D000416:Alberta; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D001557:Benzenesulfonates / Q000633:toxicity; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D061329:Oil and Gas Fields; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000633:toxicity; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D012568:Schizosaccharomyces / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis*; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010710:Phosphates; D013455:Sulfur; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C001114:dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid