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
Environmental Sciences
Lucie M. J. Levesque, Julie Roy, Nancy E. Glozier, Leah Dirk, Colin A. Cooke
Summary: The Canada-Alberta Oil Sands Monitoring Program has been conducting long-term surface water quality monitoring on the lower Athabasca River since 2012. The program found that the presence of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in the river, especially in the oil sands mineable area, is mainly influenced by mining activities.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yifeng Zhang, William Shotyk, Rick Pelletier, Claudio Zaccone, Tommy Noernberg, Gillian Mullan-Boudreau, Jonathan W. Martin
Summary: With industrial development in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) in northern Alberta, the atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has increased. The main source of PAHs to moss in the region is the deposition of particles from the atmosphere. PAH concentrations in the near-field AOSR sites were significantly higher than those in the far-field AOSR sites or reference sites in Alberta. The major sources of PAHs in the AOSR were estimated to be delayed petcoke and fine tailings. Dust control measures should be considered to protect human and environmental health, especially in the northern quadrant of the AOSR.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maryam Moradi, Yuan You, Hayley Hung, James Li, Richard Park, Nick Alexandrou, Samar G. Moussa, Liisa Jantunen, Rachelle Robitaille, Ralf M. Staebler
Summary: This study for the first time assessed the emissions of PACs from the Suncor Tailings Pond 2/3 in Alberta, confirming volatilization fluxes of PACs using three different models. The findings highlight the necessity of gathering data from other tailings ponds to determine their contributions to PAC emissions to the atmosphere.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Abdul Samad, Gervais Pelletier, Armand Seguin, Dani Degenhardt, Douglas G. Muench, Christine Martineau
Summary: This study used RNA sequencing to investigate the effects of different types of oil sands tailings (OST) on gene expression in willow. The results showed that some genes responded universally, while others responded specifically to different types of OST. Genes related to detoxification, transport, and stress response were identified. The expression of certain genes could be used as a biosensor to distinguish plants exposed to different OST stresses. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing OST capping and vegetation restoration technologies.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Colin A. Cooke, Paul E. Drevnick
Summary: Mountaintop removal coal mining has negative impacts on downstream ecosystems by delivering nutrients, ions, and heavy metals. This study shows that it also affects ecosystems downwind and releases polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs).
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wynona H. Klemt, Robert B. Brua, Joseph M. Culp, Keegan Hicks, Brent B. Wolfe, Roland Hall
Summary: Sediment metal concentrations in the Lower Athabasca River have been monitored since 1997, with most metals below the baseline level except for chromium in some samples. Predevelopment baselines are crucial for environmental monitoring and pollution control in the Alberta Oil Sands Region.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexandre P. J. Salat, Kim L. Williams, Suzanne Chiu, David C. Eickmeyer, Linda E. Kimpe, Jules M. Blais, Doug Crump
Summary: Increases in oil sands mining operations have led to higher concentrations of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in nearby aquatic systems. Sediment cores from lakes near and far from mining sites showed variations in PAC concentrations and compositions. The avian in vitro bioassay was effective in evaluating the toxicity of complex PAC extracts from sediment cores.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tijana Vasiljevic, Narumol Jariyasopit, Jasmin K. Schuster, Tom Harner
Summary: The study revealed that concentrations of NPAHs and OPAHs in the ambient air of the Alberta Oil Sands Region were relatively low, with the highest concentrations found in areas associated with extensive mining activities. The seasonal trend investigation yielded inconclusive results, with NPAHs slightly higher during the winter and OPAHs slightly elevated during the summer. Comparisons with measurements in the Greater Toronto Area indicated a similar range of concentrations but also pointed to the unique presence of certain NPAHs in the AOSR, suggesting the need for better understanding of their toxicity and propensity for long range transport.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joy McGrath, Gordon Getzinger, Aaron D. Redman, Melanie Edwards, Alberto Martin Aparicio, Eleni Vaiopoulou
Summary: This study examined the applicability of the TLM model to heterocyclic aromatic compounds and found that adjusting the coefficient could successfully describe the toxicity of these compounds. Heterocyclic compounds exhibit higher affinity and toxicity, possibly due to the role of hydrogen bonding accepting moieties.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matthew Coulas, Christopher Parsons, Saraswati Saraswati, Maria Strack
Summary: Comparison between the constructed fen and reference fens shows that decomposition of plant tissue is significantly slower in the constructed fen, possibly due to nutrient limitation suppressing microbial activity. There was little evidence that mulch or planting treatments at the constructed fen altered short-term litter decomposition rate, suggesting future research should focus on differences in biomass production between species and strategies for peat accumulation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brandi S. Echols
Summary: This study aimed to quantitatively determine the toxicity of oil remaining in sediment from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and found that less than 13% of toxicity tests on benthic species showed toxicity. There was no clear relationship between toxicity test results, oiling category, or measured total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Abdulla Al Mamun, Leiming Zhang, Fuquan Yang, Irene Cheng, Xin Qiu
Summary: This study used a deposition modeling framework to generate gridded dry, wet, and total deposition fluxes of 27 particulate elements over the Canadian Athabasca oil sands region and its surrounding areas for the years 2016-2017. The deposition of individual elements was primarily governed by their respective concentrations and wet deposition was the dominant deposition type in the region. The total deposition decreased rapidly within a short distance from the oil sands mining area.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jamie M. Dearnley, Charles Killeen, Rebecca L. Davis, Vince P. Palace, Gregg T. Tomy
Summary: This article reviews the metabolism and toxicity of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in fish and presents various methods for analyzing metabolite-containing bile. Recent environmental monitoring studies demonstrate the utility of this technique in assessing oil spill pollution, establishing baseline exposure, and evaluating pollution in urban waterways.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
William Shotyk
Summary: This study summarizes ten misunderstandings about trace elements in the environment of Alberta's bituminous sands. By studying resources such as snow, moss, peat cores, and rivers, it reveals some misconceptions and introduces the natural enrichment of trace elements in plants and animals.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Leah Chibwe, Derek C. G. Muir, Yamini Gopalapillai, Dayue Shang, Jane L. Kirk, Carlos A. Manzano, Beau Atkinson, Xiaowa Wang, Camilla Teixeira
Summary: Our study revealed that PACs mass deposition increased between 2008 and 2017 coincident with crude oil production, and identified the potential of retene and benzo[ghi]fluoranthene in distinguishing sources in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR).
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Letter
Engineering, Environmental
Xianming Zhang, Xiangfei Sun, Ruifen Jiang, Eddy Y. Zeng, Elsie M. Sunderland, Derek C. G. Muir
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Alicia Nunez, Carlos A. Manzano
Summary: This study developed a new survey based on communitarian claims and a behavioural model to identify local barriers to healthcare access and preferences in Chile. The results showed low overall disutility of barriers at the national level, with higher disutility in the northern region. Specific barriers related to health-policy component were identified for each community.
HEALTH EXPECTATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
John MacInnis, Amila O. De Silva, Igor Lehnherr, Derek C. G. Muir, Kyra A. St Pierre, Vincent L. St Louis, Christine Spencer
Summary: The study found that melting snow and ice increased PFAS concentrations in Lake Hazen, while river water from non-glacial freshwater continuum was identified as a major source of contamination. Additionally, the distribution of PFAS in vegetation and soil changed as water flowed downstream.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Cynthia A. de Wit, Katrin Vorkamp, Derek Muir
Summary: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have accumulated in polar environments due to long-range transport. Climate change has been identified as a factor influencing POP levels and trends, and recent studies have found correlations between climate indices and POP temporal trends. Temperature, precipitation, and sea-ice have also been recognized as important climate parameters affecting POP levels. However, the complexity of physical, chemical, and biological processes requires greater interdisciplinary scientific exchange and collaboration.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicolas C. Zanetta-Colombo, Zoe L. Fleming, Eugenia M. Gayo, Carlos A. Manzano, Marios Panagi, Jorge Valdes, Alexander Siegmund
Summary: Indigenous communities in northern Chile have been exposed to toxic metals from copper production in the region, with limited studies and accessibility of results. This study characterizes metal concentrations in dust from houses and highlights the potential health risks faced by the inhabitants. The findings emphasize the need for actions to mitigate mining effects in response to the increasing international demand for raw materials.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nadia Facciola, Magali Houde, Derek C. G. Muir, Steven H. Ferguson, Melissa A. McKinney
Summary: This study compares the feeding ecology and contaminant concentrations in ringed seals from two Canadian sub-Arctic and two Arctic sites, providing insight into how climate-driven diet shifts may affect contaminant exposures in Arctic species. The results suggest that the changing prey fish communities in the sub-Arctic may serve as a harbinger of future conditions in the Arctic. Differences in diet and contaminant concentrations between sub-Arctic and Arctic seals were observed, with seals in Sachs Harbour potentially consuming both southern and Arctic species.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carolina Concha, Carlos A. Manzano
Summary: Agriculture in Chile heavily relies on the use of pesticides, which pose risks to the environment and human health. This study aimed to estimate the properties and environmental distribution of approved pesticides in Chile and generate a priority list for further evaluation. The results showed that most pesticides are present in both organic and water phases, with long half-lives and bioaccumulation potential.
INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carolina Molina, Carlos A. Manzano, Manuel A. G. Leiva, Richard A. Toro
Summary: Oxidative potential (OP) is a parameter that can indicate the ability of particulate matter (PM) to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study evaluated the OP of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1.0 samples in two cities of Chile. The results showed differences in OP between cities, PM size fractions, and seasons, and a strong correlation between OP and certain metals and meteorological variables. Based on these findings, it is suggested that OP be used as a complementary measure to PM mass concentration in air quality management.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Derek C. G. Muir, Gordon J. Getzinger, Matt McBride, P. Lee Ferguson
Summary: In the past 50 years, the measurement of chemical contaminants in the environment has greatly expanded. However, only a fraction of substances in commerce or of concern have been determined. A bibliometric survey was conducted, which found that pharmaceuticals and current use pesticides accounted for a significant proportion of measured substances.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Leah Chibwe, Amila O. De Silva, Christine Spencer, Camilla F. Teixera, Mary Williamson, Xiaowa Wang, Derek C. G. Muir
Summary: Increased demand for recycling plastic has raised concerns about the potential introduction of hazardous chemicals. A comprehensive screening of 21 plastic flake and pellet samples from Canadian recycling companies revealed the high detection frequencies and concentrations of organophosphorus ester flame retardants and plasticizers, suggesting their incorporation into recycled goods. Although individual concentrations met European Union threshold limits for recycled granules and waste plastic flakes, further research is needed to determine their toxicological thresholds. Our study emphasizes the importance of additional screening to fully understand the presence of potentially hazardous chemicals in goods made from recycled plastics.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Allison L. Phillips, Katherine T. Peter, Jon R. Sobus, Christine M. Fisher, Carlos A. Manzano, Andrew D. McEachran, Antony J. Williams, Ann M. Knolhoff, Elin M. Ulrich
JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Amila O. De Silva, Cora J. Young, Christine Spencer, Derek C. G. Muir, Martin Sharp, Igor Lehnherr, Alison Criscitiello
Summary: This study reports the detection of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in ice cores from the Canadian high Arctic, indicating that the cryosphere can serve as a reservoir for these substances and support their potential long-range transport.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Hayley Hung, Crispin Halsall, Hollie Ball, Terry Bidleman, Jordi Dachs, Amila De Silva, Mark Hermanson, Roland Kallenborn, Derek Muir, Roxana Suhring, Xiaoping Wang, Simon Wilson
Summary: Climate change has significant effects on the physical environment in the Arctic, which in turn affects the distribution of contaminants and impacts the Arctic ecosystems. However, there are still gaps in our knowledge about the indirect effects of climate change on contaminants, and more research is needed.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2022)