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Yang F, Mamun AA, Cheng I, Qiu X, Zhang L. Contributions of the oil sands sources to the ambient concentrations and deposition of particulate elements in the Canadian Athabasca oil sands region. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165519. [PMID: 37451466 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
In this study, model sensitivity tests were conducted to investigate the relative contributions between emission sources of oil sands (OS) activities and other sources to the ambient concentrations and deposition of 29 particulate elements in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) of Canada. Element emission sources from a recently developed emission database were grouped into three source sectors for elements in PM2.5 (OS-Industrial, OS-Dust, and Non-OS) and two source sectors for elements in PM2.5-10 (OS-All and Non-OS). The OS-Dust and OS-Industrial sectors (combined as one sector for PM2.5-10; OS-All) included element sources linked to dust and other industrial activities from the OS activities, respectively, whereas the Non-OS sector included remaining sources in the region, unrelated to the OS activities. The OS-Industrial, OS-Dust, and Non-OS emissions (tonnes/year) of all elements in PM2.5 were 326, 1430, and 562, respectively. The OS-All and Non-OS emissions (tonnes/year) of all elements in PM2.5-10 were 5890 and 2900, respectively. The element concentrations were simulated by the CALPUFF dispersion model. The sum of the domain averaged annual mean concentrations of all elements in PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 from all sources were 57.3 ng/m3 and 30.4 ng/m3, respectively. Except for Co (PM2.5 and PM2.5-10), Sb (PM2.5-10), and Sn (PM2.5-10), major proportions (≥ 59 %) of the ambient concentrations of the individual elements were linked to the OS source sector. Overall, the OS sector was responsible for 78 % and 68 % of the sum of the mean ambient concentrations of all elements in PM2.5 and PM2.5-10, respectively, which are close to the corresponding emission contributions (76 % and 67 %, respectively). Likewise, the bulk proportion (∼74 %) of the sum of the total atmospheric deposition of all elements was also associated with the OS sources. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks associated with inhalation exposure to airborne elements were below the recommended threshold risk levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuquan Yang
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada; SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd, 100 Stone Road West, Suite 201, Guelph, Ontario N1G 5L3, Canada
| | - Abdulla Al Mamun
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Irene Cheng
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Xin Qiu
- SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd, 100 Stone Road West, Suite 201, Guelph, Ontario N1G 5L3, Canada
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada.
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Yuan C, Liang S, Cheng H, Xu R, Su S, Yao Z, Wang P, Tuo X, Wang Z. Assessing the dry impinger method for condensable particulate matter from ultra-low emission coal-fired power plant measurement. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 834:155002. [PMID: 35398423 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The dry impinger method is commonly used for the determination of condensable particulate matter (CPM) emissions. The coil and chamber condenser is used to build different dry impinger methods for CPM sampling. The comparative analysis of coil and chamber condenser is performed in a laboratory experiment to evaluate the deviation caused by SO2. Results showed that the positive deviation caused by SO2 in the chamber condenser is lower than that in the coil condenser under the same sampling conditions, especially under high humidity flue gas. The CPM emission characteristics from Hanchuan coal-fired power plant (CFPP) determined by both dry impinger methods are also investigated as well. The CPM and its most water-soluble ions (e.g., F-, Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, Na+, Ca2+ and NH4+) measured by method #2 (chamber condenser) are higher than that of method #1 (coil condenser). In addition, the esters in the CPM also increased with the CPM concentrations. Based on above evidences, it can be inferred that the dry impinger method with chamber condenser, will be recommended as the appropriate method for measuring CPM emitted from stationary sources, especially under the high humidity flue gas conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Yuan
- School of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Shengwen Liang
- Environmental Monitoring Station of Wuhan, 422 Xinhua Road, Wuhan 430015, China
| | - Hairong Cheng
- School of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ruiguang Xu
- Environmental Monitoring Station of Wuhan, 422 Xinhua Road, Wuhan 430015, China
| | - Siqian Su
- School of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zhibing Yao
- Environmental Monitoring Station of Wuhan, 422 Xinhua Road, Wuhan 430015, China
| | - Pengcheng Wang
- School of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xiaohan Tuo
- School of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zuwu Wang
- School of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan 430072, China.
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Arciszewski TJ. A re-analysis and review of elemental and polycyclic aromatic compound deposition in snow and lake sediments from Canada's Oil Sands Region integrating industrial performance and climatic variables. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 820:153254. [PMID: 35065131 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Much of the research from Canada's oil sands region (OSR) shows contaminants of concern (CoCs) throughout the ambient environment surrounding the industrial facilities. While there are some well-established sources of the CoCs, there is also spatial and temporal variability suggesting activity intensity, changes in technology, types and amounts of fuels combusted at the facilities, and climate may affect the results of deposition studies. This study re-analysed published data on the deposition of elements and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in snow and the sediments of some lakes by incorporating production data from facilities and climate. Using the Elastic Net (EN) regularized regression, variables describing potential associations between facility-specific activity and climate on the deposition of CoCs were identified. Among the selected variables, the combustion of delayed petroleum coke at the Suncor Basemine was associated with the deposition of CoCs, including elements in snow and in some lakes. Similarly, combustion of petroleum coke at Syncrude Mildred Lake was also identified in some models. In both cases, the effects of petroluem coke combustion are likely associated with the emission and deposition of fly ash. The mass of stored petroleum coke was not selected in snow CoC models, but the speed of the wind was a common driver for PACs. However, the mass of stockpiled petcoke was more closely associated with both elements and PACs in lake sediments. While the potential influence of other variables on the occurrence of CoCs in the OSR was also identified, including the production of crude bitumen and synthetic crude, the use of process and natural gases, temperature, and precipitation, these analyses support much of the earlier work and provides additional nuance. While more work is required, these results suggest facility-specific production and climatic data can be coupled with existing approaches to improve the identification of sources of CoCs in Canada's OSR and practices associated with their release.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Arciszewski
- Resource Stewardship Division, Alberta Environment and Parks, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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4
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Arciszewski TJ, Hazewinkel RRO, Dubé MG. A critical review of the ecological status of lakes and rivers from Canada's oil sands region. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2022; 18:361-387. [PMID: 34546629 PMCID: PMC9298303 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
We synthesize the information available from the peer-reviewed literature on the ecological status of lakes and rivers in the oil sands region (OSR) of Canada. The majority of the research from the OSR has been performed in or near the minable region and examines the concentrations, flux, or enrichment of contaminants of concern (CoCs). Proximity to oil sands facilities and the beginning of commercial activities tend to be associated with greater estimates of CoCs across studies. Research suggests the higher measurements of CoCs are typically associated with wind-blown dust, but other sources also contribute. Exploratory analyses further suggest relationships with facility production and fuel use data. Exceedances of environmental quality guidelines for CoCs are also reported in lake sediments, but there are no indications of toxicity including those within the areas of the greatest atmospheric deposition. Instead, primary production has increased in most lakes over time. Spatial differences are observed in streams, but causal relationships with industrial activity are often confounded by substantial natural influences. Despite this, there may be signals associated with site preparation for new mines, potential persistent differences, and a potential effect of petroleum coke used as fuel on some indices of health in fish captured in the Steepbank River. There is also evidence of improvements in the ecological condition of some rivers. Despite the volume of material available, much of the work remains temporally, spatially, or technically isolated. Overcoming the isolation of studies would enhance the utility of information available for the region, but additional recommendations for improving monitoring can be made, such as a shift to site-specific analyses in streams and further use of industry-reported data. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:361-387. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim J. Arciszewski
- Environmental Stewardship DivisionAlberta Environment and ParksCalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | | | - Monique G. Dubé
- Environmental Stewardship DivisionAlberta Environment and ParksCalgaryAlbertaCanada
- Present address: Cumulative Effects Environmental Inc.CalgaryAlbertaCanada
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5
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Mamun AA, Celo V, Dabek-Zlotorzynska E, Charland JP, Cheng I, Zhang L. Characterization and source apportionment of airborne particulate elements in the Athabasca oil sands region. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147748. [PMID: 34134367 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The oil sands industries in Alberta, Canada are potential sources of particulate-bound elements in the region. This study explored the ambient concentrations and size distributions, and conducted source apportionment of 48 particulate elements, based on samples collected in 2016-2017 at four air monitoring sites in the Athabasca oil sands region: Fort McKay (AMS1), Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS4), Wapasu Creek (AMS17), and Stoney Mountain (AMS18). Element concentrations in fine and coarse particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 respectively) at the four sites were generally lower than their typical concentrations at other urban and industrial sites in North America. Among all elements, S was the most abundant in PM2.5 with mean concentrations ranging from 189 ng/m3 (AMS18) to 284 ng/m3 (AMS1). Of the trace, toxic elements in PM2.5, Zn was the most abundant with mean concentrations ranging from 3.43 ng/m3 (AMS18) to 5.37 ng/m3 (AMS4). Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) modeling of the element concentrations in PM2.5 was used for source apportionment for Zone1 (including AMS 1, 4, and 17, situated closer to industrial activities) and for Zone2 (including AMS18, a background site). The sources of elements for Zone1, included crustal dust, bitumen processing, haul road dust, and biomass burning that explained ~33%, ~43%, ~15%, and ~9% of the total resolved elemental mass, respectively. The sources of elements for Zone2, included Pb-rich source, biomass burning, fugitive oil sands, crustal dust, and bitumen processing explaining ~8%, ~7%, ~3%, ~22%, and ~60% of the total resolved elemental mass, respectively. Elemental mass concentrations of the bitumen processing source factor at Zone2 was two-thirds of that in Zone1. Overall, mass proportions of the bitumen processing source factor at all four sites were significant, suggesting that the oil sands industries played a key role in ambient element concentration levels in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulla Al Mamun
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Valbona Celo
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1V 1C7, Canada.
| | - Ewa Dabek-Zlotorzynska
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1V 1C7, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Charland
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1V 1C7, Canada
| | - Irene Cheng
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada.
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6
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Wang G, Deng J, Zhang Y, Li Y, Ma Z, Hao J, Jiang J. Evaluating Airborne Condensable Particulate Matter Measurement Methods in Typical Stationary Sources in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:1363-1371. [PMID: 31904230 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The dry impinger method, the indirect dilution method, and the direct dilution method can be used to measure the condensable particulate matter (CPM) emissions. We tested these methods in determining the CPM emissions from typical stationary sources in China and found that the CPM concentrations measured by the dry impinger method are much higher than those measured by the two dilution methods regardless of the type of stationary source. The soluble gases (e.g., SO2, HCl, and NH3) partially absorbed by the impinger solutions are the main reason for the overestimation of the CPM concentrations. This is supported by detecting more water-soluble ions (e.g., SO42-, Cl-, and NH4+) from the CPM collected using the dry impinger method. The positive biases of the CPM concentration and its water-soluble ions collected by the dry impinger method are larger under the conditions with high concentrations of soluble gases such as at the flue gas desulfurization inlet in coal-fired power plants. Comparing to the direct dilution method, the indirect dilution method can better capture the rapid dilution, cooling, and condensation of condensable gas precursors in the presence of filterable particulate matter and is recommended as the appropriate method for the CPM measurement in stationary sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , China
| | - Jianguo Deng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , China
| | - Yanjing Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , China
| | - Zizhen Ma
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , China
| | - Jiming Hao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex , Beijing 100084 , China
| | - Jingkun Jiang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex , Beijing 100084 , China
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7
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Altshuler SL, Ahad JME, Chow JC, Duane C, Dubé M, Legge AH, Percy KE, Stevenson ED, Watson JG. Advances in science and applications in air pollution monitoring: A case study on oil sands monitoring targeting ecosystem protection. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2019; 69:1133-1141. [PMID: 31437101 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2019.1659192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason M E Ahad
- Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada , Québec , QC , Canada
| | - Judith C Chow
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology (SKLLQG), Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Xi'an, Shaanxi Province , People's Republic of China
- Desert Research Institute , Reno , NV , USA
| | - Calvin Duane
- Canadian Natural Resources Limited , Calgary , Alberta , Canada
| | - Monique Dubé
- Integrated Environmental Analytics & Prediction Branch, Alberta Environment and Parks , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada
| | | | - Kevin E Percy
- Atlantic Forest Research Collaborative, University of New Brunswick , Fredericton , New Brunswick , Canada
| | - Eric D Stevenson
- Bay Area Air Quality Management District , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - John G Watson
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology (SKLLQG), Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Xi'an, Shaanxi Province , People's Republic of China
- Desert Research Institute , Reno , NV , USA
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8
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Morino Y, Chatani S, Tanabe K, Fujitani Y, Morikawa T, Takahashi K, Sato K, Sugata S. Contributions of Condensable Particulate Matter to Atmospheric Organic Aerosol over Japan. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:8456-8466. [PMID: 29973047 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b01285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Because emission rates of particulate matter (PM) from stationary combustion sources have been measured without dilution or cooling in Japan, condensable PM has not been included in Japanese emission inventories. In this study, we modified an emission inventory to include condensable PM from stationary combustion sources based on the recent emission surveys using a dilution method. As a result, emission rates of organic aerosol (OA) increased by a factor of 7 over Japan. Stationary combustion sources in the industrial and energy sectors became the largest contributors to OA emissions over Japan in the revised estimates (filterable-plus-condensable PM), while road transport and biomass burning were the dominant OA sources in the previous estimate (filterable PM). These results indicate that condensable PM from large combustion sources makes critical contributions to total PM2.5 emissions. Simulated contributions of condensable PM from combustion sources to atmospheric OA drastically increased around urban and industrial areas, including the Kanto region, where OA concentrations increased by factors of 2.5-6.1. Consideration of condensable PM from stationary combustion sources improved model estimates of OA in winter but caused overestimation of OA concentrations in summer. Contributions of primary and secondary OA should be further evaluated by comparing with organic tracer measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Morino
- National Institute for Environmental Studies , 16-2, Onogawa , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8506 , Japan
| | - Satoru Chatani
- National Institute for Environmental Studies , 16-2, Onogawa , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8506 , Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Tanabe
- National Institute for Environmental Studies , 16-2, Onogawa , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8506 , Japan
| | - Yuji Fujitani
- National Institute for Environmental Studies , 16-2, Onogawa , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8506 , Japan
| | - Tazuko Morikawa
- Japan Automobile Research Institute , 2530 Karima , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-0822 , Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Takahashi
- Japan Environmental Sanitation Center , 10-6 Yotsuyakami-Cho , Kawasaki , Kanagawa 210-0828 , Japan
| | - Kei Sato
- National Institute for Environmental Studies , 16-2, Onogawa , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8506 , Japan
| | - Seiji Sugata
- National Institute for Environmental Studies , 16-2, Onogawa , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8506 , Japan
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10
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Wieder RK, Vile MA, Scott KD, Albright CM, McMillen KJ, Vitt DH, Fenn ME. Differential Effects of High Atmospheric N and S Deposition on Bog Plant/Lichen Tissue and Porewater Chemistry across the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:12630-12640. [PMID: 27766859 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b03109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Oil extraction and development activities in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region of northern Alberta, Canada, release NOx, SOx, and NHy to the atmosphere, ultimately resulting in increasing N and S inputs to surrounding ecosystems through atmospheric deposition. Peatlands are a major feature of the northern Alberta landscape, with bogs covering 6-10% of the land area, and fens covering 21-53%. Bulk deposition of NH4+-N, NO3--N, dissolved inorganic N (DIN), and SO42--S, was quantified using ion-exchange resin collectors deployed at 23 locations, over 1-6 years. The results reveal maximum N and S deposition of 9.3 and 12.0 kg ha-1 yr-1, respectively, near the oil sands industrial center (the midpoint between the Syncrude and Suncor upgrader stacks), decreasing with distance to a background deposition of 0.9 and 1.1 kg ha-1 yr-1, respectively. To assess potential influences of high N and S deposition on bogs, we quantified N and S concentrations in tissues of two Sphagnum species, two lichen species, and four vascular plant species, as well as surface porewater concentrations of H+, NH4+-N, NO3--N, SO42--S and dissolved organic N in 19 ombrotrophic bogs, distributed across a 3255 km2 sampling area surrounding the oil sands industrial center. The two lichen species (Evernia mesomorpha and Cladonia mitis), two vascular plant species (Rhododendron groenlandicum and Picea mariana), and to a lesser extent one moss (Sphagnum fuscum), showed patterns of tissue N and S concentrations that were (1) highest near the oil sands industrial center and (2) positively correlated with bulk deposition of N or S. Concentrations of porewater H+ and SO42--S, but not of NH4+-N, NO3--N, DIN, or dissolved inorganic N, also were higher near the oil sands industrial center than at more distant locations. The oil sands region of northern Alberta is remote, with few roads, posing challenges to the monitoring of oil sands-related N and S deposition. Quantification of N and S concentrations in bog plant/lichen tissues and porewaters may serve as a monitoring tool to assess both the local intensity and the spatial extent of bulk N and S deposition, and as harbingers of potential shifts in ecosystem structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Dale H Vitt
- Department of Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University , Carbondale, Illinois 62901, United States
| | - Mark E Fenn
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, 4955 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, California 92507, United States
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11
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Zhang Y, Shotyk W, Zaccone C, Noernberg T, Pelletier R, Bicalho B, Froese DG, Davies L, Martin JW. Airborne Petcoke Dust is a Major Source of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:1711-20. [PMID: 26771587 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b05092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Oil sands mining has been linked to increasing atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR), but known sources cannot explain the quantity of PAHs in environmental samples. PAHs were measured in living Sphagnum moss (24 sites, n = 68), in sectioned peat cores (4 sites, n = 161), and snow (7 sites, n = 19) from ombrotrophic bogs in the AOSR. Prospective source samples were also analyzed, including petroleum coke (petcoke, from both delayed and fluid coking), fine tailings, oil sands ore, and naturally exposed bitumen. Average PAH concentrations in near-field moss (199 ng/g, n = 11) were significantly higher (p = 0.035) than in far-field moss (118 ng/g, n = 13), and increasing temporal trends were detected in three peat cores collected closest to industrial activity. A chemical mass-balance model estimated that delayed petcoke was the major source of PAHs to living moss, and among three peat core the contribution to PAHs from delayed petcoke increased over time, accounting for 45-95% of PAHs in contemporary layers. Petcoke was also estimated to be a major source of vanadium, nickel, and molybdenum. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed large petcoke particles (>10 μm) in snow at near-field sites. Petcoke dust has not previously been considered in environmental impact assessments of oil sands upgrading, and improved dust control from growing stockpiles may mitigate future risks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William Shotyk
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta , 348B South Academic Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada , T6G 2H1
| | - Claudio Zaccone
- Department of the Sciences of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia , 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Tommy Noernberg
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta , 348B South Academic Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada , T6G 2H1
| | - Rick Pelletier
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta , 348B South Academic Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada , T6G 2H1
| | - Beatriz Bicalho
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta , 348B South Academic Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada , T6G 2H1
| | - Duane G Froese
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada , T6G 2E3
| | - Lauren Davies
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada , T6G 2E3
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12
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Watson JG, Chow JC, Lowenthal DH, Antony Chen LW, Shaw S, Edgerton ES, Blanchard CL. PM2.5 source apportionment with organic markers in the Southeastern Aerosol Research and Characterization (SEARCH) study. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2015; 65:1104-1118. [PMID: 26102211 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2015.1063551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Positive matrix factorization (PMF) and effective variance (EV) solutions to the chemical mass balance (CMB) were applied to PM(2.5) (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm) mass and chemically speciated measurements for samples taken from 2008 to 2010 at the Atlanta, Georgia, and Birmingham, Alabama, sites. Commonly measured PM(2.5) mass, elemental, ionic, and thermal carbon fraction concentrations were supplemented with detailed nonpolar organic speciation by thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS). Source contribution estimates were calculated for motor vehicle exhaust, biomass burning, cooking, coal-fired power plants, road dust, vegetative detritus, and secondary sulfates and nitrates for Atlanta. Similar sources were found for Birmingham, with the addition of an industrial source and the separation of biomass burning into open burning and residential wood combustion. EV-CMB results based on conventional species were qualitatively similar to those estimated by PMF-CMB. Secondary ammonium sulfate was the largest contributor, accounting for 27-38% of PM(2.5), followed by biomass burning (21-24%) and motor vehicle exhaust (9-24%) at both sites, with 4-6% of PM(2.5) attributed to coal-fired power plants by EV-CMB. Including organic compounds in the EV-CMB reduced the motor vehicle exhaust and biomass burning contributions at both sites, with a 13-23% deficit for PM(2.5) mass. The PMF-CMB solution showed mixing of sources within the derived factors, both with and without the addition of speciated organics, as is often the case with complex source mixtures such as those at these urban-scale sites. The nonpolar TD-GC/MS compounds can be obtained from existing filter samples and are a useful complement to the elements, ions, and carbon fractions. However, they should be supplemented with other methods, such as TD-GC/MS on derivitized samples, to obtain a wider range of polar compounds such as sterols, sugars, and organic acids. The PMF and EV solutions to the CMB equations are complementary to, rather than replacements for, each other, as comparisons of their results reveal uncertainties that are not otherwise evident. IMPLICATIONS Organic markers can be measured on currently acquired PM(2.5) filter samples by thermal methods. These markers can complement element, ion, and carbon fraction measurements from long-term speciation networks. Applying the positive matrix factorization and effective variance solutions for the chemical mass balance equations provides useful information on the accuracy of the source contribution estimates. Nonpolar compounds need to be complemented with polar compounds to better apportion cooking and secondary organic aerosol contributors.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Watson
- a Division of Atmospheric Sciences , Desert Research Institute, Nevada System of Higher Education , Reno , NV , USA
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Fenn ME, Bytnerowicz A, Schilling SL, Ross CS. Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen, sulfur and base cations in jack pine stands in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Alberta, Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2015; 196:497-510. [PMID: 25236261 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Revised: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric deposition in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region decreased exponentially with distance from the industrial center. Throughfall deposition (kg ha(-1) yr(-1)) of NH(4)-N (.8-14.7) was double that of NO(3)-N (.3-6.7), while SO(4)-S ranged from 2.5 to 23.7. Gaseous pollutants (NO(2), HNO(3), NH(3), SO(2)) are important drivers of atmospheric deposition but weak correlations between gaseous pollutants and deposition suggest that particulate deposition is also important. The deposition (eq ha(-1)) of base cations (Ca + Mg + Na) across the sampling network was highly similar to N + S deposition, suggesting that acidic deposition is neutralized by base cation deposition and that eutrophication impacts from excess N may be of greater concern than acidification. Emissions from a large forest fire in summer 2011 were most prominently reflected in increased concentrations of HNO(3) and throughfall deposition of SO4-S at some sites. Deposition of NO(3)-N also increased as did NH(4)-N deposition to a lesser degree.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Fenn
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, 4955 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, CA 92507, USA.
| | - A Bytnerowicz
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, 4955 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, CA 92507, USA
| | - S L Schilling
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, 4955 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, CA 92507, USA
| | - C S Ross
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, 4955 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, CA 92507, USA
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