An evaluation of water quality at Sandhill Wetland: implications for reclaiming wetlands above soft tailings deposits in northern Alberta, Canada

Abstract The experimental Sandhill Wetland is the first permanent reclamation of a composite tailings deposit, and annual water quality monitoring specific interest for evaluating predicting long-term performance. Here, we present chemistry data obtained from (years 2009–2019) compare results to twelve natural reference wetlands environmental guidelines Alberta surface waters. By comparing at sites established guidelines, can begin document background in region examine if guideline exceedances are seen undisturbed environments, or appear only active sites. At dominant ions near-surface were bicarbonate, sulfate, chloride, sodium, calcium, magnesium. Since growing season concentrations these have increased annually, causing concurrent increases electrical conductivity. In year 2019, was most comparable regional saline fens, systems that exhibit elevated conductivity high sodicity. Near-surface exceeded three substances/properties (dissolved iron, total alkalinity) recent monitoring. fen also same chemical substances/properties, suggesting norm some wetland site types region. Of note, each Wetland, dissolved organic compounds evaluated sub- below detection limits.