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Chen Y, Wang Y, Headley JV, Huang R. Sample preparation, analytical characterization, monitoring, risk assessment and treatment of naphthenic acids in industrial wastewater and surrounding water impacted by unconventional petroleum production. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169636. [PMID: 38157903 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Industrial extraction of unconventional petroleum results in notable volumes of oil sands process water (OSPW), containing elevated concentrations of naphthenic acids (NAs). The presence of NAs represents an intricate amalgamation of dissolved organic constituents, thereby presenting a notable hurdle for the domain of environmental analytical chemistry. There is growing concern about monitoring the potential seepage of OSPW NAs into nearby groundwater and river water. This review summarizes recent studies on sample preparation, characterization, monitoring, risk assessment, and treatment of NAs in industrial wastewater and surrounding water. Sample preparation approaches, such as liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase microextraction, and solid phase extraction, are crucial in isolating chemical standards, performing molecular level analysis, assessing aquatic toxicity, monitoring, and treating OSPW. Instrument techniques for NAs analysis were reviewed to cover different injection modes, ionization sources, and mass analyzers. Recent studies of transfer and transformation of NAs provide insights to differentiate between anthropogenic and natural bitumen-derived sources of NAs. In addition, related risk assessment and treatment studies were also present for elucidation of environmental implication and reclamation strategies. The synthesis of the current state of scientific knowledge presented in this review targets government regulators, academic researchers, and industrial scientists with interests spanning analytical chemistry, toxicology, and wastewater management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory of Universities on Environmental Science and Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Science and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Yongjian Wang
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory of Universities on Environmental Science and Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Science and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - John V Headley
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Rongfu Huang
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory of Universities on Environmental Science and Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Science and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
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2
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Trepanier KE, Vander Meulen IJ, Ahad JME, Headley JV, Degenhardt D. Evaluating the attenuation of naphthenic acids in constructed wetland mesocosms planted with Carex aquatilis. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:1228. [PMID: 37725196 PMCID: PMC10509100 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11776-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Surface oil sands mining and extraction in northern Alberta's Athabasca oil sands region produce large volumes of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). OSPW is a complex mixture containing major contaminant classes including trace metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs). Naphthenic acids (NAs) are the primary organic toxicants in OSPW, and reducing their concentrations is a priority for oil sands companies. Previous evidence has shown that constructed wetland treatment systems (CWTSs) are capable of reducing the concentration of NAs and the toxicity of OSPW through bioremediation. In this study, we constructed greenhouse mesocosms with OSPW or lab process water (LPW) (i.e., water designed to mimic OSPW minus the NAFC content) with three treatments: (1) OSPW planted with Carex aquatilis; (2) OSPW, no plants; and (3) LPW, no plants. The OSPW-C. aquatilis treatment saw a significant reduction in NAFC concentrations in comparison to OSPW, no plant treatments, but both changed the distribution of the NAFCs in similar ways. Upon completion of the study, treatments with OSPW saw fewer high-molecular-weight NAs and an increase in the abundance of O3- and O4-containing formulae. Results from this study provide invaluable information on how constructed wetlands can be used in future remediation of OSPW in a way that previous studies were unable to achieve due to uncontrollable environmental factors in field experiments and the active, high-energy processes used in CWTSs pilot studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn E Trepanier
- Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Natural Resources Canada, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Ian J Vander Meulen
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Hydrology Research Centre, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Jason M E Ahad
- Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - John V Headley
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Hydrology Research Centre, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Dani Degenhardt
- Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Natural Resources Canada, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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3
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Lillico DME, Hussain NAS, Choo-Yin YY, Qin R, How ZT, El-Din MG, Stafford JL. Using immune cell-based bioactivity assays to compare the inflammatory activities of oil sands process-affected waters from a pilot scale demonstration pit lake. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 128:55-70. [PMID: 36801042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we provide evidence that oil sands process-affected waters (OSPW) contain factors that activate the antimicrobial and proinflammatory responses of immune cells. Specifically, using the murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cell line, we establish the bioactivity of two different OSPW samples and their isolated fractions. Here, we directly compared the bioactivity of two pilot scale demonstration pit lake (DPL) water samples, which included expressed water from treated tailings (termed the before water capping sample; BWC) as well as an after water capping (AWC) sample consisting of a mixture of expressed water, precipitation, upland runoff, coagulated OSPW and added freshwater. Significant inflammatory (i.e. macrophage activating) bioactivity was associated with the AWC sample and its organic fraction (OF), whereas the BWC sample had reduced bioactivity that was primarily associated with its inorganic fraction (IF). Overall, these results indicate that at non-toxic exposure doses, the RAW 264.7 cell line serves as an acute, sensitive and reliable biosensor for the screening of inflammatory constituents within and among discrete OSPW samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin M E Lillico
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Nora A S Hussain
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Yemaya Y Choo-Yin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Rui Qin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Zuo Tong How
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Mohamed Gamal El-Din
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - James L Stafford
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada.
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4
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Hussain NAS, Stafford JL. Abiotic and biotic constituents of oil sands process-affected waters. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 127:169-186. [PMID: 36522051 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The oil sands in Northern Alberta are the largest oil sands in the world, providing an important economic resource for the Canadian energy industry. The extraction of petroleum in the oil sands begins with the addition of hot water to the bituminous sediment, generating oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), which is acutely toxic to organisms. Trillions of litres of OSPW are stored on oil sands mining leased sites in man-made reservoirs called tailings ponds. As the volume of OSPW increases, concerns arise regarding the reclamation and eventual release of this water back into the environment. OSPW is composed of a complex and heterogeneous mix of components that vary based on factors such as company extraction techniques, age of the water, location, and bitumen ore quality. Therefore, the effective remediation of OSPW requires the consideration of abiotic and biotic constituents within it to understand short and long term effects of treatments used. This review summarizes selected chemicals and organisms in these waters and their interactions to provide a holistic perspective on the physiochemical and microbial dynamics underpinning OSPW .
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora A S Hussain
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2N8, Canada
| | - James L Stafford
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2N8, Canada.
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5
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A Review of Oil-Solid Separation and Oil-Water Separation in Unconventional Heavy Oil Production Process. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010074. [PMID: 36613516 PMCID: PMC9820792 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Unconventional heavy oil ores (UHO) have been considered an important part of petroleum resources and an alternative source of chemicals and energy supply. Due to the participation of water and extractants, oil-solid separation (OSS) and oil-water separation (OWS) processes are inevitable in the industrial separation processes of UHO. Therefore, this critical review systematically reviews the basic theories of OSS and OWS, including solid wettability, contact angle, oil-solid interactions, structural characteristics of natural surfactants and interface characteristics of interfacially active asphaltene film. With the basic theories in mind, the corresponding OSS and OWS mechanisms are discussed. Finally, the present challenges and future research considerations are touched on to provide insights and theoretical fundamentals for OSS and OWS. Additionally, this critical review might even be useful for the provision of a framework of research prospects to guide future research directions in laboratories and industries that focus on the OSS and OWS processes in this important heavy oil production field.
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Remolina MCR, Li Z, Peleato NM. Application of machine learning methods for rapid fluorescence-based detection of naphthenic acids and phenol in natural surface waters. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 430:128491. [PMID: 35739672 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 1.4 billion m3 of fluid tailings produced from oil sands mining operations are currently being held in Alberta, Canada and pose a significant risk to the environment if not properly treated and managed. The ability to quantify levels of toxic compounds, such as naphthenic acids (NAs) and phenol, accurately and rapidly in the produced oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) is required to ensure the protection of the surrounding aquatic environment. In this paper, fluorescence techniques are investigated to rapidly quantify NAs and phenol concentrations in natural surface waters. Machine learning approaches were applied to identify relevant spectral features to improve detection accuracy in the presence of background interference from organic matter in natural waters. NAs were relatively easy to detect by all methods, however deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) resulted in optimized performance for phenol with mean absolute errors of 1.78 - 1.81 mg/L and 4.68-5.41 µg/L, respectively. Visualization of spectral areas of importance revealed that deep CNNs utilized logical areas of the fluorescence spectra associated with NAs and phenol signals. Results suggest machine learning approaches to interpreting fluorescence data can accurately predict individual toxic components of OSPW in natural waters at environmentally relevant concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Claudia Rincón Remolina
- School of Engineering, The University of British Columbia Okanagan, 1137 Alumni Ave., Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada.
| | - Ziyu Li
- School of Engineering, The University of British Columbia Okanagan, 1137 Alumni Ave., Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Nicolás M Peleato
- School of Engineering, The University of British Columbia Okanagan, 1137 Alumni Ave., Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
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7
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Reynolds JS, Jackson BL, Madison BN, Elvidge CK, Frank RA, Hasler CT, Headley JV, Hewitt LM, Peru KM, Yakimowski SB, Orihel DM. Fathead Minnows Exposed to Organic Compounds from Oil Sands Tailings as Embryos Have Reduced Survival, Impaired Development, and Altered Behaviors That Persist into Larval Stages. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:1319-1332. [PMID: 35188283 PMCID: PMC9322567 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Our study evaluated whether exposure to naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs) extracted from oil sands process-affected waters (OSPW) has adverse effects on fish embryos that persist into later life. We exposed fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) embryos to concentrations of NAFCs found in OSPW (2.5-54 mg/L) for 7 days (1 day postfertilization to hatch), then raised surviving larvae in outdoor mesocosms of uncontaminated lake water for 1 month. Embryos exposed to NAFCs were more likely to exhibit malformations (by up to 8-fold) and had slower heart rates (by up to 24%) compared to controls. Fish raised in uncontaminated lake water following exposure to NAFCs as embryos, were 2.5-fold less likely to survive during the larval stage than control fish. These fish also showed up to a 45% decrease in swim activity and a 36% increase in swim burst events during behavioral tests relative to controls. We conclude that exposure to NAFCs during the embryonic stage can have lasting effects on fish survival, physiology, and behavior that persist at least through the larval stage. These findings of delayed mortalities and persistent sublethal effects of embryonic NAFC exposure are relevant to informing the development of regulations on treated OSPW releases from mining operations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1319-1332. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Barry N. Madison
- Department of BiologyQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
- School of Environmental StudiesQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
| | | | - Richard A. Frank
- Water Science and Technology DirectorateEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaBurlingtonOntarioCanada
| | - Caleb T. Hasler
- Department of BiologyUniversity of WinnipegWinnipegManitobaCanada
| | - John V. Headley
- Water Science and Technology DirectorateEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaSaskatoonSaskatchewanCanada
| | - L. Mark Hewitt
- Water Science and Technology DirectorateEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaBurlingtonOntarioCanada
| | - Kerry M. Peru
- Water Science and Technology DirectorateEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaSaskatoonSaskatchewanCanada
| | | | - Diane M. Orihel
- Department of BiologyQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
- School of Environmental StudiesQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
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8
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Thomas MJ, Chan HYH, Palacio Lozano DC, Barrow MP. Solvent and Flow Rate Effects on the Observed Compositional Profiles and the Relative Intensities of Radical and Protonated Species in Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2022; 94:4954-4960. [PMID: 35286808 PMCID: PMC8969439 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c03463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Sample preparation and instrument parameters have regularly been demonstrated to impact upon the observed results in atmospheric pressure photoionization, mass spectrometry (MS), and analytical techniques in general but may be overlooked when such methods are applied to the characterization of real-world samples. An initial investigation into different solvent systems demonstrated that the inclusion of ethyl acetate inverted the ratio of relative intensities of radical and protonated species (R/P). Design of experiments was performed and indicated that the injection flow rate is also a significant factor. The impact of the solvent system and flow rate on signal intensity, the observed compositional profile, and R/P of selected molecular groups is demonstrated further. An inversion of R/P is observed at higher flow rates in solvent systems commonly used in petroleomics studies, effecting a loss of molecular speciation. The findings presented reiterate the critical importance in considering experimental parameters when interpreting the results of analytical procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary J Thomas
- Molecular Analytical Sciences Centre for Doctoral Training, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, England.,Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, England
| | - Ho Yi Holly Chan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, England
| | | | - Mark P Barrow
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, England
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9
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Vander Meulen IJ, Schock DM, Parrott JL, Simair MC, Mundy LJ, Ajaero C, Pauli BD, Peru KM, McMartin DW, Headley JV. Transformation of bitumen-derived naphthenic acid fraction compounds across surface waters of wetlands in the Athabasca Oil Sands region. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150619. [PMID: 34592289 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Bitumen is extracted from oil sands in the Athabasca Oil Sands region (AOSR) of Alberta, Canada. Much of the bitumen-derived toxicity in mine waste is attributable to naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs). Mines in the AOSR are required to be returned to a natural state after closure; thus, cost-effective strategies are needed to reduce toxicity from NAFCs. Previous studies have demonstrated the capability of constructed wetlands to attenuate NAFCs. However, the capacity of wetlands in the natural environment to degrade and transform NAFCs to less toxic components is poorly understood. To better understand the spatial distribution and fate of NAFCs in natural wetlands, samples were collected across the surfaces of two mature opportunistic wetlands near active oil sands mines. The first wetland has a well-defined surface flow pathway and inflows affected by overburden containing lean bitumen ore. The second wetland, in contrast, is a stagnant water body with raw bitumen visible along its edges. For the wetland with a well defined flow path, NAFCs decreased in concentration down gradient, while oxidized NAFCs constituted a greater proportion of NAFCs with increase in flow path. Likewise there was a decrease in the molecular weights of NAFCs, similar to trends observed in constructed wetland treatment systems. In comparison, NAFCs were more uniformly distributed across the relatively stagnant wetland. Overall, these data provide new evidence that mature opportunistic wetlands in the AOSR can promote the degradation and oxidation of bitumen-derived naphthenic acids into less toxic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian J Vander Meulen
- Department of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering, 57 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A9, Canada
| | - Danna M Schock
- Keyano College, 8115 Franklin Ave, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2H7, Canada
| | - Joanne L Parrott
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, 867 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, Ontario L7T 3M3, Canada
| | - Monique C Simair
- Department of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering, 57 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A9, Canada; Maven Water & Environment, 303 Wellman Lane #103, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7T 0G3, Canada
| | - Lukas J Mundy
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Chukwuemeka Ajaero
- Department of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering, 57 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A9, Canada
| | - Bruce D Pauli
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division, National Hydrology Research Center, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Dena W McMartin
- Department of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering, 57 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A9, Canada
| | - John V Headley
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division, National Hydrology Research Center, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3H5, Canada.
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Transcriptome Analysis of Environmental Pseudomonas Isolates Reveals Mechanisms of Biodegradation of Naphthenic Acid Fraction Compounds (NAFCs) in Oil Sands Tailings. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9102124. [PMID: 34683445 PMCID: PMC8540809 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs) are highly recalcitrant constituents of oil sands tailings. Although some microorganisms in the tailings can individually and synergistically metabolize NAFCs, the biochemical mechanisms that underpin these processes are hitherto unknown. To this end, we isolated two microorganisms, Pseudomonas protegens and Pseudomonas putida, from oils sands tailings and analyzed their transcriptomes to shed light on the metabolic processes employed by them to degrade and detoxify NAFCs. We identified 1048, 521 and 1434 genes that are upregulated in P. protegens, P. putida and a 1:1 co-culture of the strains, respectively. We subsequently enumerated the biochemical activities of enriched genes and gene products to reveal the identities of the enzymes that are associated with NAFC degradation. Separately, we analyzed the NAFCs that are degraded by the two pseudomonads and their 1:1 co-culture and determined the composition of the molecules using mass spectrometry. We then compared these molecular formulas to those of the cognate substrates of the enriched enzymes to chart the metabolic network and understand the mechanisms of degradation that are employed by the microbial cultures. Not only does the consortium behave differently than the pure cultures, but our analysis also revealed the mechanisms responsible for accelerated rate of degradation of NAFCs by the co-culture. Our findings provide new directions for engineering or evolving microorganisms and their consortia for degrading NAFCs more stably and aggressively.
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Headley JV, Peru KM, Vander Meulen I. Advances in mass spectrometry for molecular characterization of oil sands naphthenic acids and process chemicals in wetlands. CAN J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjc-2020-0478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Advances in mass spectrometry in the authors’ and key collaborators’ research are reviewed for analysis of oil sands naphthenic acids fraction compounds (NAFCs) and industrial process chemicals, sulfolane and alkanolamines, in wetlands. Focus is given to developments of analyses of NAFCs in constructed wetland treatment systems and natural wetlands in the Athabasca oil sands region, Alberta, Canada. The analytical developments are applied to show the utility of wetlands to sequester and oxidize oil sands naphthenic acids. The advancements in molecular characterization led to the first application of high-resolution mass spectrometry (Fourier transform ion-cyclotron resonance and Orbitrap mass spectrometry) for elucidation of toxic mono- and di-carboxylic NAFCs in oil sands environmental samples. Key findings reveal that oil sands NAFCs are not limited to saturated structures but contain a diverse range of components, many of which contain S, N, heteroatomic species and aromatic species. Other developments of mass spectrometry methods for industrial process chemicals show for the first time that the completely water-miscible chemical, sulfolane, translocate to upper portions of cattails at natural wetland sites in the Canadian environment. Likewise, wetland-plant mediated changes of complex mixtures of alkanolamines were revealed based on the coupling of ion chromatography mass spectrometry and ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry. The advances in mass spectrometry are of particular benefit to Canada, for development of soil and water quality guidelines for oil sands NAFCs and process chemicals. In turn, the water quality guidelines serve to protect Canadian aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- John V. Headley
- Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
- Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Kerry M. Peru
- Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
- Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Ian Vander Meulen
- Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
- Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
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12
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Vander Meulen IJ, Klemish JL, Peru KM, Chen DDY, Pyle GG, Headley JV. Molecular profiles of naphthenic acid fraction compounds from mine lease wetlands in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 272:129892. [PMID: 33601202 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs) are a toxicologically relevant component of oil sands process-affected materials (OSPM). For the first time, we report on differences in the concentrations and distribution of NAFCs from wetlands on an Athabasca oil sands mine site with varied histories of solid and liquid OSPM input. Sampling locations included natural and naturalized reference wetlands, a reclaimed tailings pond, wetlands supplemented with OSPM, opportunistic wetlands, and tailings ponds. Samples were prepared using solid-phase extraction, and analyzed by high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry; NAFC concentrations and characteristics were evaluated for all locations. The NAFCs from tailings ponds were dominated by O3-NAFCs and classical naphthenic acids (NAs; i.e., O2 species) with double bond equivalences of 3 and 4. Reference wetlands had no dominant species, and relatively little NAFC content. The heteroatomic species in opportunistic wetlands were dominated by highly-oxidized NAFC species, where Σ [O3:O6] species constituted 55-75% of the assignable spectrum and 3-4% NAs; in tailings ponds NAs constituted 47-51%. A relatively young (4-year-old) wetland built on a former tailings pond had NAFC concentrations between 65 and 80 mg/L, and NAs constituted 47% of the assignable spectrum. There was thus little apparent oxidation of NAFCs at this young wetland. The composition of NAFCs from one wetland (≥15 years old) supplemented with OSPM contained a greater proportion of oxidized species than tailings, suggesting NAFC transformation therein. These data suggest that while NAFCs are persistent in some wetlands, there is preliminary evidence for oxidation in mature wetlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian J Vander Meulen
- Department of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering, 57 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5A9, Canada
| | - Jaimie L Klemish
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - David Da Yong Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Gregory G Pyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - John V Headley
- Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 3H5, Canada.
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13
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Zito P, Smith DF, Cao X, Ghannam R, Tarr MA. Barium ion adduct mass spectrometry to identify carboxylic acid photoproducts from crude oil-water systems under solar irradiation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2020; 22:2313-2321. [PMID: 33150906 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00390e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Petroleum derived dissolved organic matter (DOMHC) samples were successfully cationized with barium, revealing many [M-H + Ba]+ peaks in both dark and simulated sunlight treatments. The DOMHC samples generated after light exposure exhibited a greater number of [M-H + Ba]+ peaks compared to the dark control. Multiple [M-H + Ba]+ peaks were investigated in the irradiated DOMHC using low resolution MS/MS in order to confirm the presence of diagnostic fragment ions, m/z 139, 155 and 196 in each treatment. Due to the high complexity of the bariated DOMHC mixture, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS/MS) was employed to obtain molecular level information for both irradiated and dark treatments. The irradiated DOMHC treatments had more bariated oxygenated species over a wide range of H/C and O/C when compared to the dark controls. Doubly bariated species were also observed in DOMHC, which provides evidence that photochemistry transforms DOMHC to even more complex mixtures with multiple oxygenations per molecule. This study provides evidence that barium adduct mass spectrometry can be successfully applied to DOMHC screening for the presence of COOHs, both in dark samples and solar irradiated samples. Furthermore, direct evidence and molecular composition of aqueous phase crude oil photoproducts is provided by this technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe Zito
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70148, USA. and Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences, Chemical Analysis & Mass Spectrometry Facility, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70148, USA
| | - Donald F Smith
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, USA
| | - Xian Cao
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70148, USA.
| | - Rana Ghannam
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70148, USA. and Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences, Chemical Analysis & Mass Spectrometry Facility, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70148, USA
| | - Matthew A Tarr
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70148, USA.
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14
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Abib GAP, Martins LL, Araujo LLGCDE, Isidorio TV, Pudenzi MA, Santos VH, Cruz GFDA. Assessing raw materials as potential adsorbents to remove acidic compounds from Brazilian crude oils by ESI (-) FT-ICR MS. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2020; 92:e20200214. [PMID: 33295485 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202020200214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of acidic compounds as naphthenic acids in crude oil causes several problems for the petroleum industry, including corrosion in both upstream and downstream production processes. Based on this scenario, the main objective of this work was to investigate the removal of the acidic compound from two Brazilian heavy oils by adsorption processes using six potential adsorbents: powdered shale, activated carbon, bentonite, silica gel, powdered sandstone and powdered wood. These raw materials were previously characterized by conventional and surface analysis techniques, which show that they offer a good surface area and thermal stability. To evaluate the removal efficiency at the molecular level, the crude oil samples and the filtered oils were analyzed by negative electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry [ESI (-) FTICR MS]. The O2 class, which is related to the relatively high acidity of the samples, was the most abundant in both crude oil samples, moreover, this class was more retained by adsorbents. Silica gel, activated carbon and bentonite were the best adsorbents of acidic compounds from the tested oils, in agreement with their markedly higher surface area and porous volume. Additionally, a chromatographic analysis was performed and showed no changes in the oil profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geizila A P Abib
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Laboratório de Engenharia e Exploração de Petróleo, Rodovia Amaral Peixoto, Km 13, Av. Brenand, s/n, Imboacica, 27925-535 Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Laercio L Martins
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Laboratório de Engenharia e Exploração de Petróleo, Rodovia Amaral Peixoto, Km 13, Av. Brenand, s/n, Imboacica, 27925-535 Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lorraine Louise G C DE Araujo
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Laboratório de Engenharia e Exploração de Petróleo, Rodovia Amaral Peixoto, Km 13, Av. Brenand, s/n, Imboacica, 27925-535 Macaé, RJ, Brazil.,Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, Polo de Xistoquímica, Rua Helio de Almeida, 40, Cidade Universitária, 21941-614 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tatiana V Isidorio
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Laboratório de Engenharia e Exploração de Petróleo, Rodovia Amaral Peixoto, Km 13, Av. Brenand, s/n, Imboacica, 27925-535 Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcos A Pudenzi
- Universidade de Campinas, Instituto de Química, Rua Josué de Castro, s/n, Cidade Universitária, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Victor Hugo Santos
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Laboratório de Engenharia e Exploração de Petróleo, Rodovia Amaral Peixoto, Km 13, Av. Brenand, s/n, Imboacica, 27925-535 Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Georgiana F DA Cruz
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Laboratório de Engenharia e Exploração de Petróleo, Rodovia Amaral Peixoto, Km 13, Av. Brenand, s/n, Imboacica, 27925-535 Macaé, RJ, Brazil
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15
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Bowman DT, Warren LA, Slater GF. Isomer-specific monitoring of naphthenic acids at an oil sands pit lake by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 746:140985. [PMID: 32739755 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) are persistent, toxic contaminants that are found to accumulate in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) and tailings after bitumen extraction. A number of strategies for the reclamation of oil sands tailings are currently being tested, including the development of the first demonstration pit lake by Syncrude Canada, Base Mine Lake (BML). An important component of reclamation activities is understanding the source and cycling of NAs in such reclamation systems. However, NAs exist as a highly complex mixture of thousands of compounds which makes their analysis an ongoing challenge. Herein, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time of flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC/TOFMS) was used to analyze the methylated extracts of water samples from the water cap and fluid fine tailings (FFT) deposit of BML to characterize the variations in NA distributions between geochemical zones. A collection of (alkylated) monocyclic-, bicyclic-, adamantane-, and thiophene-type carboxylic acids were identified. Total relative abundances were calculated for each NA class (by summation of peak areas of all detected isomers) and minimal variability was detected in the water cap. Total relative abundances for each NA class were either similar or higher in the FFT, relative to the water cap. Examination of isomer distributions indicated that differences in abundance values were generally driven by variations in only one or two isomers of a given NA class. Furthermore, GC × GC revealed distinct isomer profiles were observed between two FFT samples and between the FFT and water cap. While it is not yet clear whether these differences are due to differences in sources of NAs or in their environmental processing, these results illustrate the capability of GC × GC to investigate these questions and thus contribute to the management of these compounds within reclamation or environmental systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Bowman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Lesley A Warren
- School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada; Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - Gregory F Slater
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada; School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
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16
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Miles SM, Asiedu E, Balaberda AL, Ulrich AC. Oil sands process affected water sourced Trichoderma harzianum demonstrates capacity for mycoremediation of naphthenic acid fraction compounds. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 258:127281. [PMID: 32540545 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Development of Alberta's oil sands requires large volumes of water, leading to the abundance of oil sands process affected water (OSPW) that must be remediated prior to discharge or reuse. OSPW contains a variety of dissolved organic compounds, however naphthenic acids (NAs) have been found to contribute significantly to the toxicity of OSPW. A fungus, Trichoderma harzianum, isolated directly from OSPW, has previously demonstrated a high tolerance and capacity for growth in the presence of commercial NAs. This study conducted microcosm experiments to elucidate and characterize the capacity of T. harzianum to degrade labile commercial NAs (Merichem), and OSPW-sourced naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs). Additionally, two model NA compounds, the simple single ring cyclohexane carboxylic acid (CHCA) and complex diamondoid 1-adamanatane carboxylic acid (ADA), were utilized to determine the influence of NA structure on degradation. T. harzianum degraded 14% of CHCA, 13% of ADA, and 23-47% of Merichem NAs. Additionally, Orbitrap mass spectrometry revealed a large change in Z-series within NAFCs. This removal and shift in composition correlated to a 59% and 52% drop in toxicity as per Microtox, for Merichem NAs and NAFCs respectively. This proof of concept experiment confirms that the fungal species T. harzianum can contribute to the biodegradation of complex dissolved organics found in OSPW, including cyclic and diamondoid structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Miles
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Evelyn Asiedu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Amy-Lynne Balaberda
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ania C Ulrich
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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17
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Developments in Molecular Level Characterization of Naphthenic Acid Fraction Compounds Degradation in a Constructed Wetland Treatment System. ENVIRONMENTS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/environments7100089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The reclamation of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) is a matter of environmental importance because of the aquatic toxicity to biota. This study describes refinements in advanced analytical methods to assess the performance of biological treatment systems for OSPW, such as constructed wetland treatment systems (CWTSs). Assessment of treatment efficiency by measurement of the degradation of naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs) in OSPW is challenging in CWTS due to potentially interfering constituents such as humic acids, organic acids, salts, and hydrocarbons. Here we have applied a previous weak anion exchange (WAX) solid-phase extraction (SPE) method and high-resolution Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (MS) to remove major interferences from the NAFC analysis. The refinements in data processing employing principal component analysis (PCA) indicates that the relative abundance of NAFCs decreased with time in the treated OSPW relative to the untreated OSPW. The most saturated NAFCs with higher carbon numbers were relatively more degraded as compared to unsaturated NAFCs. The use of Kendrick plots and van Krevelen plots for assessment of the performance of the CWTS is shown to be well-suited to detailed monitoring of the complex composition of NAFCs as a function of degradation. The developments and application of analytical methods such as the WAX SPE method and high-resolution Orbitrap-MS are demonstrated as tools enabling the advancement of CWTS design and optimization, enabling passive or semi-passive water treatment systems to be a viable opportunity for OSPW treatment.
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18
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Meshref MNA, Ibrahim MD, Huang R, Yang L, How ZT, Klamerth N, Chelme-Ayala P, Hughes SA, Brown C, Mahaffey A, Gamal El-Din M. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as a surrogate tool for the quantification of naphthenic acids in oil sands process water and groundwater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 734:139191. [PMID: 32460069 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs), defined herein as the polar organic compounds extracted from the acidified oil sands process water (OSPW) samples using dichloromethane, are becoming the research hotspot due to their presence in large amount in OSPW and along with other potentially NA-contaminated water streams from the mining site. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) method is commonly used to quantify NAFCs and assumes that the total NA concentration is measured as the sum of the responses for all carboxylic acid functional groups. In this study, the NAFCs in various OSPW and groundwater (GW) samples from an active oil sands mining site were analyzed using FTIR. All water samples were pretreated using either solid-phase extraction (SPE) or liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) methods before analysis. The results showed that SPE produced higher recoveries of NAFCs than LLE for most water samples under current experimental conditions. For the quantification of NAFCs, commercial Fluka NA mixture and a pre-calibrated OSPW extract were employed as the calibration standards. The NAFCs calibrated with Fluka NA mixture and OSPW extract had clear linear relationships. The concentrations of NAFCs obtained using OSPW extract standard curve were 2.5 times the NAFC concentrations obtained using the Fluka NA mixture standard curve. Additionally, good linear correlations were observed between the total NAs and O2-O6 NA species determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOFMS) and the NAFCs measured by FTIR. According to these correlations, the NA compositions in NAFCs were developed, and the relative abundances of O2-O6 NA species in NAFCs were similar for SPE and LLE pretreated samples. The findings of this study demonstrated that FTIR could be used as a promising tool to monitor total NA species and to estimate the NA profile in different environmental water samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed N A Meshref
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Mohamed D Ibrahim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Rongfu Huang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Lingling Yang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Zuo Tong How
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Nikolaus Klamerth
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Pamela Chelme-Ayala
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Sarah A Hughes
- Shell Health - Americas, Shell Oil Company, 150 North Dairy Ashford Road, Houston, TX 77079, USA.
| | - Christine Brown
- Canadian Natural, Technology and Development, 324-8th Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 2Z2, Canada
| | - Ashley Mahaffey
- Coral Waters Consulting Inc., Shell Technology Centre Calgary, 3655 36 St NW, Calgary, AB T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Mohamed Gamal El-Din
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada.
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19
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Challis JK, Parajas A, Anderson JC, Asiedu E, Martin JW, Wong CS, Ross MS. Photodegradation of bitumen-derived organics in oil sands process-affected water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2020; 22:1243-1255. [PMID: 32227038 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00005a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The chemical composition of water-soluble organics in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) is primarily composed of natural constituents of bitumen that are solubilized and concentrated during aqueous extraction of oil sands. OSPW organics are persistent and acutely toxic, and a leading remediation strategy is long-term ageing in end-pit lakes, despite limited data available on its photochemical fate. Here, direct photolysis of whole OSPW, or of its constituent fractions, was examined at environmentally relevant wavelengths (>290 nm) in bench-top studies. Changes in the chemical profiles of whole OSPW, acid- (AEO), and base-extractable organics (BEO) were characterized by liquid chromatography with ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry in negative (-) and positive (+) ionization modes. Following 18 d of irradiation, photolysis reduced the total ion intensity in all samples in both modes. The most photo-labile species included the O2-, O3-, O4-, O2S-, and O4S- chemical classes, which were depleted in whole OSPW by 93-100% after only 5 d. In positive mode, detected species were more recalcitrant than those detected in negative mode, with an average reduction across all heteroatomic classes of 75 ± 11.0% after 18 d. Estimated environmental half-lives for heteroatomic classes ranged from 57 d (O4S-) to 545 d (O3N+), with a greater recalcitrance for classes detected in positive mode compared to negative mode. Under field conditions in end-pit lakes, natural photolysis may be an important mechanism for effective OSPW remediation, and we suggest that future end-pit lakes be shallow to maximize light penetration and natural photolysis in ageing OSPW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan K Challis
- Department of Chemistry, Richardson College for the Environment, The University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada
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20
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Scott AC, Zubot W, Davis CW, Brogly J. Bioaccumulation potential of naphthenic acids and other ionizable dissolved organics in oil sands process water (OSPW) - A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 712:134558. [PMID: 31831242 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Bitumen recovery via mining in Alberta's Athabasca region generates large quantities of oil sands process water (OSPW). Aquatic toxicity of OSPW has been well-studied and the class of organic compounds referred to as naphthenic acids (NAs) are consistently implicated as the primary driver. Proposed lease closure options include treated produced waters in reclaimed landscapes such as pit lakes and wetlands. Consequently, it is crucial to understand the bioaccumulation potential of NAs and other OSPW dissolved organics in these environments. Early studies were focussed only on NAs due to analytical limitations, however, later studies investigated additional classes of dissolved organics in OSPW. Reported bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for NAs in fish and amphibians range from 0.24 to 53 L/kg wet-weight. Most quantitative assessments of NAs bioaccumulation potential evaluated commercial NAs mixtures as a surrogate for OSPW and used using single-ion monitoring for measuring NAs concentrations. The resulting BCF values are based on the NA isomers that conform to the formula, C13H22O2. More recently, an advanced analytical technique capable of determining the profile of different isomer classes in OSPW showed that NAs and other OSPW ionizable dissolved organics (OSPW-IDO) have low partitioning to simulated biological storage lipids, suggesting low bioaccumulation potential. Using the same analytical technique to assess in vivo fish exposures, a subsequent study reported a range of BCFs for OSPW NAs between 0.7 and 53 L/kg wet-weight and heteroatomic isomer classes containing S or N heteroatoms had BCFs between 0.6 and 28 L/kg wet-weight. Reported BCFs for all isomer classes of the OSPW-IDO fraction were less than the Canadian standard for bioaccumulative designation (i.e., BCF ≥ 5000).
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela C Scott
- Unaffiliated private contractor, correspondence c/o Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA), 520 5th Avenue SW, Suite 1700, Calgary, AB T2P3R7, Canada.
| | - Warren Zubot
- Syncrude Canada Ltd., Edmonton Research Centre, 9421 17 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6N1H4, Canada.
| | - Craig W Davis
- ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, Inc., 1545 US Highway 22 East, Annandale, NJ 08801, United States.
| | - John Brogly
- Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA), 520 5th Avenue SW, Suite 1700, Calgary, AB T2P3R7, Canada.
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21
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Brunswick P, Shang D, Frank RA, van Aggelen G, Kim M, Hewitt LM. Diagnostic Ratio Analysis: A New Concept for the Tracking of Oil Sands Process-Affected Water Naphthenic Acids and Other Water-Soluble Organics in Surface Waters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:2228-2243. [PMID: 31968936 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A diagnostic ratio forensics tool, similar to that recognized internationally for oil spill source identification, is proposed for use in conjunction with existing LC/QToF quantitative methodology for bitumen-derived water-soluble organics (WSOs). The concept recognizes that bitumen WSOs bear a chemical skeletal relationship to stearane and hopane oil biomarkers. The method uses response ratios for 50 selected WSOs compared between samples by their relative percent difference and adopted acceptance criteria. Oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) samples from different locations within a single tailings pond were shown to match, while those from different industrial sites did not. Acid extractable organic samples collected over 3 weeks from the same location within a single tailings pond matched with each other; as did temporal OSPW samples a year apart. Blind quality assurance samples of OSPW diluted in surface waters were positively identified to their corresponding OSPW source. No interferences were observed from surface waters, and there was no match between bitumen-influenced groundwater and OSPW samples, as expected for different sources. Proof of concept for OSPW source identification using diagnostic ratios was demonstrated, with anticipated application in the tracking of OSPW plumes in surface receiving waters, together with the potential for confirmation of source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Brunswick
- Pacific and Yukon Laboratory for Environmental Testing, Science & Technology Branch, Pacific Environmental Science Centre , Environment and Climate Change Canada , North Vancouver , British Columbia V7H 1B1 , Canada
| | - Dayue Shang
- Pacific and Yukon Laboratory for Environmental Testing, Science & Technology Branch, Pacific Environmental Science Centre , Environment and Climate Change Canada , North Vancouver , British Columbia V7H 1B1 , Canada
| | - Richard A Frank
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division , Environment and Climate Change Canada , Burlington , Ontario L7S 1A1 , Canada
| | - Graham van Aggelen
- Pacific and Yukon Laboratory for Environmental Testing, Science & Technology Branch, Pacific Environmental Science Centre , Environment and Climate Change Canada , North Vancouver , British Columbia V7H 1B1 , Canada
| | - Marcus Kim
- Agilent Technologies, Inc. , Mississauga , Ontario L5N 5M4 , Canada
| | - L Mark Hewitt
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division , Environment and Climate Change Canada , Burlington , Ontario L7S 1A1 , Canada
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22
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Madison BN, Reynolds J, Halliwell L, Leshuk T, Gu F, Peru KM, Headley JV, Orihel DM. Can the toxicity of naphthenic acids in oil sands process-affected water be mitigated by a green photocatalytic method? Facets (Ott) 2020. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2019-0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Our study evaluates the efficacy of a “green” (i.e., sustainable, recyclable, and reusable) technology to treat waste waters produced by Canada’s oil sands industry. We examined the ability of a novel advanced oxidative method—ultra-violet photocatalysis over titanium dioxide (TiO2)-coated microparticles—to reduce the toxicity of naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFC) to early life stages of the fathead minnow ( Pimephales promelas). Lengthening the duration of photocatalysis resulted in greater removal of NAFC from bioassay exposure waters; low- and high-intensity treatments reduced NAFC concentrations to about 20 and 3 mg/L (by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, FTIR), respectively. Treatments reduced the acute lethality of NAFC to fathead minnows by over half after low-intensity treatment and three-fold after high-intensity treatment. However, incomplete degradation in low-intensity treatments increased the incidence of chronic toxicity relative to untreated NAFC solutions and cardiovascular abnormalities were common even with >80% of NAFC degraded. Our findings demonstrate that photocatalysis over TiO2 microparticles is a promising method for mitigating the toxicity of oil sands process-affected water-derived NAFC to fish native to the oil sands region, but the intensity of the photocatalytic treatment needs to be considered carefully to ensure adequate mineralization of toxic constituents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry N. Madison
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Jessie Reynolds
- Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Lauren Halliwell
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Tim Leshuk
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Frank Gu
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Kerry M. Peru
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - John V. Headley
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Diane M. Orihel
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
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23
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Fennell J, Arciszewski TJ. Current knowledge of seepage from oil sands tailings ponds and its environmental influence in northeastern Alberta. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 686:968-985. [PMID: 31200313 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Seepage of oil sand process-affected waters (OSPW) from tailings ponds into surface waters is a common concern in the minable oil sands region of northeast Alberta. Research on seepage has been extensive, but few comprehensive treatments evaluating all aspects relevant to the phenomenon are available. In this work, the current information relevant for understanding the state of seepage from tailings ponds was reviewed. The information suggests the infiltration of OSPW into groundwater occurs near some ponds. OSPW may also be present in sediments beneath the Athabasca River adjacent to one pond, but there are no clear observations of OSPW in the river water. Similarly, most water samples from tributaries also show no evidence of OSPW, but these observations are limited by the lack of systematic, systemic, and repeated surveys, missing baseline data, standard analytical approaches, and reference materials. Waters naturally influenced by bitumen, discharge of saline groundwaters, and dilution also potentially affect the consolidation of information and certainty of any conclusions. Despite these challenges, some data suggest OSPW may be present in two tributaries of the Athabasca River adjacent to tailings ponds: McLean Creek and Lower Beaver River. Irrespective of the possible source(s), constituents of OSPW often affect organisms exposed in laboratories, but research in all but one study suggests the concentrations of organics in the surface water bodies assessed are below the standard toxicological effect thresholds for these compounds. In contrast, many samples of groundwater, irrespective of source, likely affect biota. Biomonitoring of surface waters suggests generic responses to stressors, but the influence of natural phenomena and occasionally nutrient enrichment are often suggested by data. In summary, valuable research has been done on seepage. The data suggest infiltration into groundwater is common, seepage into surface waters is not, and anthropogenic biological impacts are not likely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Fennell
- Integrated Sustainability, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Ripmeester MJ, Duford DA. Method for routine "naphthenic acids fraction compounds" determination in oil sands process-affected water by liquid-liquid extraction in dichloromethane and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 233:687-696. [PMID: 31195273 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Formerly classified as naphthenic acids, "naphthenic acids fraction compounds" (NAFC) have become the subject of increasing research, in particular in view of their ubiquitous presence in the Canadian oil sands of Northern Alberta and oil sands process-affected waters (OSPW). NAFC, defined herein as the polar acid-extractable organics fraction of OSPW extractable in dichloromethane, are released into OSPW during the aqueous extraction of oil sands. A method for determining total NAFC concentration based on acidification, liquid-liquid extraction, and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) was developed by Jivraj et al. in 1995. It has become widely used in the oil sands industry for routine monitoring of NAFC. Since then, multiple variations of the method are practiced by different laboratories using different calibration materials and different extraction solvents, differences which were found to affect the results by as much as 38 and 64 percent respectively. The goal of this study was to establish a robust method for routinely quantifying NAFC that does not require complex and expensive laboratory equipment such as mass spectrometers. Described improvements include a semi-automated rolling extraction and the use of a vacuum evaporator unit to reduce the method's environmental impact. The improved FT-IR method avoids emulsions, is precise, provides good agreement with gravimetric determinations of NAFC, increases sample throughput, is inexpensive compared to MS methods, and offers a typical reporting limit of 0.1 mg kg-1. The residue recovered by this method with minimal losses can be further analyzed by MS techniques to characterize and identify individual NAFC components if desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Ripmeester
- Syncrude Canada Ltd., Research & Development Centre, Analytical Research, 9421 17 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6N 1H4, Canada
| | - David A Duford
- Syncrude Canada Ltd., Research & Development Centre, Analytical Research, 9421 17 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6N 1H4, Canada.
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Tanna RN, Redman AD, Frank RA, Arciszewski TJ, Zubot WA, Wrona FJ, Brogly JA, Munkittrick KR. Overview of Existing Science to Inform Oil Sands Process Water Release: A Technical Workshop Summary. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2019; 15:519-527. [PMID: 30908840 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The extraction of oil sands from mining operations in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region uses an alkaline hot water extraction process. The oil sands process water (OSPW) is recycled to facilitate material transport (e.g., ore and tailings), process cooling, and is also reused in the extraction process. The industry has expanded since commercial mining began in 1967 and companies have been accumulating increasing inventories of OSPW. Short- and long-term sustainable water management practices require the ability to return treated water to the environment. The safe release of OSPW needs to be based on sound science and engineering practices to ensure downstream protection of ecological and human health. A significant body of research has contributed to the understanding of the chemistry and toxicity of OSPW. A multistakeholder science workshop was held in September 2017 to summarize the state of science on the toxicity and chemistry of OSPW. The goal of the workshop was to review completed research in the areas of toxicology, chemical analysis, and monitoring to support the release of treated oil sands water. A key outcome from the workshop was identifying research needs to inform future water management practices required to support OSPW return. Another key outcome of the workshop was the recognition that methods are sufficiently developed to characterize chemical and toxicological characteristics of OSPW to address and close knowledge gaps. Industry, government, and local indigenous stakeholders have proceeded to utilize these insights in reviewing policy and regulations. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:519-527. © 2019 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aaron D Redman
- ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, Annandale, New Jersey, USA
| | - Richard A Frank
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario
| | - Tim J Arciszewski
- Alberta Environment and Parks, Environmental Monitoring and Science Division, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Warren A Zubot
- Syncrude Canada Ltd, Edmonton Research Centre, Edmonton, Alberta
| | - Frederick J Wrona
- Environmental Monitoring and Science Division, Alberta Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - John A Brogly
- Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance, Calgary, Alberta
| | - Kelly R Munkittrick
- Cold Regions and Water Initiatives, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Bauer AE, Frank RA, Headley JV, Milestone CB, Batchelor S, Peru KM, Rudy MD, Barrett SE, Vanderveen R, Dixon DG, Hewitt LM. A preparative method for the isolation and fractionation of dissolved organic acids from bitumen-influenced waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 671:587-597. [PMID: 30933815 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The surface mining of oil sands north of Fort McMurray, Alberta produces considerable tailings waste that is stored in large tailings ponds on industrial lease sites. Viable strategies for the detoxification of oil sands process affected water (OSPW) are under investigation. In order to assess the toxic potential of the suite of dissolved organics in OSPW, a method for their extraction and fractionation was developed using solid phase extraction. The method successfully isolated organic compounds from 180 L of an aged OSPW source. Using acidic- or alkaline-conditioned non-polar ENV+ resin and soxhlet extraction with ethyl acetate and methanol, three fractions (F1-F3) were generated. Chemical characterization of the generated fractions included infusion to electrospray ionization ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-UHRMS), liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, gas chromatography triple quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS). Additionally, ESI-UHRMS class distribution data and SFS identified an increased degree of oxygenation and aromaticity, associated with increased polarity. Method validation, which included method and matrix spikes with surrogate and labelled organic mono carboxylic acid standards, confirmed separation according to acidity and polarity with generally good recoveries (average 76%). Because this method is capable of extracting large sample volumes, it is amenable to thorough chemical characterization and toxicological assessments with a suite of bioassays. As such, this protocol will facilitate effects-directed analysis of toxic components within bitumen-influenced waters from a variety of sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony E Bauer
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - R A Frank
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - J V Headley
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - C B Milestone
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - S Batchelor
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - K M Peru
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - M D Rudy
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - S E Barrett
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - R Vanderveen
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - D G Dixon
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - L M Hewitt
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, Canada.
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Lari E, Steinkey D, Razmara P, Mohaddes E, Pyle GG. Oil sands process-affected water impairs the olfactory system of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 170:62-67. [PMID: 30529621 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.11.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), a byproduct of the extraction of bitumen in the surface mining of oil sands, is currently stored in massive on-site tailings ponds. Determining the potential effects of OSPW on aquatic ecosystems is of main concern to oil sands companies and legislators concerned about the reclamation of mining sites. In the present study, the interaction of OSPW with the chemosensory system of rainbow trout was studied. Using an electro-olfactography (EOG) technique, a 24 h inhibition curve was established and concentrations that inhibit the olfactory system by 20% and 80% (IC20 and IC80) were estimated at 3% and 22% OSPW, respectively. To study the interaction of exposure time and concentration along with the mechanism of the toxic effects, rainbow trout were exposed to 3% and 22% OSPW for 2, 24, and 96 h. An EOG investigation of olfactory sensitivity demonstrated a positive interaction between exposure time and concentration of OSPW concentration, because an increase in either or both elevated the inhibitory effect. To investigate whether or not structural damage of the olfactory epithelium could account for the observed inhibitory effects of OSPW on fish olfaction, the ultrastructure of the olfactory epithelium of exposed fish was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM). The SEM micrographs showed no changes in the structure of the olfactory epithelium. The light micrographs revealed an increase in the number of mucous cells in 22% OSPW. The results of the present study demonstrated that exposure to OSPW impairs the olfactory system of rainbow trout and its effects increase gradually with increasing exposure time. The present study demonstrated that structural epithelial damage did not contribute to the inhibitory effects of OSPW on the olfactory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebrahim Lari
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge AB T1K 3M4, Canada.
| | - Dylan Steinkey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Parastoo Razmara
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Effat Mohaddes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Greg G Pyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge AB T1K 3M4, Canada
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Kilgour B, Mahaffey A, Brown C, Hughes S, Hatry C, Hamilton L. Variation in toxicity and ecological risks associated with some oil sands groundwaters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 659:1224-1233. [PMID: 31096335 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The surface mining of oil sands deposits requires the removal of groundwater to stabilize the deposit (depressurization) and make it safe for mining. The chemistry and toxicity of deep groundwaters (from 45 to 144 m below an active mining operation) were characterized to determine if the release of groundwaters would pose a risk to a receiving aquatic environment. Concentrations of conventional chemicals such as nutrients and metals were generally below CCME chronic guidelines. Concentrations of oil sands naphthenic acids (NAs) varied depending on the method of measurement and were routinely >1 mg L-1. Groundwaters rarely caused lethality to fish and invertebrates in standard acute and chronic toxicity tests. Algal cell production was negatively correlated with chlorides and potentially negatively with NAs. Other chronic toxicity variations were less obviously correlated with measured chemistry. The groundwaters had moderately-high oxygen demand (2 to 33 mg L-1), likely associated with nutrients and organic substances, and thus have the potential to enrich receiving surface water environments if left untreated and depending on the receiving environment. This paper presents for the first time a comprehensive (3 year) pairing of water chemistry and toxicity data on groundwaters collected from aquifer depressurization wells below an active oil sands operation. These data will contribute to a better understanding of the environmental risk these waters potentially pose, and ultimately, to the improvement of water management strategies and the reduction of the overall surface mining footprint of oil sands operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Kilgour
- Kilgour & Associates Ltd, 16-2285C St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4Z6, Canada.
| | - Ashley Mahaffey
- Coral Waters Consulting, Shell Technology Centre Calgary, 3655 36 St NW, Calgary, AB T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Christine Brown
- Shell Canada Ltd, Shell Technology Centre Calgary, 3655 36 St NW, Calgary, AB T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Sarah Hughes
- Shell Health - Americas, 150 North Dairy Ashford Road, Houston, TX 77079, United States; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada; Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Charles Hatry
- Kilgour & Associates Ltd, 16-2285C St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4Z6, Canada
| | - Liza Hamilton
- Kilgour & Associates Ltd, 16-2285C St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4Z6, Canada
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Rukosueva EA, Dobrolyubov EO, Goryacheva IY, Beklemishev MK. Discrimination of whiskies using an “add-a-fluorophore” fluorescent fingerprinting strategy. Microchem J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Bowman DT, Warren LA, McCarry BE, Slater GF. Profiling of individual naphthenic acids at a composite tailings reclamation fen by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 649:1522-1531. [PMID: 30308920 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) are naturally occurring in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) and accumulate in tailings as a result of water-based extraction processes. NAs exist as a complex mixture, so the development of an analytical technique to characterize them has been an on-going challenge. The aim of this study was to use comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry to monitor individual NAs within a wetland reclamation site in the AOSR. Samples were collected from four monitoring wells at the site and the extracts were found to contain numerous resolved isomers of classical (monocyclic-, bicyclic-, adamantane-, indane-, and tetralin-type carboxylic acids) and sulfur-containing NAs (thiamonocyclic- and thiophene-type carboxylic acids). The absolute abundances of the monitored NAs were compared between four monitoring wells and unique profiles were observed at each well. Few significant changes in absolute abundances were observed over the sampling period, with the exception of one well (Well 6A). In addition, isomeric percent compositions were calculated for each set of structural isomers, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and two-dimensional hierarchical cluster analysis revealed high spatial variation at the site. However, consistent distributions were observed at each of the monitoring wells for some sets of NA isomers (such as: adamantane NAs), which may be useful for forensic applications, such as identifying sources of contamination or demonstrating biodegradation. The methods and results presented in this study demonstrate the utility of monitoring individual NAs, since both changes in absolute abundances of individual NAs and the distribution of NA isomers have the ability to provide insight into their sources and the processes controlling their concentrations that are not only of relevance to the Alberta Oil Sands, but also to other petroleum deposits and environmental systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Bowman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W., Hamilton L8S 4M1, ON, Canada
| | - Lesley A Warren
- School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W., Hamilton L8S 4K1, ON, Canada; Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George St. Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - Brian E McCarry
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W., Hamilton L8S 4M1, ON, Canada
| | - Gregory F Slater
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W., Hamilton L8S 4M1, ON, Canada; School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W., Hamilton L8S 4K1, ON, Canada.
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Leshuk T, Peru KM, de Oliveira Livera D, Tripp A, Bardo P, Headley JV, Gu F. Petroleomic analysis of the treatment of naphthenic organics in oil sands process-affected water with buoyant photocatalysts. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 141:297-306. [PMID: 29803095 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The persistence of toxicity associated with the soluble naphthenic organic compounds (NOCs) of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) implies that a treatment solution may be necessary to enable safe return of this water to the environment. Due to recent advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), the majority of the toxicity of OSPW is currently understood to derive from a subset of toxic classes, comprising only a minority of the total NOCs. Herein, oxidative treatment of OSPW with buoyant photocatalysts was evaluated under a petroleomics paradigm: chemical changes across acid-, base- and neutral-extractable organic fractions were tracked throughout the treatment with both positive and negative ion mode electrospray ionization (ESI) Orbitrap MS. Elimination of detected OS+ and NO+ classes of concern in the earliest stages of the treatment, along with preferential degradation of high carbon-numbered O2- acids, suggest that photocatalysis may detoxify OSPW with higher efficiency than previously thought. Application of petroleomic level analysis offers unprecedented insights into the treatment of petroleum impacted water, allowing reaction trends to be followed across multiple fractions and thousands of compounds simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Leshuk
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Diogo de Oliveira Livera
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Austin Tripp
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Patrick Bardo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - John V Headley
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Frank Gu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
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Ajaero C, Peru KM, Simair M, Friesen V, O'Sullivan G, Hughes SA, McMartin DW, Headley JV. Fate and behavior of oil sands naphthenic acids in a pilot-scale treatment wetland as characterized by negative-ion electrospray ionization Orbitrap mass spectrometry. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 631-632:829-839. [PMID: 29727993 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Large volumes of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) are generated during the extraction of bitumen from oil sands in the Athabasca region of northeastern Alberta, Canada. As part of the development of treatment technologies, molecular characterization of naphthenic acids (NAs) and naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFC) in wetlands is a topic of research to better understand their fate and behavior in aquatic environments. Reported here is the application of high-resolution negative-ion electrospray Orbitrap-mass spectrometry for molecular characterization of NAs and NAFCs in a non-aerated constructed treatment wetland. The effectiveness of the wetlands to remove OSPW-NAs and NAFCs was evaluated by monitoring the changes in distributions of NAFC compounds in the untreated sample and non-aerated treatment system. After correction for measured evapotranspiration, the removal rate of the classical NAs followed approximately first-order kinetics, with higher rates observed for structures with relatively higher number of carbon atoms. These findings indicate that constructed wetland treatment is a viable method for removal of classical NAs in OSPW. Work is underway to evaluate the effects of wetland design on water quality improvement, preferential removal of different NAFC species, and reduction in toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chukwuemeka Ajaero
- Environmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, 3737 Wascana Parkway, S4S 0A2, Canada; Watershed Hydrology & Ecology Research Division, Water Science & Technology Directorate, Environment & Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Watershed Hydrology & Ecology Research Division, Water Science & Technology Directorate, Environment & Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Monique Simair
- Contango Strategies Limited, 15-410 Downey Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 4N1, Canada
| | - Vanessa Friesen
- Contango Strategies Limited, 15-410 Downey Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 4N1, Canada
| | - Gwen O'Sullivan
- Department of Earth & Environmental Science, Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6, Canada
| | - Sarah A Hughes
- Shell Health - Americas, One Shell Plaza, 910 Louisiana, Houston, TX 77002, USA
| | - Dena W McMartin
- Environmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, 3737 Wascana Parkway, S4S 0A2, Canada; Department of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering, 57 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A9, Canada.
| | - John V Headley
- Watershed Hydrology & Ecology Research Division, Water Science & Technology Directorate, Environment & Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3H5, Canada
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MacLennan MS, Peru KM, Swyngedouw C, Fleming I, Chen DDY, Headley JV. Characterization of Athabasca lean oil sands and mixed surficial materials: Comparison of capillary electrophoresis/low-resolution mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2018; 32:695-702. [PMID: 29486520 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Oil sands mining in Alberta, Canada, requires removal and stockpiling of considerable volumes of near-surface overburden material. This overburden includes lean oil sands (LOS) which cannot be processed economically but contain sparingly soluble petroleum hydrocarbons and naphthenic acids, which can leach into environmental waters. In order to measure and track the leaching of dissolved constituents and distinguish industrially derived organics from naturally occurring organics in local waters, practical methods were developed for characterizing multiple sources of contaminated water leakage. METHODS Capillary electrophoresis/positive-ion electrospray ionization low-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE/LRMS), high-resolution negative-ion electrospray ionization Orbitrap mass spectrometry (HRMS) and conventional gas chromatography/flame ionization detection (GC/FID) were used to characterize porewater samples collected from within Athabasca LOS and mixed surficial materials. GC/FID was used to measure total petroleum hydrocarbon and HRMS was used to measure total naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs). HRMS and CE/LRMS were used to characterize samples according to source. RESULTS The amounts of total petroleum hydrocarbon in each sample as measured by GC/FID ranged from 0.1 to 15.1 mg/L while the amounts of NAFCs as measured by HRMS ranged from 5.3 to 82.3 mg/L. Factors analysis (FA) on HRMS data visually demonstrated clustering according to sample source and was correlated to molecular formula. LRMS coupled to capillary electrophoresis separation (CE/LRMS) provides important information on NAFC isomers by adding analyte migration time data to m/z and peak intensity. CONCLUSIONS Differences in measured amounts of total petroleum hydrocarbons by GC/FID and NAFCs by HRMS indicate that the two methods provide complementary information about the nature of dissolved organic species in a soil or water leachate samples. NAFC molecule class Ox Sy is a possible tracer for LOS seepage. CE/LRMS provides complementary information and is a feasible and practical option for source evaluation of NAFCs in water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S MacLennan
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Water Science Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3H5, Canada
| | | | - Ian Fleming
- Department of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A9, Canada
| | - David D Y Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - John V Headley
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada
- Water Science Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3H5, Canada
- Department of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A9, Canada
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Improved coverage of naphthenic acid fraction compounds by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2018; 1536:88-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2017.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Aitken C, Head I, Jones D, Rowland S, Scarlett A, West C. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of complex mixtures of anaerobic bacterial metabolites of petroleum hydrocarbons. J Chromatogr A 2018; 1536:96-109. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2017.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Ahad JME, Pakdel H, Lavoie D, Lefebvre R, Peru KM, Headley JV. Naphthenic acids in groundwater overlying undeveloped shale gas and tight oil reservoirs. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 191:664-672. [PMID: 29078190 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The acid extractable organics (AEOs) containing naphthenic acids (NAs) in groundwater overlying undeveloped shale gas (Saint-Édouard region) and tight oil (Haldimand sector, Gaspé) reservoirs in Québec, Canada, were analysed using high resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry and thermal conversion/elemental analysis - isotope ratio mass spectrometry. As classically defined by CnH2n+ZO2, the most abundant NAs detected in the majority of groundwater samples were straight-chain (Z = 0) or monounsaturated (Z = -2) C16 and C18 fatty acids. Several groundwater samples from both study areas, however, contained significant proportions of presumably alicyclic bicyclic NAs (i.e., Z = -4) in the C10-C18 range. These compounds may have originated from migrated waters containing a different distribution of NAs, or are the product of in situ microbial alteration of shale organic matter and petroleum. In most groundwater samples, intramolecular carbon isotope values generated by pyrolysis (δ13Cpyr) of AEOs were on average around 2-3‰ heavier than those generated by bulk combustion (δ13C) of AEOs, providing further support for microbial reworking of subsurface organic carbon. Although concentrations of AEOs were very low (<2.0 mg/L), the detection of potentially toxic bicyclic acids in groundwater overlying unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs points to a natural background source of organic contaminants prior to any large-scale commercial hydrocarbon development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M E Ahad
- Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada.
| | - Hooshang Pakdel
- INRS, Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Denis Lavoie
- Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - René Lefebvre
- INRS, Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Québec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - John V Headley
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3H5, Canada
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Kovalchik KA, MacLennan MS, Peru KM, Ajaero C, McMartin DW, Headley JV, Chen DDY. Characterization of dicarboxylic naphthenic acid fraction compounds utilizing amide derivatization: Proof of concept. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2017; 31:2057-2065. [PMID: 28944977 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The characterization of naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs) in oil sands process affected water (OSPW) is of interest for both toxicology studies and regulatory reasons. Previous studies utilizing authentic standards have identified dicarboxylic naphthenic acids using two-dimensional gas chromatography hyphenated to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC/TOFMS). The selective derivatization of hydroxyl groups has also recently aided in the characterization of oxy-NAFCs, and indirectly the characterization of dicarboxylic NAFCs. However, there has been no previous report of derivatization being used to directly aid in the standard-free characterization of NAFCs with multiple carboxylic acid functional groups. Herein we present proof-of-concept for the characterization of dicarboxylic NAFCs utilizing amide derivatization. METHODS Carboxylic acid groups in OSPW extract and in a dicarboxylic acidstandard were derivatized to amides using a previously described method. The derivatized extract and derivatized standard were analyzed by direct-injection positive-mode electrospray ionization ((+)ESI) high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and the underivatized extract was analyzed by (-)ESI MS. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was carried out on selected ions of the derivatized standard and derivatized OSPW. Data analysis was carried out using the Python programming language. RESULTS The distribution of monocarboxylic NAFCs observed in the amide-derivatized OSPW sample by (+)ESI-MS was generally similar to that seen in underivatized OSPW by (-)ESI-MS. The dicarboxylic acid standard shows evidence of being doubly derivatized, although the second derivatization appears to be inefficient. Furthermore, a spectrum of potential diacid NAFCs is presented, identified by both charge state and derivatization mass. Interference due to the presence of multiple derivatization products is noted, but can be eliminated using on-line separation or an isotopically labelled derivatization reagent. CONCLUSIONS Proof of concept for the characterization of dicarboxylic NAFCs utilizing amide derivatization is demonstrated. Furthermore, (+)ESI-HRMS of the derivatized monocarboxylic NAFCS yields similar information to (-)ESI-MS analysis of underivatized NAFCs, with the benefit of added selectivity for carboxylic acid species and the characterization of diacids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Kovalchik
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z1
| | - Matthew S MacLennan
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z1
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Water Science Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, S7N 3H5
| | - Chukwuemeka Ajaero
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, Canada, S4S 0A2
| | - Dena W McMartin
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, Canada, S4S 0A2
| | - John V Headley
- Water Science Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, S7N 3H5
| | - David D Y Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z1
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Yassine MM, Dabek-Zlotorzynska E. Application of ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the characterization of organic aerosol: Searching for naphthenic acids. J Chromatogr A 2017; 1512:22-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2017.06.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Bauer AE, Frank RA, Headley JV, Peru KM, Farwell AJ, Dixon DG. Toxicity of oil sands acid-extractable organic fractions to freshwater fish: Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow) and Oryzias latipes (Japanese medaka). CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 171:168-176. [PMID: 28013078 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.12.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The Alberta oil sands are one of the largest global petroleum deposits and, due to non-release practices for oil sands process-affected waters, produced tailings are stored in large ponds. The acid extractable organic (AEO) compounds in oil sands process-affected water are of greatest concern due to their persistence and toxicity to a variety of aquatic biota. The present study evaluated the toxicity of the five AEO fractions to two fish species: Oryzias latipes (Japanese medaka) and Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow). The fractions (F1-F5) were comprised of AEO with increasing mean molecular weight and subsequent increases in cyclicity, aromaticity, degree of oxygenation, and heteroatom content. The lowest molecular weight fraction, F1, displayed the lowest acute toxicity to both fish species. For fathead minnow, F5 displayed the greatest toxic potency, while F2 to F4 displayed intermediate toxicities. For Japanese medaka, F2 and F3 displayed the greatest acute toxicities and F1, F4 and F5 were significantly less potent. Overall, fathead minnow were more acutely sensitive to AEO than Japanese medaka. The present study indicates that AEO toxicity may not be solely driven by a narcotic mode of action, but chemical composition such as aromaticity and heteroatom content and their relation to toxicity suggest other drivers indicative of additional modes of toxic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony E Bauer
- Biology Department, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Richard A Frank
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - John V Headley
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Andrea J Farwell
- Biology Department, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - D George Dixon
- Biology Department, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
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Brunswick P, Hewitt LM, Frank RA, Kim M, van Aggelen G, Shang D. A traceable reference for direct comparative assessment of total naphthenic acid concentrations in commercial and acid extractable organic mixtures derived from oil sands process water. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2017; 52:274-280. [PMID: 27901640 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2016.1253399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The advantage of using naphthenic acid (NA) mixtures for the determination of total NA lies in their chemical characteristics and identification of retention times distinct from isobaric interferences. However, the differing homolog profiles and unknown chemical structures of NA mixtures do not allow them to be considered a traceable reference material. The current study provides a new tool for the comparative assessment of different NA mixtures by direct reference to a single, well-defined and traceable compound, decanoic-d19 acid. The method employed an established liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/QToF) procedure that was applicable both to the classic O2 NA species dominating commercial mixtures and additionally to the O4 species known to be present in acid extractable organics (AEOs) derived from oil sands process water (OSPW). Four different commercial NA mixtures and one OSPW-derived AEOs mixture were comparatively assessed. Results showed significant difference among Merichem Technical, Aldrich, Acros, and Kodak commercial NA mixtures with respect to "equivalent to decanoic-d19 acid" concentration ratios to nominal. Furthermore, different lot numbers of single commercial NA mixtures were found to be inconsistent with respect to their homolog content by percent response. Differences in the observed homolog content varied significantly, particularly at the lower (n = 9-14) and higher (n = 20-23) carbon number ranges. Results highlighted the problem between using NA mixtures from different sources and different lot numbers but offered a solution to the problem from a concentration perspective. It is anticipated that this tool may be utilized in review of historical data in addition to future studies, such as the study of OSPW derived acid extractable organics (AEOs) and fractions employed during toxicological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Brunswick
- a Pacific and Yukon Laboratory for Environmental Testing , Science and Technology Branch, Pacific Environmental Science Centre, Environment & Climate Change Canada , North Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - L Mark Hewitt
- b Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment & Climate Change Canada , Burlington , Ontario , Canada
| | - Richard A Frank
- b Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment & Climate Change Canada , Burlington , Ontario , Canada
| | - Marcus Kim
- c Agilent Technologies Inc. , Ontario , Canada
| | - Graham van Aggelen
- a Pacific and Yukon Laboratory for Environmental Testing , Science and Technology Branch, Pacific Environmental Science Centre, Environment & Climate Change Canada , North Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Dayue Shang
- a Pacific and Yukon Laboratory for Environmental Testing , Science and Technology Branch, Pacific Environmental Science Centre, Environment & Climate Change Canada , North Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
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Johnston CU, Clothier LN, Quesnel DM, Gieg LM, Chua G, Hermann PM, Wildering WC. Embryonic exposure to model naphthenic acids delays growth and hatching in the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 168:1578-1588. [PMID: 27932040 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.11.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs), a class of structurally diverse carboxylic acids with often complex ring structures and large aliphatic tail groups, are important by-products of many petrochemical processes including the oil sands mining activity of Northern Alberta. While it is evident that NAs have both acute and chronic harmful effects on many organisms, many aspects of their toxicity remain to be clarified. Particularly, while substantive data sets have been collected on NA toxicity in aquatic prokaryote and vertebrate model systems, to date, nothing is known about the toxic effects of these compounds on the embryonic development of aquatic invertebrate taxa, including freshwater mollusks. This study examines under laboratory conditions the toxicity of NAs extracted from oil sands process water (OSPW) and the low-molecular weight model NAs cyclohexylsuccinic acid (CHSA), cyclohexanebutyric acid (CHBA), and 4-tert-butylcyclohexane carboxylic acid (4-TBCA) on embryonic development of the snail Lymnaea stagnalis, a common freshwater gastropod with a broad Palearctic distribution. Evidence is provided for concentration-dependent teratogenic effects of both OSPW-derived and model NAs with remarkably similar nominal threshold concentrations between 15 and 20 mg/L and 28d EC50 of 31 mg/L. In addition, the data provide evidence for substantial toxicokinetic differences between CHSA, CHBA and 4-TBCA. Together, our study introduces Lymnaea stagnalis embryonic development as an effective model to assay NA-toxicity and identifies molecular architecture as a potentially important toxicokinetic parameter in the toxicity of low-molecular weight NA in embryonic development of aquatic gastropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina U Johnston
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Lindsay N Clothier
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Dean M Quesnel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Lisa M Gieg
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Gordon Chua
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Petra M Hermann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Willem C Wildering
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
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Marentette JR, Sarty K, Cowie AM, Frank RA, Hewitt LM, Parrott JL, Martyniuk CJ. Molecular responses of Walleye (Sander vitreus) embryos to naphthenic acid fraction components extracted from fresh oil sands process-affected water. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2017; 182:11-19. [PMID: 27842271 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs) are constituents of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), which is generated as a result of unconventional oil production via surface mining in the Athabasca oil sands region. NAFCs are often considered to be major drivers of OSPW toxicity to various taxa, including fishes. However, the molecular targets of these complex mixtures are not fully elucidated. Here we examined the effects in walleye (Sander vitreus) embryos after exposure to NAFCs extracted from fresh OSPW. Eleutheroembryos (exposed to 0, 4.2 or 8.3mg/L NAFCs from 1day post-fertilization to hatch) were subsampled, measured for growth and deformities, and molecular responses were assessed via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fourteen genes were evaluated, with a focus on the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) - cytochrome P450 pathway (arnt, cyp1a1), the oxidative stress axis (cat, gst, sod, gpx1b), apoptosis (e.g. casp3, bax and p53), growth factor signaling (e.g. insulin-like growth factors igf1, igf1b, and igf1bp), and tissue differentiation (vim). NAFC exposure was associated with an increase in the expression of cyp1a1, and a decrease in gpx1b and ribosomal protein rps40. These results indicate that NAFC effects on walleye early-life stages may be mediated through oxidative stress via pathways that include AhR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie R Marentette
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Kathleena Sarty
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, Canada
| | - Andrew M Cowie
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, Canada
| | - Richard A Frank
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - L Mark Hewitt
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Joanne L Parrott
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
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Yue S, Ramsay BA, Wang J, Ramsay JA. Biodegradation and detoxification of naphthenic acids in oil sands process affected waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 572:273-279. [PMID: 27501426 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.07.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
After oil sands process affected water (OSPW) was treated in a continuous flow biofilm reactor, about 40% of the organic compounds in the acid extractable fraction (AEF) including naphthenic acids (NAs) were degraded resulting in a reduction of 73% in the Microtox acute toxicity and of 22% in the yeast estrogenic assay. Using effect directed analysis, treated and untreated OSPW were fractionated by solid phase extraction and the fractions with the largest decrease in toxicity and estrogenicity were selected for analysis by electrospray ionization combined with linear ion trap and a high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometer (negative ion mode). The aim of this study was to determine whether compositional changes between the untreated and treated fractions provide insight related to biodegradation and detoxification of NAs. The O2S, O3S and O4S compounds were either not major contributors of toxicity or estrogenicity or the more toxic or estrogenic ones were biodegraded. The O3- and O4-NAs seem to be more readily metabolized than O2NAs and their degradation would contribute to detoxification. The decrease in acute toxicity may be associated with the degradation of C12 and C13 bicyclic and C12-C14 tricyclic NAs while the decrease in estrogenicity may be linked to the degradation of C16 O2-NAs with double bond equivalents (DBE)=5 and 6, C16 and 17 O2-NAs with DBE=7, and C19-O2-NAs with DBE=8. The residual acute toxicity may be caused by recalcitrant components and/or degradation products such as the O2 bicyclic and tricyclic NAs, particularly the C14 and C15 bicyclic and C14-C16 tricyclic NAs as well as the polycyclic aromatic NAs (DBE≥5 compounds). The decrease in estrogenicity may be linked to the degradation of the O3 and O4 oxidized NAs while much of the residual estrogenicity may be due to the recalcitrant polycyclic aromatic O2-NAs. Hence, treatment to further detoxify OSPW should target these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqing Yue
- Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Bruce A Ramsay
- Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Jiaxi Wang
- Chemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Juliana A Ramsay
- Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada.
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MacLennan MS, Tie C, Kovalchik K, Peru KM, Zhang X, Headley JV, Chen DDY. Potential of capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry for the characterization and monitoring of amine-derivatized naphthenic acids from oil sands process-affected water. J Environ Sci (China) 2016; 49:203-212. [PMID: 28007176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2016.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry (CE-MS) was used for the analysis of naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs) of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). A standard mixture of amine-derivatized naphthenic acids is injected directly onto the CE column and analyzed by CE-MS in less than 15min. Time of flight MS analysis (TOFMS), optimized for high molecular weight ions, showed NAFCs between 250 and 800m/z. With a quadrupole mass analyzer, only low-molecular weight NAFCs (between 100 and 450m/z) are visible under our experimental conditions. Derivatization of NAFCs consisted of two-step amidation reactions mediated by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC), or mediated by a mixture of EDC and N-hydroxysuccinimide, in dimethyl sulfoxide, dichloromethane or ethyl acetate. The optimum background electrolyte composition was determined to be 30% (V/V) methanol in water and 2% (V/V) formic acid. NAFCs extracted from OSPW in the Athabasca oil sands region were used to demonstrate the feasibility of CE-MS for the analysis of NAFCs in environmental samples, showing that the labeled naphthenic acids are in the mass range of 350 to 1500m/z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S MacLennan
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada.
| | - Cai Tie
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Kevin Kovalchik
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Xinxiang Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - John V Headley
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada; Water Science and Technology Directorate, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - David D Y Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada.
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45
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Ruffell SE, Frank RA, Woodworth AP, Bragg LM, Bauer AE, Deeth LE, Müller KM, Farwell AJ, Dixon DG, Servos MR, McConkey BJ. Assessing the bioremediation potential of algal species indigenous to oil sands process-affected waters on mixtures of oil sands acid extractable organics. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2016; 133:373-380. [PMID: 27497784 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2016.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Surface mining extraction of bitumen from oil sand in Alberta, Canada results in the accumulation of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). In attempts to maximize water recycling, and because its constituents are recognized as being toxic, OSPW is retained in settling basins. Consequently, research efforts are currently focused on developing remediation strategies capable of detoxifying OSPW to allow for eventual release. One potential bioremediation strategy proposes to utilize phytoplankton native to the Alberta oil sand region to sequester, break down, or modify the complex oil sands acid extractable organic (AEO) mixtures in OSPW. Preliminary attempts to quantify changes in total oil sands AEO concentration in test solutions by ESI-MS following a 14-day algal remediation period revealed the presence of unknown organic acids in control samples, likely released by the phytoplankton strains and often of the same atomic mass range as the oil sands AEO under investigation. To address the presence of these "biogenic" organic acids in test samples, ESI-MS in MRM mode was utilized to identify oil sands AEO "marker ions" that were a) present within the tested oil sands AEO extract and b) unique to the oil sands AEO extract only (e.g. atomic masses different from biogenic organic acids). Using this approach, one of the 21 tested algal strains, Stichococcus sp. 1, proved capable of significantly reducing the AEO marker ion concentration at test concentrations of 10, 30, and 100mgL(-1). This result, along with the accelerated growth rate and recalcitrance of this algal strain with exposure to oil sands AEO, suggests the strong potential for the use of the isolated Stichococcus sp. 1 as a candidate for bioremediation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Ruffell
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Richard A Frank
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Adam P Woodworth
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Leslie M Bragg
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Anthony E Bauer
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Lorna E Deeth
- Department of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Kirsten M Müller
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Andrea J Farwell
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - D George Dixon
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Mark R Servos
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Brendan J McConkey
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1.
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46
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Han J, Yi Y, Lin K, Birks SJ, Gibson JJ, Borchers CH. Molecular profiling of naphthenic acids in technical mixtures and oil sands process-affected water using polar reversed-phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Electrophoresis 2016; 37:3089-3100. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201600250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2016] [Revised: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Han
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre; Vancouver Island Technology Park; Victoria British Columbia Canada
| | - Yi Yi
- Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures; Vancouver Island Technology Park; Victoria British Columbia Canada
| | - Karen Lin
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre; Vancouver Island Technology Park; Victoria British Columbia Canada
| | - S. Jean Birks
- Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures; Calgary Alberta Canada
| | - John J. Gibson
- Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures; Vancouver Island Technology Park; Victoria British Columbia Canada
| | - Christoph H. Borchers
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre; Vancouver Island Technology Park; Victoria British Columbia Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology; University of Victoria; Victoria British Columbia Canada
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47
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Frank RA, Milestone CB, Rowland SJ, Headley JV, Kavanagh RJ, Lengger SK, Scarlett AG, West CE, Peru KM, Hewitt LM. Assessing spatial and temporal variability of acid-extractable organics in oil sands process-affected waters. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 160:303-313. [PMID: 27391053 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.06.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The acid-extractable organic compounds (AEOs), including naphthenic acids (NAs), present within oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) receive great attention due to their known toxicity. While recent progress in advanced separation and analytical methodologies for AEOs has improved our understanding of the composition of these mixtures, little is known regarding any variability (i.e., spatial, temporal) inherent within, or between, tailings ponds. In this study, 5 samples were collected from the same location of one tailings pond over a 2-week period. In addition, 5 samples were collected simultaneously from different locations within a tailings pond from a different mine site, as well as its associated recycling pond. In both cases, the AEOs were analyzed using SFS, ESI-MS, HRMS, GC×GC-ToF/MS, and GC- & LC-QToF/MS (GC analyses following conversion to methyl esters). Principal component analysis of HRMS data was able to distinguish the ponds from each other, while data from GC×GC-ToF/MS, and LC- and GC-QToF/MS were used to differentiate samples from within the temporal and spatial sample sets, with the greater variability associated with the latter. Spatial differences could be attributed to pond dynamics, including differences in inputs of tailings and surface run-off. Application of novel chemometric data analyses of unknown compounds detected by LC- and GC-QToF/MS allowed further differentiation of samples both within and between data sets, providing an innovative approach for future fingerprinting studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Frank
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1, Canada.
| | - Craig B Milestone
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Steve J Rowland
- Petroleum and Environmental Geochemistry Group, Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - John V Headley
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3H5, Canada
| | | | - Sabine K Lengger
- Petroleum and Environmental Geochemistry Group, Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Alan G Scarlett
- Petroleum and Environmental Geochemistry Group, Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Charles E West
- Petroleum and Environmental Geochemistry Group, Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - L Mark Hewitt
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1, Canada
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48
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Peng H, Sun J, Alharbi HA, Jones PD, Giesy JP, Wiseman S. Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ is a Sensitive Target for Oil Sands Process-Affected Water: Effects on Adipogenesis and Identification of Ligands. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:7816-7824. [PMID: 27340905 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b01890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Identification of toxic components of complex mixtures is a challenge. Here, oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) was used as a case study to identify those toxic components with a known protein target. Organic chemicals in OSPW exhibited dose-dependent activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) at concentrations less than those currently in the environment (0.025× equivalent of full-strength OSPW), by use of a luciferase reporter gene assay. Activation of PPARγ-mediated adipogenesis by OSPW was confirmed in 3T3L1 preadipocytes, as evidenced by accumulation of lipids and up-regulation of AP2, LPL, and PPARγ gene expression after exposure to polar fractions of OSPW. Unexpectedly, the nonpolar fractions of OSPW inhibited differentiation of preadipocytes via activation of the Wnt signaling pathway. Organic chemicals in OSPW that were ligands of PPARγ were identified by use of a pull-down system combined with untargeted chemical analysis (PUCA), with a recombinant PPARγ protein. Thirty ligands of PPARγ were identified by use of the PUCA assay. High resolution MS(1) and MS(2) spectra were combined to predict the formulas or structures of a subset of ligands, and polyoxygenated or heteroatomic chemicals, especially hydroxylated carboxylic/sulfonic acids, were the major ligands of PPARγ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Peng
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan , 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada , S7N 5B3
| | - Jianxian Sun
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan , 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada , S7N 5B3
| | - Hattan A Alharbi
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan , 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada , S7N 5B3
| | - Paul D Jones
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan , 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada , S7N 5B3
- School of Environment and Sustainability, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada , S7N 5C8
| | - John P Giesy
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan , 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada , S7N 5B3
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada S7N 5B3
- Zoology Department, Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University , Nanjing, People's Republic of China
- School of Biology, University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - Steve Wiseman
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan , 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada , S7N 5B3
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49
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Liu J, Wang L, Tang J, Ma J. Photocatalytic degradation of commercially sourced naphthenic acids by TiO2-graphene composite nanomaterial. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 149:328-335. [PMID: 26874061 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.01.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) are a major contributor to the toxicity in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), which is produced by hot water extraction of bitumen. NAs are extremely difficult to be degraded due to its complex ring and side chain structure. Photocatalysis is recognized as a promising technology in the removal of refractory organic pollutants. In this work, TiO2-graphene (P25-GR) composites were synthesized by means of solvothermal method. The results showed that P25-GR composite exhibited better photocatalytic activity than pure P25. The removal efficiency of naphthenic acids in acid solution was higher than that in neutral and alkaline solutions. It was the first report ever known on the photodegradation of NAs based on graphene, and this process achieved a higher removal rate than other photocatalysis degradation of NAs in a shorter reaction time. LC/MS analysis showed that macromolecular NAs (carbon number 17-22, z value -2) were easy to be degraded than the micromolecular ones (carbon number 11-16, z value -2). Furthermore, the reactive oxygen species that play the main role in the photocatalysis system were studied. It was found that holes and ·OH were the main reactive species in the UV/P25-GR photocatalysis system. Given the high removal efficiency of refractory organic pollutants and the short degradation time, photodegradation based on composite catalysts has a broad and practical prospect. The study on the photodegradation of commercially sourced NAs may provide a guidance for the degradation of OSPW NAs by this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juncheng Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Lin Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jingchun Tang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin 300071, China; Tianjin Engineering Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300071, China.
| | - Jianli Ma
- Tianjin Academy of Environmental Sciences, Tianjin 300191, China
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50
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Simmons DBD, Sherry JP. Plasma proteome profiles of White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii) from the Athabasca River within the oil sands deposit. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2016; 19:181-189. [PMID: 27013027 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There are questions about the potential for oil sands related chemicals to enter the Athabasca River, whether from tailing ponds, atmospheric deposition, precipitation, or transport of mining dust, at concentrations sufficient to negatively impact the health of biota. We applied shotgun proteomics to generate protein profiles of mature male and female White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii) that were collected from various sites along the main stem of the Athabasca River in 2011 and 2012. On average, 399±131 (standard deviation) proteins were identified in fish plasma from each location in both years. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software was used to determine the proteins' core functions and to compare the datasets by location, year, and sex. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine if variation in the number of proteins related to a core function among all male and female individuals from both sampling years was affected by location. The core biological functions of plasma proteins that were common to both sampling years for males and females from each location were also estimated separately (based on Ingenuity's Knowledge Base). PCA revealed site-specific differences in the functional characteristics of the plasma proteome from white sucker sampled from downstream of oil sands extraction facilities compared with fish from upstream. Plasma proteins that were unique to fish downstream of oil sands extraction were related to lipid metabolism, small molecule biochemistry, vitamin and mineral metabolism, endocrine system disorders, skeletal and muscular development and function, neoplasia, carcinomas, and gastrointestinal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denina B D Simmons
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - James P Sherry
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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