Article
Forestry
Felix Nwaishi, Matthew Morison, Janina Plach, Merrin Macrae, Richard Petrone
Summary: Peatlands store carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and the stoichiometric relationship among them may be modified by ecosystem disturbances. This study investigates the stoichiometric ratios of C, N, and P in disturbed boreal forest peatlands in the Athabasca oil sands region. The results show differences in nutrient stoichiometric balance across and within peatlands, indicating the potential impact of landscape fragmentation on peatland nutrient stoichiometry.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
John G. Manchuk, Jean S. Birks, Cynthia N. McClain, Guy Bayegnak, John J. Gibson, Clayton V. Deutsch
Summary: Groundwater monitoring in the Athabasca region of Alberta, Canada, uses data from over 5000 wells to develop stable values for detecting changes in geochemistry over time and identifying candidate wells for continued observations. The study evaluates temporal anomalies, quantifies temporal variance, and assesses entropy of time series to determine wells near active industry lease boundaries that require further monitoring. Visual plots based on stable values provide valuable insights for regional mapping and detecting future changes.
NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Evan J. Wilcox, Brent B. Wolfe, Philip Marsh
Summary: Thermokarst lake water balances in the Arctic are vulnerable to climate change due to increasing air temperature and shifting precipitation patterns. A study in the tundra uplands of Canada found that lake and watershed properties play a role in mediating lakes' response to climate change. Through isotope analysis of 25 lakes, the study identified four distinct water balance phases and established a relationship between watershed area to lake area ratio (WA =LA) and the ratio of evaporation to inflow (E=I). The observed E=I ratios were relatively low and narrow, indicating that the lakes are not vulnerable to desiccation.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dane Blanchard, Julian Aherne, Paul Makar
Summary: The study found significant differences in water quality among lakes in the Athabasca oil sands region, where some lakes were affected by atmospheric deposition from oil sands operations leading to lower pH levels, while others were influenced by groundwater inputs showing better buffering capacity.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Olena Volik, Eric Kessel, Adam Green, Richard Petrone, Jonathan Price
Summary: This study assessed the actual evapotranspiration (ET) in different types of wetlands in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region using eddy covariance technique and environmental data. Results showed a significant influence of vegetation on water loss and observed a positive relationship between precipitation and potential evapotranspiration, with peak growing seasons exhibiting high daily ET variability.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joshua R. Thienpont, Zeyu Yang, Roland I. Hall, Brent B. Wolfe, Bruce P. Hollebone, Jules M. Blais
Summary: The research investigated the sources of environmentally significant petroleum hydrocarbons in the Peace-Athabasca Delta region, highlighting the potential use of petroleum biomarkers for identifying petroleum input.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philippe J. Thomas, David C. Eickmeyer, Kristin M. Eccles, Linda E. Kimpe, Emiel Felzel, Abraham Brouwer, Robert J. Letcher, Bruce D. Maclean, Laurie H. M. Chan, Jules M. Blais
Summary: Although the oil and gas industry in Northern Alberta has economic benefits, concerns exist over the impact of increased oil production on the environment and human health. This study linked chemical analysis of sediment cores with biological effect assessments, showing the feasibility of evaluating toxicity in river systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Olena Volik, Richard M. Petrone, Jonathan S. Price
Summary: Understanding the controls on soil respiration and litter decomposition rates in saline boreal fens can help in wetland reclamation in salt-affected post-mined landscapes. Water table depth and soil moisture were found to be important factors influencing soil respiration and litter decomposition rates in saline environments. Keeping a high and stable water table is crucial to reduce decomposition and promote organic matter accumulation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrzej Wnorowski, Yayne-abeba Aklilu, Tom Harner, Jasmin Schuster, Jean-Pierre Charland
Summary: This study characterized the concentrations and spatiotemporal patterns of ambient air polycyclic aromatic compounds in the Athabasca oil sands region between 2011 and 2015. Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were found to be the majority of PACs in air, with concentrations varying spatially and seasonally. PAC concentrations measured during wildfire events were the highest and enriched in higher molecular weight alk-PAHs.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kai Liu, Sherry L. Schiff, Lingling Wu, Lewis A. Molot, Jason J. Venkiteswaran, Michael J. Paterson, Richard J. Elgood, Jackson M. Tsuji, Josh D. Neufeld
Summary: Stable Fe isotopes in freshwater systems, especially in meromictic lakes, have recently been measured. This study focuses on two small dimictic boreal shield headwater lakes and reveals the large fractionations of 556Fe in dissolved, particulate, and sediment Fe, which have implications for biogeochemical cycling and acquisition of Fe by cyanobacteria in Earth's early ferruginous oceans.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ian J. Vander Meulen, Danna M. Schock, Fardausi Akhter, Lukas J. Mundy, Kristin M. Eccles, Catherine Soos, Kerry M. Peru, Dena W. McMartin, John V. Headley, Bruce D. Pauli
Summary: This study investigated the occurrence and characteristics of naphthenic acids (NAs) in boreal wetlands in the Athabasca oil sands region of Alberta, Canada. The results showed that NAs in surface waters were mainly derived from oil sands deposits, but similar patterns were also observed in undeveloped natural wetlands.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Olga V. Churakova (Sidorova), Trevor J. Porter, Mikhail S. Zharkov, Marina Fonti, Valentin V. Barinov, Anna Taynik, Alexander Kirdyanov, Anastasya A. Knorre, Martin Wegmann, Tatyana Trushkina, Nataly N. Koshurnikova, Eugene A. Vaganov, Vladimir S. Myglan, Rolf T. W. Siegwolf, Matthias Saurer
Summary: This study analyzed stable isotopes in tree rings from Canada and found that summer air temperature plays a crucial role in determining tree ring isotope variability. The study also identified the effects of precipitation, relative humidity, vapor pressure deficit, and sunshine duration on tree ring isotopes. By combining multiple stable isotopes in tree ring studies, a comprehensive description of climate variability in boreal regions can be achieved.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
J. J. Gibson, P. Eby, S. J. Birks, C. Twitchell, C. Gray, J. Kariyeva
Summary: This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the water balance of wetlands in Alberta, Canada, including the oil sands region. By incorporating climate reanalysis, watershed data, and isotopic data, the study reveals systematic variations in evaporation losses, runoff, groundwater inflow, and wetland discharge across different subregions. The findings provide valuable insights for water resource management and ecological conservation in the region.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Sarah Irvine, Scott J. Davidson, Jonathan S. Price, Maria Strack
Summary: The study investigated the DOC fluxes in a constructed fen in 2015 and 2016, finding that vegetation production is the main source of DOC concentration, while precipitation and runoff inputs have minimal impact on the quality of DOC present in the fen, with minimal DOC export from the fen.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Olena Volik, Richard Petrone, Eric Kessel, Adam Green, Jonathan Price
Summary: The study assessed the variability of water-use efficiency in different types of peatlands in the Athabasca oil sands region, finding that WUE increases under wetter conditions but is offset by a decrease in air temperature. Wildfire has a negative effect on WUE.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marie-Claude Roy, Ermias T. Azeria, David Locky, John J. Gibson
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Jagoda Crawford, Cecilia S. Azcurra, Catherine E. Hughes, John J. Gibson, Stephen D. Parkes
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2019)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chengwei Wan, Kai Li, Sichen Shen, J. J. Gibson, Kaifang Ji, Peng Yi, Zhongbo Yu
JOURNAL OF RADIOANALYTICAL AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chengwei Wan, J. J. Gibson, Sichen Shen, Yi Yi, Peng Yi, Zhongbo Yu
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chengwei Wan, John J. Gibson, Daniel L. Peters
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Water Resources
Rajiv N. Tanna, Michael C. Moncur, S. Jean Birks, John J. Gibson, Carol J. Ptacek, Bernhard Mayer, Michael E. Wieser, Fred J. Wrona, Kelly R. Munkittrick
WATER QUALITY RESEARCH JOURNAL OF CANADA
(2020)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
John G. Manchuk, Jean S. Birks, Cynthia N. McClain, Guy Bayegnak, John J. Gibson, Clayton V. Deutsch
Summary: Groundwater monitoring in the Athabasca region of Alberta, Canada, uses data from over 5000 wells to develop stable values for detecting changes in geochemistry over time and identifying candidate wells for continued observations. The study evaluates temporal anomalies, quantifies temporal variance, and assesses entropy of time series to determine wells near active industry lease boundaries that require further monitoring. Visual plots based on stable values provide valuable insights for regional mapping and detecting future changes.
NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
J. J. Gibson, T. Holmes, T. A. Stadnyk, S. J. Birks, P. Eby, A. Pietroniro
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
John J. Gibson, Sandra Jean Birks, Michael C. Moncur, Amy Vallarino, Caren Kusel, Mikaela Cherry
Summary: Hydrology and geochemistry studies were conducted in the Athabasca Oil Sands region to assess the potential for nitrogen transport between adjacent terrain units. Results indicate that nitrogen exchange has minor or negligible influence on critical loads across the regional landscape.
Article
Water Resources
J. J. Gibson, T. Holmes, T. A. Stadnyk, S. J. Birks, P. Eby, A. Pietroniro
Summary: The study conducted a comprehensive analysis of stable isotopic composition in gauged watersheds across Canada and presented a watershed-based assessment of vapour and runoff partitioning. The research applied an isotope-based methodology to estimate evaporation/inflow and transpiration/evapotranspiration, revealing systematic variations in water loss mechanisms across different hydrometric regions of Canada. A new water loss classification was introduced to categorize the dominant water loss mechanisms in different watersheds.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Janie Masse-Dufresne, Florent Barbecot, Paul Baudron, John Gibson
Summary: Isotope mass balance models have shown significant development in assessing hydrological processes, emphasizing the importance of groundwater and surface water inputs in lakes, and providing insights for water quality variations and management strategies.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
J. J. Gibson, P. Eby, T. A. Stadnyk, T. Holmes, S. J. Birks, A. Pietroniro
Summary: This study measured oxygen-18 and deuterium in streamflow samples collected from 331 gauging stations across Canada, providing a large dataset that can be used for water resource management and planning, such as tracing streamflow source, water balance, and early detection of climate change.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
J. J. Gibson, Y. Yi, S. J. Birks
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
J. J. Gibson, S. J. Birks, M. C. Moncur
Article
Water Resources
J. J. Gibson, S. J. Birks, M. Moncur
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2019)