Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Heidi L. Cossey, Anya E. Batycky, Heather Kaminsky, Ania C. Ulrich
Summary: The review discusses five mechanisms of geochemical change expected in tailings landforms: consolidation, chemical mass loading via pore water fluxes, biogeochemical cycling, polymer degradation, and surface water and groundwater interactions. Key considerations and knowledge gaps regarding the long-term geochemical stability of tailings landforms are identified, including salt fluxes and subsequent water quality, bioremediation and biogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and the biogeochemical implications of various tailings treatment methods meant to improve geotechnical properties of tailings, such as flocculant (polyacrylamide) and coagulant (gypsum) addition.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel J. Francis, S. Lee Barbour, Matthew B. J. Lindsay
Summary: The study on Base Mine Lake (BML) in northern Alberta, Canada, demonstrated the impact of ebullition on enhanced mixing and chemical mass transport within the lake. The findings revealed a positive relationship between CH4 saturation and enhanced mixing, highlighting the importance of ebullition in internal mass loading and informing ongoing assessments for mine closure and reclamation planning.
JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Heidi L. Cossey, Mian Nabeel Anwar, Petr Kuznetsov, Ania C. Ulrich
Summary: End pit lakes (EPLs) are proposed for reclaiming oil sands fluid fine tailings (FFT), and experiments show that microbial biofilms can effectively reduce turbidity in these lakes, with younger biofilms performing better in mitigating turbidity.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Emad A. Albakistani, Felix C. Nwosu, Chantel Furgason, Evan S. Haupt, Angela Smirnova, Tobin J. Verbeke, Eun-Suk Lee, Joong-Jae Kim, Amelia Chan, Ilona A. Ruhl, Andriy Sheremet, Sarah B. Rudderham, Matthew B. J. Lindsay, Peter F. Dunfield
Summary: This study examined the methanotrophic bacteria in an industrial end pit lake using molecular DNA methods combined with biogeochemical measurements. The results showed clear and consistent seasonal patterns of growth and decline of three methanotroph genera (Methylobacter, Methylovulum, and Methyloparacoccus). Laboratory experiments suggested that temperature based niche partitioning is a major control for this succession. This study helps to understand microbial dynamics in engineered end pit lakes and has implications for microbial ecology and limnology.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
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
Environmental Sciences
Nesma Eltoukhy Allam, Nikolas Romaniuk, Mike Tate, Mohamed N. A. Meshref, Bipro R. Dhar, Ania C. Ulrich
Summary: The study showed that adding high doses of lime (3500 ppm) to FFT achieved the highest water recovery and improved water quality, while low doses of lime (650 ppm) slightly enhanced the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. In addition, high doses of lime resulted in a significant reduction in cell counts, and increased toxicity effects were observed for lime doses above a certain threshold.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Adedeji Dunmola, Robert A. Werneiwski, Dallas MacGowan, Bill Shaw, David Carrier
Summary: Syncrude Canada Ltd.'s Base Mine Lake (BML), the first commercial-scale demonstration of an oil sands pit lake, experienced settlement of fine tailings (FT) between 1995 and 2012. The settlement of FT in BML from 196.0 to 171.6 million cubic meters by 2019 was consistent with the expected consolidation. Geotechnical properties at the mudline transition became increasingly distinct over time, indicating the sequestration of fines below the water cap.
CANADIAN GEOTECHNICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yeling Zhu, Yuki Gong, Heather Kaminsky, Michael Chae, Paolo Mussone, David C. Bressler
Summary: This study focuses on developing value-added aggregation agents from waste protein stream to improve the separation of fluid fine tailings, and demonstrates the novelty and feasibility of using SRM-peptides to address intractable oil sands fluid tailings.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicholas Utting
Summary: The study found that dissolved ions in treated oil sands fine tailings can leach out over long-term column leaching experiments, with concentrations of some ions potentially exceeding environmental guidelines.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Petr Kuznetsov, Kai Wei, Alsu Kuznetsova, Julia Foght, Ania Ulrich, Tariq Siddique
Summary: This study investigated the biogeochemical changes in water quality and sediments caused by residual hydrocarbons in fluid fine tailings (FFT) from oil sands ore processing. The results showed that microbial anaerobic activity stimulated by residual hydrocarbons in FFT could accelerate settling, increase turbidity, and affect the chemistry of overlying water.
Article
Engineering, Geological
Grytan Sarkar, Abouzar Sadrekarimi
Summary: The instability of coarse oil sands tailings (CST) was investigated in this study, and the effects of sample reconstitution method and tailings fabric on CST's instability behavior were explored. The results showed that the consolidation vertical stress and void ratio can affect the instability and post-liquefaction strength of the CST specimens.
SOIL DYNAMICS AND EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Abdul Samad, Dani Degenhardt, Armand Seguin, Marie-Josee Morency, Patrick Gagne, Christine Martineau
Summary: This study aimed to monitor the structural and functional responses of microbial communities in tailings subjected to different capping and vegetation strategies. The results showed that tailings microbial diversity and community composition changed considerably after two growing seasons, while communities in the capping layer were much more stable. Moreover, selecting the right combination of capping material and vegetation type may contribute to improve below-ground microbial processes and sustain plant growth in harsh environments such as oil sands tailings.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Austin Zabel, Scott J. Ketcheson, Richard M. Petrone
Summary: This study evaluates the feasibility of incorporating pit lakes into reclamation closure designs in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. The research highlights challenges in constructing sustainable reclamation landscapes due to variations in interannual and decadal water cycles.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MINING RECLAMATION AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haoxuan Yu, Izni Zahidi, Chow Ming Fai
Summary: This paper suggests that abandoned tailings ponds can be transformed into fertile agricultural land through effective reclamation efforts. Serving as a discussion paper, it explores the environmental and health risks associated with tailings ponds, as well as the potential and obstacles in repurposing them for agriculture. The discussion concludes that while there are significant challenges, there are encouraging prospects with the implementation of comprehensive efforts.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Kwadwo Omari, Bradley D. Pinno, Nicholas Utting, Edith H. Y. Li
Summary: Oil sands surface mining and processing in Alberta generate large volumes of fluid tailings and process water high in salts and metals, which must be reclaimed. The study found that certain non-native plant species performed better than native species in boreal oil sands reclamation sites, with cake-peat substrate supporting the highest aboveground biomass.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Colton J. Vessey, Matthew B. J. Lindsay, S. Lee Barbour
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jared M. Robertson, Jake A. Nesbitt, Matthew B. J. Lindsay
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Elliott K. Skierszkan, Jared M. Robertson, Matthew B. J. Lindsay, Justin S. Stockwell, John W. Dockrey, Soumya Das, Dominique Weis, Roger D. Beckie, K. Ulrich Mayer
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Microbiology
Jiro F. Mori, Lin-Xing Chen, Gerdhard L. Jessen, Sarah B. Rudderham, Joyce M. McBeth, Matthew B. J. Lindsay, Gregory F. Slater, Jillian F. Banfield, Lesley A. Warren
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Colton J. Vessey, Matthew B. J. Lindsay
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Colton J. Vessey, Michael P. Schmidt, Mojtaba Abdolahnezhad, Derek Peak, Matthew B. J. Lindsay
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Valerie A. Schoepfer, Kaixuan Qin, Jared M. Robertson, Soumya Das, Matthew B. J. Lindsay
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Andrew T. Craig, Alexi Shkarupin, Richard T. Amos, Matthew B. J. Lindsay, David W. Blowes, Carol J. Ptacek
Summary: Reactive transport models developed in this study successfully simulated hydrogeochemical processes and isotope fractionation over four years in test cells with and without organic carbon amendments, indicating the importance of sulfate reduction and metal-sulfide precipitation. The findings suggest that coupled reactive transport modeling can enhance understanding of hydrogeochemical and biogeochemical controls in in situ treatment systems, showcasing the potential benefits of this technique for improving water quality in mine drainage.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Valerie A. Schoepfer, Jullieta E. Lum, Matthew B. J. Lindsay
Summary: Adsorption and coprecipitation reactions with Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides play a role in Mo(VI) attenuation in geohydrologic systems. Mo(VI) coordination shifts from tetrahedral to octahedral during Fe(II)-induced ferrihydrite transformation. The effects of initial conditions, such as solution pH, Mo(VI) uptake mechanism, and Mo(VI) loading on repartitioning are not well understood.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Emad A. Albakistani, Felix C. Nwosu, Chantel Furgason, Evan S. Haupt, Angela Smirnova, Tobin J. Verbeke, Eun-Suk Lee, Joong-Jae Kim, Amelia Chan, Ilona A. Ruhl, Andriy Sheremet, Sarah B. Rudderham, Matthew B. J. Lindsay, Peter F. Dunfield
Summary: This study examined the methanotrophic bacteria in an industrial end pit lake using molecular DNA methods combined with biogeochemical measurements. The results showed clear and consistent seasonal patterns of growth and decline of three methanotroph genera (Methylobacter, Methylovulum, and Methyloparacoccus). Laboratory experiments suggested that temperature based niche partitioning is a major control for this succession. This study helps to understand microbial dynamics in engineered end pit lakes and has implications for microbial ecology and limnology.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Aidan C. Mowat, Daniel J. Francis, Jennifer C. McIntosh, Matthew B. J. Lindsay, Grant A. G. Ferguson
Summary: This study investigates the impact of Pleistocene glaciation on groundwater flow systems in the Williston Basin, Canada, revealing non-uniform migration of subglacial recharge events within and between stacked Paleozoic aquifers. The arrival times of subglacial recharge are found to be constrained to early to mid-Pleistocene and preserved in the basin.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mojtaba Abdolahnezhad, Matthew B. J. Lindsay
Summary: Petroleum coke has the potential to release vanadium, nickel, and molybdenum into water resources in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region in Canada. The release of these metals is influenced by the water chemistry, particularly the pH and surface reactions. Different influent water sources also result in variations in the release of these metals from petroleum coke.
JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel J. Francis, S. Lee Barbour, Matthew B. J. Lindsay
Summary: The study on Base Mine Lake (BML) in northern Alberta, Canada, demonstrated the impact of ebullition on enhanced mixing and chemical mass transport within the lake. The findings revealed a positive relationship between CH4 saturation and enhanced mixing, highlighting the importance of ebullition in internal mass loading and informing ongoing assessments for mine closure and reclamation planning.
JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Gerdhard L. Jessen, Lin-Xing Chen, Jiro F. Mori, Tara E. Colenbrander Nelson, Gregory F. Slater, Matthew B. J. Lindsay, Jillian F. Banfield, Lesley A. Warren
Summary: This study examines the impact of whole-lake alum treatment on geobiological response in Base Mine Lake. The alum treatment resulted in various changes, such as increased oxygen concentrations, chlorophyll-a concentrations, and shifts in microbial communities. These findings are important for improving tailings reclamation in oil sands operations and the global mining sector.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valerie A. Schoepfer, Matthew B. J. Lindsay
Summary: This study presents the analysis of 15 molybdenum minerals and compounds using Mo K-and LIII-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The data collected provides detailed information and graphical results, intended to support the analysis of Mo phases in geological or environmental research.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Toshimi Nakajima, Mao Kuragano, Makoto Yamada, Ryo Sugimoto
Summary: This study compared the contribution of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to river nutrient budgets at nearshore and embayment scales, and found that SGD-derived nutrients become more important at larger spatial scales.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Liu, Lei Zhang, Chongyang Zhang, Ziguang Chen, Jingguang Li
Summary: NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves used for household heating have become a significant source of indoor pollution in Chinese urban areas. The high indoor concentration of NO2 poses potential health risks to residents. It is urgently necessary to establish relevant regulations and implement emission reduction technologies to reduce NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Hans Peter H. Arp, Raoul Wolf, Sarah E. Hale, Sivani Baskaran, Juliane Gluege, Martin Scheringer, Xenia Trier, Ian T. Cousins, Harrie Timmer, Roberta Hofman-Caris, Anna Lennquist, Andre D. Bannink, Gerard J. Stroomberg, Rosa M. A. Sjerps, Rosa Montes, Rosario Rodil, Jose Benito Quintana, Daniel Zahn, Herve Gallard, Tobias Mohr, Ivo Schliebner, Michael Neumann
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philomina Onyedikachi Peter, Binessi Edouard Ifon, Francois Nkinahamira, Kayode Hassan Lasisi, Jiangwei Li, Anyi Hu, Chang-Ping Yu
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in sediments from Yundang Lagoon, China. The results show four distinct fluorescent components, with protein-like substances being the most prevalent. Additionally, the total fluorescence intensity and LREE concentrations exhibit a synchronized increase from Outer to Inner to Songbai Lake core sediments. The findings demonstrate a strong correlation between DOM content and pollution levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Surya Gupta, Pasquale Borrelli, Panos Panagos, Christine Alewell
Summary: The objective of this study is to incorporate soil hydraulic properties into the erodibility factor (K) of USLE-type models. By modifying and improving the existing equations for soil texture and permeability, the study successfully included information on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) into the calculation of K factor. Using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm, two independent K factor maps with different spatial resolutions were generated. The results show that the decrease in K factor values has a positive impact on the modeling of soil erosion rates.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jesmin Akter, Wendy J. M. Smith, Yawen Liu, Ilho Kim, Stuart L. Simpson, Phong Thai, Asja Korajkic, Warish Ahmed
Summary: The choice of workflow in wastewater surveillance has a significant impact on SARS-CoV-2 concentrations, while having minimal effects on HF183 and no effect on HAdV 40/41 concentrations. Certain components in the workflow can be interchangeable, but factors such as buffer type, chloroform, and homogenization speed can affect the recovery of viruses and bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Luo, Xueting Yang, Diwei Wang, Hongmei Xu, Hongai Zhang, Shasha Huang, Qiyuan Wang, Ningning Zhang, Junji Cao, Zhenxing Shen
Summary: Atmospheric PM2.5, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), is associated with cardiorespiratory morbidity and mortality. The study found that both the mass concentration of PM2.5 and the DTT activity were higher during the heating season than during the nonheating season. Combustion sources were the primary contributors to DTT activity during the heating season, while secondary formation dominated during the nonheating season. The study also revealed that biomass burning had the highest inherent oxidation potential among all sources investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin L. Murphy, Leah R. Gerber, Chelsea M. Rochman, Beth Polidoro
Summary: Plastic pollution has devastating consequences for marine organisms. This study uses a trait-based framework to develop a vulnerability index for marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles in Hawai'i. The index ranks 63 study species based on their vulnerability to macroplastic pollution, providing valuable information for species monitoring and management priorities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kenji Maurice, Amelia Bourceret, Sami Youssef, Stephane Boivin, Liam Laurent-Webb, Coraline Damasio, Hassan Boukcim, Marc-Andre Selosse, Marc Ducousso
Summary: Growing pressure from climate change and agricultural land use is destabilizing soil microbial community interactions. Little is known about microbial community resistance and adaptation to disturbances, hindering our understanding of recovery latency and implications for ecosystem functioning. This study found that anthropic disturbance and natural disturbance have different effects on the topology and stability of soil microbial networks.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunhao Li, Yali Feng, Haoran Li, Yisong Yao, Chenglong Xu, Jinrong Ju, Ruiyu Ma, Haoyu Wang, Shiwei Jiang
Summary: Deep-sea mining poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems and human health by disturbing sediment and transmitting metal ions through the food chain. This study developed a new regenerative adsorption material, OMN@SA, which effectively removes metal ions. The adsorption mechanism and performance of the material for metal ion fixation were investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Medici, Margherita Lavorgna, Marina Isidori, Chiara Russo, Elena Orlo, Giovanni Luongo, Giovanni Di Fabio, Armando Zarrelli
Summary: Valsartan, a widely used antihypertensive drug, has been detected in high concentrations in surface waters due to its unchanged excretion and incomplete degradation in wastewater treatment plants. This study investigated the degradation of valsartan and identified 14 degradation byproducts. The acute and chronic toxicity of these byproducts were evaluated in key organisms in the freshwater trophic chain.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiang Lin, Lianbao Chi, Qing Yuan, Busu Li, Mingbao Feng
Summary: This study investigated the photodegradation behavior and product formation of two representative pharmaceuticals in simulated estuary water. The study found that the formed transformation products of these pharmaceuticals have potential toxicity on marine organisms, including oxidative stress and damage to cellular components.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hua Fang, Dongdong Jiang, Ye He, Siyi Wu, Yuehong Li, Ziqi Zhang, Haoting Chen, Zixin Zheng, Yan Sun, Wenxiang Wang
Summary: This study revealed that exposure to lower levels of air pollutants led to decreased pregnancy rates, with PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO emerging as the four most prominent pollutants. Individuals aged 35 and above exhibited heightened susceptibility to pollutants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ali Shaan Manzoor Ghumman, Rashid Shamsuddin, Amin Abbasi, Mohaira Ahmad, Yoshiaki Yoshida, Abdul Sami, Hamad Almohamadi
Summary: In this study, inverse vulcanized polysulfides (IVP) were synthesized by reacting molten sulfur with 4-vinyl benzyl chloride, and then functionalized using N-methyl D-glucamine (NMDG). The functionalized IVP showed a high mercury adsorption capacity and a machine learning model was developed to predict the amount of mercury removed. Furthermore, the functionalized IVP can be regenerated and reused, providing a sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rita Bonfiglio, Renata Sisto, Stefano Casciardi, Valeria Palumbo, Maria Paola Scioli, Erica Giacobbi, Francesca Servadei, Gerry Melino, Alessandro Mauriello, Manuel Scimeca
Summary: This study investigated the presence of aluminum in human colon cancer samples and its potential association with biological processes involved in cancer progression. Aluminum was found in tumor areas of 24% of patients and was associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell death. Additional analyses revealed higher tumor mutational burden and mutations in genes related to EMT and apoptosis in aluminum-positive colon cancers. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of aluminum toxicity may improve strategies for the management of colon cancer patients.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)