Naphthenic acids in oil sands process waters: Identification by conversion of the acids or esters to hydrocarbons

Bicyclic naphthenic acids in oil sands process

Naphthenic Acids in Athabasca Oil Sands Tailings Waters Are Less Biodegradable than Commercial Naphthenic Acids

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are natural constituents in many petroleum sources, including bitumen in the oil sands of Northern Alberta, Canada. Bitumen extraction processes produce tailings waters that cannot be discharged to the environment because NAs are acutely toxic to aquatic species. However, aerobic biodegradation reduces the toxic character of NAs. In this study, four commercial NAs and the...

Naphthenic acids in athabasca oil sands tailings waters are less biodegradable than commercial naphthenic acids.

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are natural constituents in many petroleum sources, including bitumen in the oil sands of Northern Alberta, Canada. Bitumen extraction processes produce tailings waters that cannot be discharged to the environment because NAs are acutely toxic to aquatic species. However, aerobic biodegradation reduces the toxic character of NAs. In this study, four commercial NAs and the...

Analysis of Naphthenic Acids in Filtered Oil Sands Process Water (OSPW) using LC/TOF with No Sample Preparation

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are water soluble weak acids, with the general chemical formula CnH2n+zO2, where n is the carbon number, z is referred to as hydrogen deficiency, is a negative even integer and is the number of hydrogen atoms that are lost as the number of rings in naphthenic acid increases. More than one isomer will exist for a given z homolog and the molecular weights differ by 2 mass u...

Acute and subchronic mammalian toxicity of naphthenic acids from oil sands tailings.

Naphthenic acids are the most significant environmental contaminants resulting from petroleum extraction from oil sands deposits. In this study, a mixture of naphthenic acids isolated from Athabasca oil sands (AOS) tailings pond water was used in acute and subchronic toxicity tests with rodents, in order to assess potential risks posed to terrestrial wildlife. Dosages were chosen to bracket wor...