The objective of this study was to identify chemical components that could distinguish chemical mixtures in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) that had potentially migrated to groundwater in the oil sands development area of northern Alberta, Canada. In the first part of the study, OSPW samples from two different tailings ponds and a broad range of natural groundwater samples were assessed...

Comparative toxicity studies using unconfounded exposures can prioritize the selection of sensitive sentinel test species and can refine methods for evaluating ecological risks of complex constituents like naphthenic acids (NAs), a group of problematic organic acids associated with crude oils and energy-derived waters. Unconfounded exposures of NAs can be prepared with relatively stable and rep...

One of the possible fluid-fluid interactions during water-flooding in oil reservoirs, that is still debated, effect injected brine salinity on asphaltene destabilization. If precipitation induced by changes reservoirs and surface facilities, this could have a massive impact economy low project. Therefore, study aims to investigate amount governing destabilization mechanisms. Direct measurements...

Naphthenic acids (NAs) have been implicated as some of the most toxic substances in oil sands leachates and identified as priority substances impacting on aquatic environments. As a group of compounds, NAs are not well characterized and comprise a large group of saturated aliphatic and alicyclic carboxylic acids found in hydrocarbon deposits (petroleum, oil sands bitumen, and crude oils). Descr...

Effects of sodium naphthenates (NAs) on root hydraulic conductivity (Lp) and gas exchange processes were examined in aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) seedlings grown in solution culture. Exposure of roots to NAs for 3-5 weeks significantly decreased Lp and stomatal conductance. Root-absorbed NAs also decreased leaf chlorophyll concentration, net photosynthesis and leaf growth. Short-term (< o...

Water soluble organic compounds (OCs), including naphthenic acids (NAs), are potentially toxic constituents of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) that is generated during extraction of bitumen from Alberta oil sands. Ozonation can decrease concentrations of OCs in OSPW. However, effects of ozonated-OSPW on multicellular organisms are unknown. A 10-day and a chronic exposure of Chironomus d...