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Arciszewski TJ, Hazewinkel RRO, Dubé MG. A critical review of the ecological status of lakes and rivers from Canada's oil sands region. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2022; 18:361-387. [PMID: 34546629 PMCID: PMC9298303 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
We synthesize the information available from the peer-reviewed literature on the ecological status of lakes and rivers in the oil sands region (OSR) of Canada. The majority of the research from the OSR has been performed in or near the minable region and examines the concentrations, flux, or enrichment of contaminants of concern (CoCs). Proximity to oil sands facilities and the beginning of commercial activities tend to be associated with greater estimates of CoCs across studies. Research suggests the higher measurements of CoCs are typically associated with wind-blown dust, but other sources also contribute. Exploratory analyses further suggest relationships with facility production and fuel use data. Exceedances of environmental quality guidelines for CoCs are also reported in lake sediments, but there are no indications of toxicity including those within the areas of the greatest atmospheric deposition. Instead, primary production has increased in most lakes over time. Spatial differences are observed in streams, but causal relationships with industrial activity are often confounded by substantial natural influences. Despite this, there may be signals associated with site preparation for new mines, potential persistent differences, and a potential effect of petroleum coke used as fuel on some indices of health in fish captured in the Steepbank River. There is also evidence of improvements in the ecological condition of some rivers. Despite the volume of material available, much of the work remains temporally, spatially, or technically isolated. Overcoming the isolation of studies would enhance the utility of information available for the region, but additional recommendations for improving monitoring can be made, such as a shift to site-specific analyses in streams and further use of industry-reported data. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:361-387. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim J. Arciszewski
- Environmental Stewardship DivisionAlberta Environment and ParksCalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | | | - Monique G. Dubé
- Environmental Stewardship DivisionAlberta Environment and ParksCalgaryAlbertaCanada
- Present address: Cumulative Effects Environmental Inc.CalgaryAlbertaCanada
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2
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Cuenca-Cambronero M, Courtney-Mustaphi CJ, Greenway R, Heiri O, Hudson CM, King L, Lemmen KD, Moosmann M, Muschick M, Ngoepe N, Seehausen O, Matthews B. An integrative paleolimnological approach for studying evolutionary processes. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:488-496. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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3
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Smythe KK, Cooke CA, Drevnick PE, Cornett RJ, Blais JM. Tracking historical sources of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in dated lake sediment cores near in-situ bitumen operations of Cold Lake, Alberta. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 294:118567. [PMID: 34838713 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Most bitumen in the Alberta oil sands (Canada) is extracted by thermal in-situ recovery. Despite the widespread use of in-situ bitumen extraction, little information is available on the release of petroleum hydrocarbons by this method to adjacent land and water. Here we analyzed the composition and abundance of parent and alkylated polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in 11 radiometrically-dated lake sediment cores collected near in-situ operations at Cold Lake Alberta to assess potential petroleum contamination sources to surrounding lakes over the past century. Like open-pit mining areas, alkylated PACs in Cold Lake sediments were elevated compared to unsubstituted parent PACs and increased coeval with the onset of bitumen extraction in the area. Diagnostic ratios and pyrogenic indices showed that PAC sources to these lake sediments were dominantly pyrogenic, likely from historic forest fires, however they shifted to more petrogenic sources coeval with expanding oil sands extraction at Cold Lake. PACs in sediment from regional lakes are weakly correlated to their proximity to in-situ oil wells, once corrected for lake area. These results suggest that in-situ operations, via diesel-fueled vehicular emissions and the combustion of natural gas for steam generation, are a source of PACs to nearby lakes, but PACs did not exceed Canadian sediment quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten K Smythe
- Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Colin A Cooke
- Environment & Parks, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Earth and Atmospheric Science, University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Paul E Drevnick
- Environment & Parks, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Robert J Cornett
- Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jules M Blais
- Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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4
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Thomas PJ, Eickmeyer DC, Eccles KM, Kimpe LE, Felzel E, Brouwer A, Letcher RJ, Maclean BD, Chan LHM, Blais JM. Paleotoxicity of petrogenic and pyrogenic hydrocarbon mixtures in sediment cores from the Athabasca oil sands region, Alberta (Canada). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118271. [PMID: 34627963 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Despite the economic benefits of the oil and gas industry in Northern Alberta, significant concerns exist regarding the impacts of increased oil production on the environment and human health. Several studies have highlighted increases in the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and other hydrocarbons in the atmosphere, water, soil and sediments, plants, wildlife and fish in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) as a result of oil sands industrial activity. Sediment cores can provide information on the temporal trends of contaminants to the environment and provide important baseline information when monitoring data are absent. Here we combined analytical chemistry and a mammalian cell-based bioassay in dated lake sediment cores to assess paleotoxicity in freshwater systems in the AOSR. Sediment intervals were radiometrically dated and subsequently analysed for PACs. PAC extracts from select dated intervals were used in cell-based bioassays to evaluate their endocrine disrupting properties. We demonstrated spatial and temporal variability in the PAC composition of sediment cores around the AOSR with some of the highest concentrations of PACs detected near oil sands industrial activity north of Fort McMurray (AB) in La Saline Natural Area. Recent sediment had positive enrichment factors across most PAC analytes at this site with heavier pyrogenic compounds such as benz(a)anthracene/chrysene and benzofluoranthene/benzopyrene dominating. Our study is the first to link chemical analysis of sediment cores with biological effect assessments of endocrine activity showing feasibility of extending the usefulness of sediment cores in monitoring programs interested in complex mixture assessments. While we observed no spatial or temporal differences in ERα mediated signaling, AhR CALUX results mirrored those of the chemical analysis, demonstrating the utility of coupling biological effects assessments to historical reconstructions of contaminant inputs to the natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe J Thomas
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Center, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Raven Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - David C Eickmeyer
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Kristin M Eccles
- Department of Geography, Geomatics and Environment, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Linda E Kimpe
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Emiel Felzel
- BioDetection Systems, Science Park 406, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Abraham Brouwer
- BioDetection Systems, Science Park 406, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Center, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Raven Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Bruce D Maclean
- Maclean Environmental Consulting (for Mikisew Cree First Nation), 812 Jubilee Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3L 1P9, Canada
| | - Laurie H M Chan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Jules M Blais
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
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Marvin CH, Berthiaume A, Burniston DA, Chibwe L, Dove A, Evans M, Hewitt LM, Hodson PV, Muir DCG, Parrott J, Thomas PJ, Tomy GT. Polycyclic aromatic compounds in the Canadian Environment: Aquatic and terrestrial environments. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 285:117442. [PMID: 34380209 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are ubiquitous across environmental media in Canada, including surface water, soil, sediment and snowpack. Information is presented according to pan-Canadian sources, and key geographical areas including the Great Lakes, the Alberta Oil Sands Region (AOSR) and the Canadian Arctic. Significant PAC releases result from exploitation of fossil fuels containing naturally-derived PACs, with anthropogenic sources related to production, upgrading and transport which also release alkylated PACs. Continued expansion of the oil and gas industry indicates contamination by PACs may increase. Monitoring networks should be expanded, and include petrogenic PACs in their analytical schema, particularly near fuel transportation routes. National-scale roll-ups of emission budgets may not expose important details for localized areas, and on local scales emissions can be substantial without significantly contributing to total Canadian emissions. Burning organic matter produces mainly parent or pyrogenic PACs, with forest fires and coal combustion to produce iron and steel being major sources of pyrogenic PACs in Canada. Another major source is the use of carbon electrodes at aluminum smelters in British Columbia and Quebec. Temporal trends in PAC levels across the Great Lakes basin have remained relatively consistent over the past four decades. Management actions to reduce PAC loadings have been countered by increased urbanization, vehicular emissions and areas of impervious surfaces. Major cities within the Great Lakes watershed act as diffuse sources of PACs, and result in coronas of contamination emanating from urban centres, highlighting the need for non-point source controls to reduce loadings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher H Marvin
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Alicia Berthiaume
- Science and Risk Assessment Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
| | - Deborah A Burniston
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah Chibwe
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alice Dove
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marlene Evans
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - L Mark Hewitt
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter V Hodson
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Derek C G Muir
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joanne Parrott
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Philippe J Thomas
- Wildlife and Landscape Research Directorate, National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gregg T Tomy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Salat APJ, Williams KL, Chiu S, Eickmeyer DC, Kimpe LE, Blais JM, Crump D. Extracts from Dated Lake Sediment Cores in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region Alter Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase Activity and Gene Expression in Avian Hepatocytes. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:1883-1893. [PMID: 33751657 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Increases in oil sands mining operations in the Athabasca oil sands region have resulted in increased concentrations of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and heavy metals in aquatic systems located near surface mining operations. In the present study, sediment cores were collected from 3 lakes with varying proximity to surface mining operations to determine the differences in PAC concentrations. Sediment cores were separated into 2 sections-current mining (top; 2000-2017) and premining (bottom; pre-1945)-and extracts were prepared for in vitro screening using a well-established chicken embryonic hepatocyte (CEH) assay. Concentrations and composition of PACs varied between sites, with the highest ∑PACs in Saline Lake, 5 km from an active oil sands mine site. The proportion of alkylated PACs was greater than that of parent PACs in the top sediment sections compared with the bottom. Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity in CEH permitted the ranking of lake sites/core sections based on an aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated end point; mean median effect concentration values were lowest for the top cores from Saline Lake and another near-mining operations lake, referred to as WF1. A ToxChip polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array was used to evaluate gene expression changes across 43 target genes associated with numerous toxicological pathways following exposure to top and bottom sediment core extracts. The 2 study sites with the greatest ∑PAC concentrations (Saline Lake and WF1) had the highest gene expression alterations on the ToxChip PCR array (19 [top] and 17 [bottom]/43), compared with a reference site (13 [top] and 7 [bottom]/43). The avian in vitro bioassay was useful for identifying the toxicity of complex PAC extracts associated with variably contaminated sediment cores, supporting its potential use for hotspot identification and complex mixture screening. EnvironToxicol Chem 2021;40:1883-1893. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kim L Williams
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suzanne Chiu
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - David C Eickmeyer
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Linda E Kimpe
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jules M Blais
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Doug Crump
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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7
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Thomas PJ, Newell EE, Eccles K, Holloway AC, Idowu I, Xia Z, Hassan E, Tomy G, Quenneville C. Co-exposures to trace elements and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) impacts North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) baculum. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 265:128920. [PMID: 33213878 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Environmental loadings of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and trace elements are increasing in areas with marked oil and gas extraction, such as in the Athabasca oil sands region, Alberta, Canada. Some of these chemicals are recognized as potent endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). The impacts of co-exposure to PACs and metals on free-ranging wildlife is of considerable concern. River otters (Lontra canadensis) are sentinel species of aquatic ecosystem health. The baculum (penile bone) is an important part of the reproductive system in otters that ensures successful copulation. Although baculum health is critical to male reproductive success and is sensitive to exposure to EDCs, there is no information available regarding the impact of PAC and metal exposures on measures of baculum health. River otter baculum and livers were dissected from carcasses obtained from the fur trade. Trace element and PAC analyses were carried out in liver with matching baculums subjected to dimensional analysis, bone mineral density (BMD) and mechanical loading testing. Trace elements and select PACs exhibited both protective and deleterious effects on baculum bone health metrics. Alkylated four ring PACs were negatively associated with baculum bone material properties (ex: C4-Chrysene and C4-pyrene). The same compounds have been shown to exhibit strong anti-androgenic activities. Few comparable studies exist related to contamination and adverse effects of PACs in wild terrestrial mammals. Baculum health metrics may be an important tool to include in biomonitoring studies as to date, there are limited means to assess male reproductive performance in wildlife biomonitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe J Thomas
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Center, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Raven Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1A 0H3.
| | - Emily E Newell
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street W, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 4L8
| | - Kristin Eccles
- Department of Geography, Geomatics and Environment, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada, L5L 1C6
| | - Alison C Holloway
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Ifeoluwa Idowu
- Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, 584 Parker Building, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Zhe Xia
- Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, 584 Parker Building, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Hassan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street W, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 4L8
| | - Gregg Tomy
- Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, 584 Parker Building, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Cheryl Quenneville
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street W, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 4L8; School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street W, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 4L8
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8
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Salat APJ, Eickmeyer DC, Kimpe LE, Hall RI, Wolfe BB, Mundy LJ, Trudeau VL, Blais JM. Integrated analysis of petroleum biomarkers and polycyclic aromatic compounds in lake sediment cores from an oil sands region. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 270:116060. [PMID: 33341299 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We examined polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and petroleum biomarkers (steranes, hopanes, and terpanes) in radiometrically-dated lake sediment cores from the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) and the Peace-Athabasca Delta (PAD) region in Alberta (Canada) to determine whether contributions from petroleum hydrocarbons have changed over time. Two floodplain lakes in the PAD (PAD 30, PAD 31) recorded increased flux of alkylated PACs and increased petrogenic (petroleum-derived) hydrocarbons after ∼1980, coincident with a decline of sediment organic carbon content and a rise of bulk sedimentation rate, likely due to increased Athabasca River flow. A large expansion of upstream oilsands mining, upgrading, and refining may also have contributed to the observed shift to more petrogenic hydrocarbons to sediments since the 1980s. Alkylated PAC flux increased in the floodplain lake analyzed within the AOSR (Saline Lake) since the 1970s-1980s, coincident with a sharp rise in sediment organic carbon content and increased contributions of petrogenic hydrocarbons. These changes identify increased supply of petrogenic PACs occurred as Athabasca River floodwaters waned, and may implicate aerial contributions of petrogenic hydrocarbons from oilsands activity. PACs and petroleum biomarkers (steranes, hopanes, and terpanes) in sediment cores from Saline Lake, PAD 30 and PAD 31 revealed a predominance of petrogenic hydrocarbons in these lakes. In contrast, we recorded minimal petrogenic hydrocarbons in the reference lakes outside the surface minable area of the AOSR and PAD (Mariana Lake and BM11), though we noted slight increases in petrogenic contributions to modern (2010-2016) sediments. We show how a combined analysis of PACs and petroleum biomarkers in sediments is useful to quantify petrogenic contributions to lakes with added confidence and highlight the potential for petroleum biomarkers in lake sediment cores as a novel and effective method to track petroleum hydrocarbons in lake sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Roland I Hall
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Brent B Wolfe
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lukas J Mundy
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Muir DCG, Galarneau E. Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in the Canadian environment: Links to global change. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 273:116425. [PMID: 33460875 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this review, global change processes have been linked to polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in Canada and a first national budget of sources and sinks has been derived. Sources are dominated by wildfire emissions that affect western and northern regions of Canada disproportionately due to the location of Pacific and boreal forests and the direction of prevailing winds. Wildfire emissions are projected to increase under climate warming along with releases from the thawing of glaciers and permafrost. Residential wood combustion, domestic transportation and industry contribute the bulk of anthropogenic emissions, though they are substantially smaller than wildfire emissions and are not expected to change considerably in coming years. Other sources such as accidental spills, deforestation, and re-emission of previous industrial deposition are expected to contribute anthropogenic and biogenic PACs to nearby ecosystems. PAC sinks are less well-understood. Atmospheric deposition is similar in magnitude to anthropogenic sources. Considerable knowledge gaps preclude the estimation of environmental transformations and transboundary flows, and assessing the importance of climate change relative to shifts in population distribution and energy production is not yet possible. The outlook for PACs in the Arctic is uncertain due to conflicting assessments of competing factors and limited measurements, some of which provide a baseline but have not been followed up in recent years. Climate change has led to an increase in primary productivity in the Arctic Ocean, but PAC-related impacts on marine biota appear to be modest. The net effect of changes in ecological exposure from changing emissions and environmental conditions throughout Canada remains to be seen. Evidence suggests that the PAC budget at the national scale does not represent impacts at the local or regional level. The ability to assess future trends depends on improvements to Canada's environmental measurement strategy and biogeochemical modelling capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek C G Muir
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, L7S1A1, Canada.
| | - Elisabeth Galarneau
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON, M3H 5T4, Canada
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10
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Chibwe L, Roberts S, Shang D, Yang F, Manzano CA, Wang X, Kirk JL, Muir DCG. A one-century sedimentary record of N- and S-polycyclic aromatic compounds in the Athabasca oil sands region in Canada. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 260:127641. [PMID: 32688322 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) is considered a major pathway to isolated lakes and bogs in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR), Canada. However, the suite of PACs measured has been limited. We report the detailed depositional history of nitrogen and sulphur heterocyclic PACs using a 210Pb dated sediment core (1914-2015) near major developments in the AOSR. We observed (1) an exponential growth in the deposition of heterocyclic PACs to recent times with an average doubling time of 12 years, (2) significant breakpoints in PAC fluxes in the mid to late 1980s, and (3) a synchronous increase of PACs with crude oil production (r2 = 0.82, p = 0.001). NPACs were not detected prior to the 1960s in the sediment core studied, suggesting they may hold promise in serving as indicators for atmospheric PAC deposition of industrial origin. Furthermore, a change in heterocyclic PAC distribution profiles beginning in the 1970-1980s, after the onset of mining, resembling a petcoke signature, was also observed. Significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between heterocyclic PACs, and several metal(loid)s, including priority pollutant elements, chromium and beryllium, and rare earth elements, cerium, lanthanum and yttrium (r2 > 0.75), suggesting the potential of a common source or similar transport and fate mechanisms. Significant negative or no correlations were observed between heterocyclic PACs and other metal(loid)s, including vanadium, total mercury and lead, possibly reflecting the impact of broader regulatory controls introduced in the mid-1970s on some metal(loids) but not on PACs, including the installation of electrostatic precipitators in major upgrader stacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Chibwe
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada; The University of Guelph. School of Environmental Sciences, Guelph ON, Canada
| | - Sarah Roberts
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Dayue Shang
- Pacific and Yukon Laboratory for Environmental Testing, Environment & Climate Change Canada, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Fan Yang
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Carlos A Manzano
- Center for Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Xiaowa Wang
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Jane L Kirk
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Derek C G Muir
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada.
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11
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Chibwe L, Manzano CA, Muir D, Atkinson B, Kirk JL, Marvin CH, Wang X, Teixeira C, Shang D, Harner T, De Silva AO. Deposition and Source Identification of Nitrogen Heterocyclic Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds in Snow, Sediment, and Air Samples from the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:2981-2989. [PMID: 30741540 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b06175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) can have multiple sources in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR). The current study was designed to identify and explore the potential of nitrogen heterocyclic PACs (NPACs) as source indicators in snowpack, lake sediment and passive air samples from the AOSR during 2014-2015. Source samples including petroleum coke (petcoke), haul road dust, and unprocessed oil sands were also analyzed. Samples were analyzed using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography-high resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Over 200 NPACs were identified and classified into at least 24 isomer groups, including alkylated carbazoles, benzocarbazoles, and indenoquinolines. Levels of NPACs in environmental samples decreased with distance from the main developments and with increasing depth in lake sediments but were detected within 50 km from the major developments. The composition profiles of several NPAC isomer classes, such as dimethylcarbazoles, showed that petcoke had a distinct distribution of NPACs compared to the haul road dust and unprocessed oil sands ores and was the most similar source material to near-field environmental samples. These results suggest that petcoke is a major contributing source for the identified NPACs and that these compounds have the potential to be used as source indicators for future research in the AOSR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Chibwe
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division , Environment & Climate Change Canada , Burlington , ON L7S 1A1 , Canada
| | - Carlos A Manzano
- Center for Environmental Science, Faculty of Science , University of Chile , Santiago 7800003 , Chile
- School of Public Health , San Diego State University , San Diego , CA 92182 , United States of America
| | - Derek Muir
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division , Environment & Climate Change Canada , Burlington , ON L7S 1A1 , Canada
| | - Beau Atkinson
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division , Environment & Climate Change Canada , Burlington , ON L7S 1A1 , Canada
| | - Jane L Kirk
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division , Environment & Climate Change Canada , Burlington , ON L7S 1A1 , Canada
| | - Christopher H Marvin
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division , Environment & Climate Change Canada , Burlington , ON L7S 1A1 , Canada
| | - Xiaowa Wang
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division , Environment & Climate Change Canada , Burlington , ON L7S 1A1 , Canada
| | - Camilla Teixeira
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division , Environment & Climate Change Canada , Burlington , ON L7S 1A1 , Canada
| | - Dayue Shang
- Pacific and Yukon Laboratory for Environmental Testing , Environment & Climate Change Canada , North Vancouver , BC V7H 1B1 , Canada
| | - Tom Harner
- Air Quality Processes Research Division , Environment & Climate Change Canada , Toronto , ON M3H 5T4 , Canada
| | - Amila O De Silva
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division , Environment & Climate Change Canada , Burlington , ON L7S 1A1 , Canada
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Xia Z, Idowu I, Marvin C, Thomas PJ, Johnson W, Francisco O, Stetefeld J, Crimmins B, Fry M, Tomy GT. Identification of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in biological samples from Alberta Oil-Sands Region. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 215:206-213. [PMID: 30317091 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.050] [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: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HPAHs) were identified in biological samples from the Alberta Oil-Sands Region (AOSR) using gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-HRTOF-MS) at a resolving power of 25,000. Knowledge of the electron ionization (EI) fragmentation behavior of individual HPAH isomers, achieved by injecting authentic standards in full-scan MS mode, was paramount in identifying a suite of HPAHs in samples from the AOSR. Confirmation of compounds in biological samples was based on the measured mass accuracy (±3 ppm) of 2 characteristic ions prominent in the EI mass spectra of each compound. Numerous compounds were detected in the high resolution total ion chromatogram in liver extracts of 4 biological species from the AOSR: river otter (Lontra Canadensis), northern pike (Esox lucius), lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and snails (Gastropod sp.) many of which remain unidentified. Careful examination of the high-resolution accurate mass data suggests that dichloro-anthracene/phenanthrene, bromo-anthracene/phenanthrene and dibromo-fluorene were present in the biological samples. Lipid corrected concentrations of dichloro-PAHs were estimated to be 16.3 ± 11.4 (n = 4) and 5.5 (n = 1) ng/g in lake whitefish and river otter, respectively. Concentrations of mono-bromo-PAHs were an order of magnitude greater in snails (170.5 ng/g) than in northern pike (12.5 ng/g) while concentrations of dibromo-PAHs were 4 times greater in snails than in northern pike. The detection of these compounds in biota implies that these compounds are bioaccumulative. The liver-based biomagnification factor of the dichloro-PAH congener in the river otter/lake whitefish feeding relationship is much smaller than 1 implying that this compound does not biomagnify.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Xia
- University of Manitoba, Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Ifeoluwa Idowu
- University of Manitoba, Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Chris Marvin
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Water Research Institute, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Philippe J Thomas
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Wesley Johnson
- University of Manitoba, Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Olga Francisco
- University of Manitoba, Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jorg Stetefeld
- University of Manitoba, Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Bernard Crimmins
- Clarkson University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Potsdam, NY, USA; Academic Environmental/Analytical Consulting Services, LLC, Alliance, OH, USA
| | - Mark Fry
- University of Manitoba, Department of Biological Sciences, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Gregg T Tomy
- University of Manitoba, Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
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13
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Du J, Jing C. Anthropogenic PAHs in lake sediments: a literature review (2002-2018). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2018; 20:1649-1666. [PMID: 30357191 DOI: 10.1039/c8em00195b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Lake sediments are an important reservoir for toxic and hydrophobic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Monitoring of PAHs in sediment is helpful to understand pollution mechanisms and anthropogenic activities. This study reviews studies of PAHs in lake sediments published during 2002-2018. The studies' findings are analyzed, distributions of PAHs in lake sediments are summarized, and the applicability of lake sediments for tracking changes in PAH emission sources is emphasized. Lake sediments heavily polluted with PAHs are distributed in China, Egypt, the USA, and some urban lakes in Africa. The high levels of PAHs are predominantly associated with human activities such as anthropogenic combustion, petroleum industries, road traffic, and socioeconomic factors. However, the concentrations of sedimentary PAHs in most lakes were below the international guideline values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Du
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
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