Integrated analysis of petroleum biomarkers and polycyclic aromatic compounds in lake sediment cores from an oil sands region

We examined polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and petroleum biomarkers (steranes, hopanes, terpanes) in radiometrically-dated lake sediment cores from the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) Peace-Athabasca Delta (PAD) Alberta (Canada) to determine whether contributions hydrocarbons have changed over time. Two floodplain lakes PAD (PAD 30, 31) recorded increased flux of alkylated PACs petrogenic (petroleum-derived) after ∼1980, coincident with a decline organic carbon content rise bulk sedimentation rate, likely due River flow. A large expansion upstream oilsands mining, upgrading, refining may also contributed observed shift more sediments since 1980s. Alkylated PAC analyzed within AOSR (Saline Lake) 1970s–1980s, sharp hydrocarbons. These changes identify supply occurred as floodwaters waned, implicate aerial activity. Saline Lake, 30 31 revealed predominance these lakes. In contrast, we minimal reference outside surface minable area (Mariana Lake BM11), though noted slight increases modern (2010–2016) sediments. show how combined analysis is useful quantify added confidence highlight potential for novel effective method track sediment.