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Plant species richness, composition, and soil chemistry parameters were assessed in wetlands and uplands in the oil sands region of northern Alberta. The concentrations of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in soil and plant samples collected from 2012-2014, and naphthenic acids (NAs) from soil collected in 2012. Vegetation surveys and a seedbank study showed that plant species richness and composition differed among study sites, with more species (many non-native) found at sampling sites located within close proximity to oil sands development and infrastructure compared to sites located further afield. PAH and metal concentrations in soil at sites near oil sands industrial development were generally higher than levels at sites located outside of the immediate surface mining area.

Plant health assessments and vegetation surveys are undertaken at both terrestrial and wetland sites in the oil sands region and in reference areas. Plant monitoring is being conducted for biodiversity and contaminants, and because plants are important both as wildlife habitat and as traditional-use species. Plant and soil samples are collected at monitoring sites near and at varying distances from oil sands operations. Plant tissues are being examined for levels of naphthenic acids (NAs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals.

Avian Health and Contaminants

Data on tree swallow clutch size and nestling weight, wing length, organ size, and measures of thyroid function were collected from study sites near active mine pits, tailings ponds and processing plants on oil sands leases in Alberta, and at relatively undisturbed reference sites south of Fort McMurray, Alberta. Analysis of the birds’ reproductive performance has revealed that neither hatching success nor fledging success differed between industrial and reference sites. PAHs, alkylated PAHs, and dibenzothiophenes were measured in tree swallow nestling tissues and fecal samples. Tree swallow nestlings on the industrial sites had higher or comparable PAH concentrations in both their muscle and fecal samples, compared to tree swallow nestlings on the reference sites.

Sediment from Lakes

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 47 elements including numerous metals, and visible reflectance spectroscopy or VRS-chla have been determined in sediment core samples collected in 2012, 2013 and 2014 from 16 small (surface area 4-97 ha; maximum depth ~1-5 m deep), hydrologically simple lakes located 30 to 120 km from major oil sands development areas. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) guidelines are available for 13 of the 53 PAHs reported here. Sediment concentrations did not exceed Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) probable effects levels (PELs), which define the level above which biological adverse effects are expected to occur, for PAHs in any lake. Exceedances of the CCME interim sediment quality guidelines (ISQG) for the protection of aquatic life occurred for 4 PAHs (naphthalene, 2-methyl naphthalene phenanthrene, and benzo(a)pyrene) in 8 lakes.

Atmospheric Contaminant Deposition using Snowpack

The data set includes snow samples (metals, water chemistry and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs]). Data from 2012-2014 snowpack samples collected from ~90-130 sites located varying distances from the major oil sands development area show deposition patterns and levels consistent with earlier studies carried out in 2008 (Kelly et al. PNAS, 2009 and 2010). As with earlier findings, concentrations of numerous metals, water chemistry parameters (Ni, Pb, Zn, V, La, Al, Fe, total Hg, methyl Hg, total suspended solids [TSS], particulate organic carbon [POC], particulate organic nitrogen [PON], total phosphorus [TP]) and PAHs decrease with distance from the major mining extraction and upgrading facilities.

Metals in Mallards (pooled 2013 collections)

Adult male mallards were collected in 2013 in the area surrounding five Alberta communities south of the Athabasca oil sands industrial region (Mayerthorpe, Barrhead, Lac La Biche, St. Paul and Vermilion) and from two communities north of the development area (Fort Chipewyan, Alberta and Fort Resolution, NWT). Liver samples from the mallards were analysed for chemicals of concern. While metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were often present in the livers of mallards, no obvious spatial patterns were detected. The observed concentrations are not likely posing a risk to these mallard populations.

This data collection contains air concentration data (in both gas and particle phases) of anthropogenic organic pollutants in air (AOPA). Some of the AOPAs in air reported in this data collection, are considered toxic substances (e.g. polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs; some flame retardants; and some organochlorine pesticides, OCs). These data come from monitoring sites in Canada.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are products of the incomplete combustion of materials such as coal, oil, gas, wood and charbroiled meat. They are a common airborne pollutant and often contaminate crops. PAHs can also form in food during thermal processing. This survey analyses the 4 most toxic PAHs, including: benzo[a]pyrene, which has been classified as “carcinogenic to humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as well as benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and chrysene, which have been classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans" by the IARC.

Concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Tailings Pond Water in the Oil Sands Region – September 2013

To evaluate evaporation from tailings ponds as a potential source of emissions of pollutants to air, bulk water samples were collected from 8 locations in two ponds at a single facility in the oil sands region over two days in September 2013. Chemical measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) were made. PAH data are reported for the sixteen species identified as priority pollutants by the US EPA. TPH refers to the total amount of hydrocarbon compounds.

This data collection contains precipitation concentration data of anthropogenic organic pollutants in precipitation (AOPP). Some of these AOPPs reported in this data collection are considered toxic substances (e.g. polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs; some flame retardants; and some organochlorine pesticides, OCs). For additional data on pollutants in air, also see the data collection of Anthropogenic Organic Pollutants in Air.