1
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Miles SM, Balaberda AL, Leshuk TMC, Peru K, Headley J, Gu F, Ulrich AC. A multi-step approach: Coupling of biodegradation and UV photocatalytic oxidation TiO 2 for the treatment of naphthenic acid fraction compounds in oil sands process-affected water. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142502. [PMID: 38838863 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Bitumen extraction in Alberta's oil sands region uses large volumes of water, leading to an abundance of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). OSPW contains naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs) which have been found to contribute to OSPW toxicity. This study utilized a multistep treatment, coupling biological degradation with UV photocatalytic oxidation, and nutrient addition to boost the native microbial community's degradation capacity. OSPW initially contained 40-42 mg/L NAFCs with a toxicity of 3.8-3.9 TU. Initial biodegradation (Step 1) was used to remove the easily biodegradable NAFCs (11-25% removal), followed by a light or heavy dose of oxidation (Step 2) to breakdown the recalcitrant NAFCs (66-82% removal). Lastly, post-oxidation biodegradation with nutrients (Step 3) removed the residual bioavailable NAFCs (16-31% removal). By the end of the multistep treatment, the final NAFC concentrations and toxicity ranged from 5.3 to 6.8 mg/L and 1.1-1.2 TU. Analysis showed that OPSW was limited in phosphorus (below detection limit), and the addition of nutrients improved the degradation of NAFCs. Two treatments throughout the multistep treatment never received nutrients and showed minimal NAFC degradation post-oxidation. The native microbial community survived the stress from UV photocatalytic oxidation as seen by the post-oxidation NAFC biodegradation. Microbial community diversity was reduced considerably following oxidation, but increased with nutrient addition. The microbial community consisted predominately of Proteobacteria (Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria), and the composition shifted depending on the level of oxidation received. Possible NAFC-degrading microbes identified after a light oxidation dose included Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Xanthomonadales, while Xanthobacteracea and Rhodococcus were the dominant microbes after heavy oxidation. This experiment confirms that the microbial community is capable of degrading NAFCs and withstanding oxidative stress, and that degradation is further enhanced with the addition of nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Miles
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Amy-Lynne Balaberda
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Timothy M C 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
| | - Kerry Peru
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - John Headley
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, 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
| | - Ania C Ulrich
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada.
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2
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Asiedu E, Zhao K, Anwar MN, Ross M, Balaberda AL, Ulrich AC. Biodegradation in oil sands process-affected water: A comprehensive laboratory analysis of the in situ biodegradation of dissolved organic acids. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:141018. [PMID: 38141671 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.141018] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) is a by-product of the extraction of bitumen, and volumes of OSPW have accumulated across the Alberta oil sands region due to the governments zero-discharge policy. Some dissolved organics in OSPW, including toxic naphthenic acids (NAs), can be biodegraded in oxic conditions, thereby reducing the toxicity of OSPW. While there has been much focus on degradation of NAs, the biodegradation of other dissolved organic chemicals by endogenous organisms remains understudied. Here, using the HPLC-ultrahigh resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry, we examined the microbial biodegradation of dissolved organic acids in OSPW. Non-targeted analysis enabled the estimation of biodegradation rates for unique heteroatomic chemical classes detected in negative ion mode. The microcosm experiments were conducted with and without nutrient supplementation, and the changes in the microbial community over time were investigated. Without added nutrients, internal standard-adjusted intensities of all organics, including NAs, were largely unchanged. The addition of nutrients increased the biodegradation rate of O2- and SO2- chemical classes. While anoxic biodegradation can occur in tailings ponds and end pit lakes, microbial community analyses confirmed that the presence of oxygen stimulated biodegradation of the OSPW samples studied. We detected several aerobic hydrocarbon-degrading microbes (e.g., Pseudomonas and Brevundimonas), and microbes capable of degrading sulfur-containing hydrocarbons (e.g., Microbacterium). Microbial community diversity decreased over time with nutrient addition. Overall, the results from this study indicate that toxic dissolved organics beyond NAs can be biodegraded by endogenous organisms in OSPW, but reaffirms that biological treatment strategies require careful consideration of how nutrients and dissolved oxygen may impact efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Asiedu
- Division of Analytical & Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Kankan Zhao
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Mian Nabeel Anwar
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Matthew Ross
- Department of Physical Sciences, MacEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 2P2, Canada
| | - Amy-Lynne Balaberda
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Ania C Ulrich
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada.
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3
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Hou J, Cai Y, Wang J, Zan S, Li Z, Zhu T. Enhanced bioremediation of cyclohexaneacetic acid in offshore sediments with green synthetic iron oxide and Pseudoalteromonas sp. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022:10.1007/s11356-022-24629-7. [PMID: 36481851 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24629-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) have been found to exert serious threats on offshore sediment ecosystems and human health in recent years, which entails us the urgent need for NAs remediation. Bioremediation is considered an ideal method for sediment remediation due to ecological sustainability and economic feasibility. However, current bioremediation efficiency of offshore sediments suffers from relatively slow and there has never any attempts to bioremediate offshore sediment NAs contamination hitherto. In this study, the green synthetic iron oxides (gFeOx) based on Laminaria extracts was employed to enhance the biodegradation of NAs (Cyclohexylacetic acid, CHAA) in offshore sediments by Pseudoalteromonas sp. JSTW (an indigenous microorganism). The results showed that CHAA (20 mg·kg-1) in offshore sediments was removed almost 100% within 7 days at 30 mg·kg-1 gFeOx and 0.6 mg·kg-1 Strain JSTW. High-throughput sequencing results revealed that the structure and function of sediment microbial community were essentially restored to uncontaminated levels after bioremediation, highlighting the joint remediation approach is an efficient and eco-friendly method. Overall, this work has firstly provided insights into the application for NAs in situ bioremediation in offshore sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxiang Hou
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, P.R.C., 116024, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingxue Cai
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, P.R.C., 116024, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, P.R.C., 116024, Dalian, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shuaijun Zan
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, P.R.C., 116024, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Zelong Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, P.R.C., 116024, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongxian Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, P.R.C., 116024, Dalian, People's Republic of China
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4
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Expansion of the composition library for chemodiversity of hardwood extractives at molecular level by ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:2687-2698. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-03909-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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5
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A microbial solution to oil sand pollution: Understanding the microbiomes, metabolic pathways and mechanisms involved in naphthenic acid (NA) biodegradation. ADV ECOL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aecr.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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6
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Zubot W, An Z, Benally C, Gamal El-Din M. Treatment of oil sands process water using petroleum coke: Field pilot. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 289:112407. [PMID: 33799065 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112407] [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: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This is the first large-scale field pilot study that examined the feasibility and effectiveness of petroleum coke (PC), produced by a Fluid Coking Process, as an adsorbent for oil sands process water (OSPW) treatment. The pilot program consisted of an inline series of two reactors (pipeline reactor 1, and batch reactor 2) and lasted for approximately 4 months. The quality of treated OSPW as a function of residence time in the PC deposit under natural climatic conditions was assessed by looking at changes in organic compounds (acid extractable fraction (AEF), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), etc.), vanadium, and other trace element concentrations, major ions, conductivity, total suspended solids (TSS), pH and toxicity. The results indicated that the AEF adsorption by PC followed pseudo-second order kinetics and the overall combined removal efficiency of AEF was greater than 80%. Reactor 1 showed higher AEF removal than Reactor 2. DOC decreased about 50% after 4 weeks of retention in the PC deposit. An increase of vanadium concentration after PC contact indicated that vanadium leaching occurred. However, with increased residence time in the PC deposit, vanadium concentration decreased in the cells and tanks by 42% and 98%, respectively. Filtration through the PC deposit reduced the TSS in OSPW to less than laboratory detectable limits. Unlike untreated OSPW, treated OSPW did not show an acute toxic response based on whole effluent toxicity testing using trout, zooplankton, and bacteria. This study demonstrated that PC adsorption is a potentially commercially viable technology for highly efficient treatment of OSPW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren Zubot
- Syncrude Canada Ltd., Research and Development, Edmonton, Alberta, T6N 1H4, Canada
| | - Zhexuan An
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Chelsea Benally
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Mohamed Gamal El-Din
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada.
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7
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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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8
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Loughery JR, Marentette JR, Frank RA, Hewitt LM, Parrott JL, Martyniuk CJ. Transcriptome Profiling in Larval Fathead Minnow Exposed to Commercial Naphthenic Acids and Extracts from Fresh and Aged Oil Sands Process-Affected Water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:10435-10444. [PMID: 31335129 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Surface mining and extraction of oil sands results in the generation of and need for storage of large volumes of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). More structurally complex than classical naphthenic acids (NAs), naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs) are key toxic constituents of OSPW, and changes in the NAFC profile in OSPW over time have been linked to mitigation of OSPW toxicity. Molecular studies targeting individual genes have indicated that NAFC toxicity is likely mediated via oxidative stress, altered cell cycles, ontogenetic differentiation, endocrine disruption, and immunotoxicity. However, the individual-gene approach results in a limited picture of molecular responses. This study shows that NAFCs, from aged or fresh OSPW, have a unique effect on the larval fathead minnow transcriptome and provides initial data to construct adverse outcome pathways for skeletal deformities. All three types of processed NAs (fresh, aged, and commercial) affected the immunome of developing fish. These gene networks included immunity, inflammatory response, B-cell response, platelet adhesion, and T-helper lymphocyte activity. Larvae exposed to both NAFCs and commercial NA developed cardiovascular and bone deformities, and transcriptomic networks reflected these developmental abnormalities. Gene networks found only in NAFC-exposed fish suggest NAFCs may alter fish cardiovascular health through altered calcium ion regulation. This study improves understanding regarding the molecular perturbations underlying developmental deformities following exposure to NAFCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Loughery
- Department of Biological Sciences , University of New Brunswick , Saint John , NB E2L 4L5 , Canada
| | - Julie R Marentette
- Water Science and Technology Directorate , Environment and Climate Change Canada , Burlington , ON L7S 1A1 , Canada
| | - Richard A Frank
- Water Science and Technology Directorate , Environment and Climate Change Canada , Burlington , ON L7S 1A1 , Canada
| | - L Mark Hewitt
- Water Science and Technology Directorate , Environment and Climate Change Canada , Burlington , ON L7S 1A1 , Canada
| | - Joanne L Parrott
- Water Science and Technology Directorate , Environment and Climate Change Canada , Burlington , ON L7S 1A1 , Canada
| | - Christopher J Martyniuk
- Department of Biological Sciences , University of New Brunswick , Saint John , NB E2L 4L5 , Canada
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9
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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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10
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Bauer AE, Hewitt LM, Parrott JL, Bartlett AJ, Gillis PL, Deeth LE, Rudy MD, Vanderveen R, Brown L, Campbell SD, Rodrigues MR, Farwell AJ, Dixon DG, Frank RA. The toxicity of organic fractions from aged oil sands process-affected water to aquatic species. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 669:702-710. [PMID: 30893625 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The process of surface mining and extracting bitumen from oil sand produces large quantities of tailings and oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). The industry is currently storing OSPW on-site while investigating strategies for their detoxification. One such strategy relies on the biodegradation of organic compounds by indigenous microbes, resulting in aged tailings waters with reduced toxicity. This study assessed the toxicity of OSPW aged statically for approximately 18 years. Dissolved organics in aged OSPW were fractionated using a preparative solid-phase extraction method that generated three organic fractions (F1-F3) of increasing polarity. Eight aquatic species from different trophic levels were exposed to whole OSPW (WW) and the derived OSPW organic fractions to assess toxicity: Pimephales promelas, Oryzias latipes, Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna, Lampsilis cardium, Hyalella azteca, Ceriodaphnia dubia, and Hexagenia spp. Broad comparisons revealed that P. promelas and H. azteca were most sensitive to dissolved organics within aged OSPW, while WW was most toxic to L. cardium and H. azteca. Three cases of possible contaminant interactions occurred within whole OSPW treatments, as toxicity was higher than organic fractions for H. azteca and L. cardium, and lower for P. promelas. As such, the drivers of toxicity appeared to be dependent on the species exposed. Of the organic fractions assessed, F3 (most polar) was the most toxic overall while F2 (intermediate polarity) displayed little toxicity to all species evaluated. This presents strong evidence that classical mono-carboxylic naphthenic acids, mostly present in F1 (least polar), are not primarily responsible for the toxicity in aged tailings. The current study indicates that although the aged tailings source (≥18 years) did not display acute toxicity to the majority of organisms assessed, inorganic components and polyoxygenated organics may pose a persistent concern to some aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony E Bauer
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, ON, Canada
| | - L M Hewitt
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington L7S 1A1, ON, Canada.
| | - J L Parrott
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington L7S 1A1, ON, Canada
| | - A J Bartlett
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington L7S 1A1, ON, Canada
| | - P L Gillis
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington L7S 1A1, ON, Canada
| | - L E Deeth
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Guelph, Guelph N1G 2W1, ON, Canada
| | - M D Rudy
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington L7S 1A1, ON, Canada
| | - R Vanderveen
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington L7S 1A1, ON, Canada
| | - L Brown
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington L7S 1A1, ON, Canada
| | - S D Campbell
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington L7S 1A1, ON, Canada
| | - M R Rodrigues
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington L7S 1A1, ON, Canada
| | - A J Farwell
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, ON, Canada
| | - D G Dixon
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, ON, Canada
| | - R A Frank
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington L7S 1A1, ON, Canada
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11
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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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12
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HUANG XM, WU Y, CUI JT, WANG FH, WANG X, LI YF, WU WY. Applications of High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry in Determination of Chlorinated Paraffins. CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2040(19)61144-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Wang B, Cui H, Liu H, Wan Y. Derivatization for Nontargeted Screening of Acids in Oilfield Refinery Wastewater: Identification and Behaviors of Recalcitrant Chlorinated Naphthenic Acids. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:1022-1030. [PMID: 30554506 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b05310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The nontargeted scanning chemical profiling approach has shown great potential to identify unknown pollutants or novel biological markers; however, the structure identification of unknown compounds is a challenge. In this study, a carboxyl-specific derivatization reagent, N-(4-aminomethylphenyl) pyridinium (AMPP), was coupled with QTOF-MSE-MS scanning to establish a high-throughput nontargeted scanning method for acid compounds. The scanning method can isolate the precursor by data-independent acquisition and can select all of the acid compounds based on the characteristic fragment generated from the derivatization reagent. The method was applied to scan naphthenic acid fraction compounds in petroleum refinery wastewater and identify 70-126 NAs, 30-68 oxy-NAs, 54-60 NAs containing nitrogen, and 66-75 NAs containing both nitrogen and oxygen. Chlorinated NAs (Cl-NAs) including monochlorinated NAs (Cl-NAs), monochlorinated hydroxylated NAs (Cl-OH-NAs), and dichlorinated dihydroxylated NAs (Cl2-(OH)2-NAs) were first identified with the aid of chlorine isotopic patterns. The Cl-NAs might be naturally presented in crude oil together with NAs. Occurrences and mass balances of Cl-NAs were further assessed in the wastewater treatment plant in north China. The total concentrations of ∑Cl-NAs were estimated to be 12 ± 7.8-18 ± 17 μg/L and 8.5 ± 2.0-68 ± 35 μg/g in the wastewater and solid samples, respectively. The removal efficiencies of Cl-NAs (-29.9 to 34.3%) were much lower than those of NAs, suggesting the high recalcitrance of chlorinated compounds during the treatment processes. The estimated mass loss fractions due to degradation for Cl-NAs were 26.5-53.4% of initial loadings, and relatively high fractions (32.1-56.8%) were observed in the effluent directly discharged to the environment. Advanced treatment techniques are needed to effectively reduce the persistent Cl-NAs in the wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beili Wang
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Hongyang Cui
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Hang Liu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Yi Wan
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
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14
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Yassine MM, Dabek-Zlotorzynska E. Investigation of isomeric structures in a commercial mixture of naphthenic acids using ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid traveling wave ion mobility-time of flight mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2018; 1572:90-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2018.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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15
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Zhu GT, Liu F, He S, He XM, Zhu SK, Feng YQ. Magnetic extractant with an Fe3O4@SiO2 core and aqueous ammonia coating for microextraction of petroleum acids. RSC Adv 2018; 8:19486-19493. [PMID: 35541011 PMCID: PMC9080699 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra02262c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Custom-made magnetic aqueous ammonia was prepared for rapid and selective extraction of petroleum acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang-Tian Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources (Ministry of Education)
- China University of Geosciences
- Wuhan 430074
- P. R. China
| | - Fei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources (Ministry of Education)
- China University of Geosciences
- Wuhan 430074
- P. R. China
| | - Sheng He
- Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources (Ministry of Education)
- China University of Geosciences
- Wuhan 430074
- P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Mei He
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biology and Medicine (Ministry of Education)
- Department of Chemistry
- Wuhan University
- Wuhan 430072
- P. R. China
| | - Shu-Kui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology
- China University of Geosciences
- Wuhan 430074
- P. R. China
| | - Yu-Qi Feng
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biology and Medicine (Ministry of Education)
- Department of Chemistry
- Wuhan University
- Wuhan 430072
- P. R. China
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16
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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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17
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Morandi GD, Wiseman SB, Guan M, Zhang XW, Martin JW, Giesy JP. Elucidating mechanisms of toxic action of dissolved organic chemicals in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 186:893-900. [PMID: 28830063 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) is generated during extraction of bitumen in the surface-mining oil sands industry in Alberta, Canada, and is acutely and chronically toxic to aquatic organisms. It is known that dissolved organic compounds in OSPW are responsible for most toxic effects, but knowledge of the specific mechanism(s) of toxicity, is limited. Using bioassay-based effects-directed analysis, the dissolved organic fraction of OSPW has previously been fractionated, ultimately producing refined samples of dissolved organic chemicals in OSPW, each with distinct chemical profiles. Using the Escherichia coli K-12 strain MG1655 gene reporter live cell array, the present study investigated relationships between toxic potencies of each fraction, expression of genes and characterization of chemicals in each of five acutely toxic and one non-toxic extract of OSPW derived by use of effects-directed analysis. Effects on expressions of genes related to response to oxidative stress, protein stress and DNA damage were indicative of exposure to acutely toxic extracts of OSPW. Additionally, six genes were uniquely responsive to acutely toxic extracts of OSPW. Evidence presented supports a role for sulphur- and nitrogen-containing chemical classes in the toxicity of extracts of OSPW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett D Morandi
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Steve B Wiseman
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences and Water Institute for Sustainable Environments (WISE), University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Miao Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Xiaowei W Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
| | - Jonathan W Martin
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, Canada; Department of Environmental Sciences and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 114 18, Sweden
| | - John P Giesy
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada; Zoology Department, Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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18
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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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19
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VanMensel D, Chaganti SR, Boudens R, Reid T, Ciborowski J, Weisener C. Investigating the Microbial Degradation Potential in Oil Sands Fluid Fine Tailings Using Gamma Irradiation: A Metagenomic Perspective. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2017; 74:362-372. [PMID: 28246922 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-017-0953-7] [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: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Open-pit mining of the Athabasca oil sands has generated large volumes of waste termed fluid fine tailings (FFT), stored in tailings ponds. Accumulation of toxic organic substances in the tailings ponds is one of the biggest concerns. Gamma irradiation (GI) treatment could accelerate the biodegradation of toxic organic substances. Hence, this research investigates the response of the microbial consortia in GI-treated FFT materials with an emphasis on changes in diversity and organism-related stimuli. FFT materials from aged and fresh ponds were used in the study under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Variations in the microbial diversity in GI-treated FFT materials were monitored for 52 weeks and significant stimuli (p < 0.05) were observed. Chemoorganotrophic organisms dominated in fresh and aged ponds and showed increased relative abundance resulting from GI treatment. GI-treated anaerobic FFTaged reported stimulus of organisms with biodegradation potential (e.g., Pseudomonas, Enterobacter) and methylotrophic capabilities (e.g., Syntrophus, Smithella). In comparison, GI-treated anaerobic FFTfresh stimulated Desulfuromonas as the principle genus at 52 weeks. Under aerobic conditions, GI-treated FFTaged showed stimulation of organisms capable of sulfur and iron cycling (e.g., Geobacter). However, GI-treated aerobic FFTfresh showed no stimulus at 52 weeks. This research provides an enhanced understanding of oil sands tailings biogeochemistry and the impacts of GI treatment on microorganisms as an effect for targeting toxic organics. The outcomes of this study highlight the potential for this approach to accelerate stabilization and reclamation end points. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle VanMensel
- Great Lakes Institute of Environmental Science, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada.
| | - Subba Rao Chaganti
- Great Lakes Institute of Environmental Science, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Ryan Boudens
- Great Lakes Institute of Environmental Science, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Thomas Reid
- Great Lakes Institute of Environmental Science, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Jan Ciborowski
- Department of Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher Weisener
- Great Lakes Institute of Environmental Science, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
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20
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Bartlett AJ, Frank RA, Gillis PL, Parrott JL, Marentette JR, Brown LR, Hooey T, Vanderveen R, McInnis R, Brunswick P, Shang D, Headley JV, Peru KM, Hewitt LM. Toxicity of naphthenic acids to invertebrates: Extracts from oil sands process-affected water versus commercial mixtures. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 227:271-279. [PMID: 28477551 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The toxicity of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) has been primarily attributed to polar organic constituents, including naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs). Our objective was to assess the toxicity of NAFCs derived from fresh and aged OSPW, as well as commercial naphthenic acid (NA) mixtures. Exposures were conducted with three aquatic species: Hyalella azteca (freshwater amphipod), Vibrio fischeri (marine bacterium, Microtox® assay), and Lampsilis cardium (freshwater mussel larvae (glochidia)). Commercial NAs were more toxic than NAFCs, with differences of up to 30-, 4-, and 120-fold for H. azteca, V. fischeri, and L. cardium, respectively, demonstrating that commercial NAs are not reliable surrogates for assessing the toxicity of NAFCs. Differences in toxicity between species were striking for both commercial NAs and NAFCs. Overall, V. fischeri was the least sensitive and H. azteca was the most sensitive organism. Responses of V. fischeri and H. azteca to NAFC exposures were consistent (< 2-fold difference) regardless of source and age of OSPW; however, effects on L. cardium ranged 17-fold between NAFCs. NAFCs derived from fresh OSPW sources were similarly or less toxic to those from aged OSPW. Our results support the need to better characterize the complex mixtures associated with bitumen-influenced waters, both chemically and toxicologically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne J Bartlett
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Richard A Frank
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Patricia L Gillis
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Joanne L Parrott
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Julie R Marentette
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Lisa R Brown
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Tina Hooey
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Ruth Vanderveen
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Rodney McInnis
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pamela Brunswick
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Vancouver V7H 1V2, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Dayue Shang
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Vancouver V7H 1V2, British Columbia, Canada
| | - John V Headley
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon S7N 3H5, Saskatchewan, Canada.
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon S7N 3H5, Saskatchewan, Canada.
| | - L Mark Hewitt
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
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21
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Kovalchik KA, MacLennan MS, Peru KM, Headley JV, Chen DDY. Standard method design considerations for semi-quantification of total naphthenic acids in oil sands process affected water by mass spectrometry: A review. Front Chem Sci Eng 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11705-017-1652-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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22
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Lari E, Steinkey D, Morandi G, Rasmussen JB, Giesy JP, Pyle GG. Oil sands process-affected water impairs feeding by Daphnia magna. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 175:465-472. [PMID: 28242462 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.02.088] [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: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Growth in extraction of bitumen from oil sands has raised concerns about influences of this industry on surrounding environments. Water clearance rate (a surrogate of feeding rate by Daphnia magna) in water containing D. magna exposed to oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) and its principal components, dissolved component (DC) and suspended particulate matter (SPM), was reduced to 72, 29, and 59% of controls, respectively. This study also examined several possible mechanisms for the observed changes algal cell density (i.e., feeding rate). There was no change in the digestive enzymes trypsin or amylase when D. magna were exposed to DC or SPM; however, exposure to total OSPW reduced trypsin activity. Mandible rolling or post-abdominal rejections, which are indicators of feeding and palatability of food, were not affected by any exposures to OSPW. Beating of thoracic limbs, which provides water flow toward the feeding groove, was reduced by exposure to SPM or total OSPW. Peristaltic activity was reduced by exposure to DC, which then might result in reduced digestion time in D. magna exposed to DC, SPM or whole OSPW. All treatments caused an increase in numbers of intact algae cells in the hindgut and excreted material. These results suggest that both DC and SPM affect feeding of D. magna by impairing actions of the digestive system, but most probably not by reducing rates of ingestion.
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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
| | - Garrett Morandi
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Joseph B Rasmussen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - John P Giesy
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Zoology, and Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Greg G Pyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada
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23
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Li T, Wan Y, Gao S, Wang B, Hu J. High-Throughput Determination and Characterization of Short-, Medium-, and Long-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins in Human Blood. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:3346-3354. [PMID: 28222594 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b05149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The industrial chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are comprised of short-chain (SCCPs), medium chain (MCCPs), and long chain (LCCPs) CPs. Although SCCPs and MCCPs are environmentally ubiquitous, little is known about CPs in humans. This study established a method for simultaneous determination of 261 SCCP, MCCP, and LCCP congener groups in one injection by reversed ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with chlorine-enhanced electron spray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The method yielded good peak shapes, high sensitivities, and low coeluted interferences for all examined CPs. LCCPs with carbon numbers of 21 to 27 were detected in their standard technical mixtures, and MCCPs and LCCPs impurities were detected in the LCCP and MCCP standard technical mixtures, respectively, causing quantification deviations when these mixtures were used for calibration. After considering these impurities' contribution to the total concentrations, the quantification accuracies for ∑SCCPs, ∑MCCPs, and ∑LCCPs ranged from 95.1 ± 8.4% to 105.6 ± 9.2% in the eight CP technical mixtures. The method was successfully applied to determine CPs in about 6 g human blood samples from a general population, and estimated ∑SCCP, ∑MCCP, and ∑LCCP concentrations to be 370-35 000, 130-3200, and 22-530 ng/g lipid weight (n = 50), respectively. A comparison of blood and soil/air CP profiles from the same areas suggested a relatively higher potential for the accumulation of SCCPs, compared with MCCPs, in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Li
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yi Wan
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shixiong Gao
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Beili Wang
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jianying Hu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
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24
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Zhu GT, He S, He XM, Zhu SK, Feng YQ. A micro-solid phase extraction in glass pipette packed with amino-functionalized silica for rapid analysis of petroleum acids in crude oils. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra06763a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A convenient micro-SPE was designed for rapid analysis of petroleum acids in crude oils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang-Tian Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources (Ministry of Education)
- China University of Geosciences
- Wuhan 430074
- P. R. China
| | - Sheng He
- Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources (Ministry of Education)
- China University of Geosciences
- Wuhan 430074
- P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Mei He
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biology and Medicine (Ministry of Education)
- Department of Chemistry
- Wuhan University
- Wuhan 430072
- P. R. China
| | - Shu-Kui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology
- China University of Geosciences
- Wuhan 430074
- P. R. China
| | - Yu-Qi Feng
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biology and Medicine (Ministry of Education)
- Department of Chemistry
- Wuhan University
- Wuhan 430072
- P. R. China
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25
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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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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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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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29
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Wang B, Wan Y, Zheng G, Hu J. Evaluating a Tap Water Contamination Incident Attributed to Oil Contamination by Nontargeted Screening Strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:2956-2963. [PMID: 26862992 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b05755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The present study applied nontargeted screening techniques as a novel approach to evaluate the tap water samples collected during the "4.11" tap water pollution incident occurred on April 11, 2014 in Lanzhou in west China. Multivariate analysis (PCA and OPLS-DA) of about 3000 chemical features obtained in extracts of tap water samples by ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) analysis showed significantly different chemical profiles in tap water from pollution regions versus reference regions during the event. These different chemical profiles in samples from different regions were not observed in samples collected during the nonpollution period. The compounds responsible for the differences in profiles between regions were identified as naphthenic acids (NAs) and oxidized NAs (oxy-NAs) after the sample extracts underwent bromination to explore saturations, dansylation to identify hydroxylations and corresponding MS/MS mode analysis. A consistent finding was further observed in the targeted analysis of NA mixtures, demonstrating that the Lanzhou "4.11" tap water pollution incident could be attributed to oil spill pollution, and NA mixtures would be a marker for oil contamination. Such evaluations can help to rapidly discriminate pollution sources in accidental pollution events and contribute to regular water monitoring management of water safety issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beili Wang
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yi Wan
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Guomao Zheng
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jianying Hu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
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30
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Barrow MP, Peru KM, Fahlman B, Hewitt LM, Frank RA, Headley JV. Beyond Naphthenic Acids: Environmental Screening of Water from Natural Sources and the Athabasca Oil Sands Industry Using Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2015; 26:1508-1521. [PMID: 26115966 DOI: 10.1007/s13361-015-1188-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing need for environmental screening of natural waters in the Athabasca region of Alberta, Canada, particularly in the differentiation between anthropogenic and naturally-derived organic compounds associated with weathered bitumen deposits. Previous research has focused primarily upon characterization of naphthenic acids in water samples by negative-ion electrospray ionization methods. Atmospheric pressure photoionization is a much less widely used ionization method, but one that affords the possibility of observing low polarity compounds that cannot be readily observed by electrospray ionization. This study describes the first usage of atmospheric pressure photoionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (in both positive-ion and negative-ion modes) to characterize and compare extracts of oil sands process water, river water, and groundwater samples from areas associated with oil sands mining activities. When comparing mass spectra previously obtained by electrospray ionization and data acquired by atmospheric pressure photoionization, there can be a doubling of the number of components detected. In addition to polar compounds that have previously been observed, low-polarity, sulfur-containing compounds and hydrocarbons that do not incorporate a heteroatom were detected. These latter components, which are not amenable to electrospray ionization, have potential for screening efforts within monitoring programs of the oil sands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Barrow
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK,
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31
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Zhang K, Pereira AS, Martin JW. Estimates of Octanol-Water Partitioning for Thousands of Dissolved Organic Species in Oil Sands Process-Affected Water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:8907-13. [PMID: 26098972 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b01656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the octanol-water distribution ratios (DOW, that is, apparent KOW at pH 8.4) of 2114 organic species in oil sands process-affected water were estimated by partitioning to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coated stir bars and analysis by ultrahigh resolution orbitrap mass spectrometry in electrospray positive ((+)) and negative ((-)) ionization modes. At equilibrium, the majority of species in OSPW showed negligible partitioning to PDMS (i.e., DOW <1), however estimated DOW's for some species ranged up to 100,000. Most organic acids detected in ESI- had negligible partitioning, although some naphthenic acids (O2(-) species) had estimated DOW ranging up to 100. Polar neutral and basic compounds detected in ESI+ generally partitioned to PDMS to a greater extent than organic acids. Among these species, DOW was greatest among 3 groups: up to 1000 for mono-oxygenated species (O(+) species), up to 127,000 for NO(+) species, and up to 203,000 for SO(+) species. A positive relationship was observed between DOW and carbon number, and a negative relationship was observed with the number of double bonds (or rings). The results highlight that nonacidic compounds in OSPW are generally more hydrophobic than naphthenic acids and that some may be highly bioaccumulative and contribute to toxicity.
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32
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Marentette JR, Frank RA, Bartlett AJ, Gillis PL, Hewitt LM, Peru KM, Headley JV, Brunswick P, Shang D, Parrott JL. Toxicity of naphthenic acid fraction components extracted from fresh and aged oil sands process-affected waters, and commercial naphthenic acid mixtures, to fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) embryos. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2015; 164:108-117. [PMID: 25957715 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2015.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) are constituents of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). These compounds can be both toxic and persistent and thus are a primary concern for the ultimate remediation of tailings ponds in northern Alberta's oil sands regions. Recent research has focused on the toxicity of NAs to the highly vulnerable early life-stages of fish. Here we examined fathead minnow embryonic survival, growth and deformities after exposure to extracted NA fraction components (NAFCs), from fresh and aged oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), as well as commercially available NA mixtures. Commercial NA mixtures were dominated by acyclic O2 species, while NAFCs from OSPW were dominated by bi- and tricyclic O2 species. Fathead minnow embryos less than 24h old were reared in tissue culture plates terminating at hatch. Both NAFC and commercial NA mixtures reduced hatch success, although NAFCs from OSPW were less toxic (EC50=5-12mg/L, nominal concentrations) than commercial NAs (2mg/L, nominal concentrations). The toxicities of NAFCs from aged and fresh OSPW were similar. Embryonic heart rates at 2 days post-fertilization (dpf) declined with increasing NAFC exposure, paralleling patterns of hatch success and rates of cardiovascular abnormalities (e.g., pericardial edemas) at hatch. Finfold deformities increased in exposures to commercial NA mixtures, not NAFCs. Thus, commercial NA mixtures are not appropriate surrogates for NAFC toxicity. Further work clarifying the mechanisms of action of NAFCs in OSPW, as well as comparisons with additional aged sources of OSPW, is merited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie R Marentette
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Richard A Frank
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Adrienne J Bartlett
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Patricia L Gillis
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - L Mark Hewitt
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - John V Headley
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Pamela Brunswick
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dayue Shang
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joanne L Parrott
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada.
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33
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Brunswick P, Shang D, van Aggelen G, Hindle R, Hewitt LM, Frank RA, Haberl M, Kim M. Trace analysis of total naphthenic acids in aqueous environmental matrices by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry direct injection. J Chromatogr A 2015; 1405:49-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2015.05.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Revised: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Yi Y, Birks SJ, Cho S, Gibson JJ. Characterization of organic composition in snow and surface waters in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, using ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform mass spectrometry. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 518-519:148-58. [PMID: 25747374 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Revised: 01/31/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
This study was conducted to characterize the composition of dissolved organic compounds present in snow and surface waters in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) with the goal of identifying whether atmospherically-derived organic compounds present in snow are a significant contributor to the compounds detected in surface waters (i.e., rivers and lakes). We used electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR MS) to characterize the dissolved organic compound compositions of snow and surface water samples. The organic profiles obtained for the snow samples show compositional differences between samples from near-field sites (<5 km from oil sands activities) and those from more distant locations (i.e., far-field sites). There are also significant compositional differences between samples collected in near-field sites and surface water samples in the AOSR. The composition of dissolved organic compounds at the upstream Athabasca River site (i.e., Athabasca River at Athabasca) is found to be different from samples obtained from downstream sites in the vicinity of oil sands operations (i.e., Athabasca River at Fort McMurray and Athabasca River at Firebag confluence). The upstream Athabasca River sites tended to share some compositional similarities with far-field snow deposition, while the downstream Athabasca River sites are more similar to local lakes and tributaries. This contrast likely indicates the relative role of regional snowmelt contributions to the Athabasca River vs inputs from local catchments in the reach downstream of Fort McMurray.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Yi
- Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - S J Birks
- Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - S Cho
- Clean Energy Branch, Policy Division, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - J J Gibson
- Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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35
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Brown L, Ulrich A. Protocols for Measurement of Naphthenic Acids in Aqueous Samples. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/8623_2015_88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
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36
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Wang B, Wan Y, Gao Y, Zheng G, Yang M, Wu S, Hu J. Occurrences and behaviors of naphthenic acids in a petroleum refinery wastewater treatment plant. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:5796-804. [PMID: 25850668 DOI: 10.1021/es505809g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) are one class of compounds in wastewaters from petroleum industries that are known to cause toxic effects, and their removal from oilfield wastewater is an important challenge for remediation of large volumes of petrochemical effluents. The present study investigated occurrences and behaviors of total NAs and aromatic NAs in a refinery wastewater treatment plant, located in north China, which combined physicochemical and biological processes. Concentrations of total NAs were semiquantified to be 113-392 μg/L in wastewater from all the treatment units, and the percentages of aromatic NAs in total NAs was estimated to be 2.1-8.8%. The mass reduction for total NAs and aromatic NAs was 15±16% and 7.5±24% after the physicochemical treatment, respectively. Great mass reduction (total NAs: 65±11%, aromatic NAs: 86±5%) was observed in the biological treatment units, and antiestrogenic activities observed in wastewater from physicochemical treatment units disappeared in the effluent of the activated sludge system. The distributions of mass fractions of NAs demonstrated that biodegradation via activated sludge was the major mechanism for removing alicyclic NAs, aromatic NAs, and related toxicities in the plant, and the polycyclic NA congener classes were relatively recalcitrant to biodegradation, which is a complete contrast to the preferential adsorption of NAs with higher cyclicity (low Z value). Removal efficiencies of total NAs were 73±17% in summer, which were higher than those in winter (53±15%), and the seasonal variation was possibly due to the relatively high microbial biotransformation activities in the activated sludge system in summer (indexed by O3-NAs/NAs). The results of the investigations indicated that biotransformation of NA mixtures by the activated sludge system were largely affected by temperature, and employing an efficient adsorbent together with biodegradation processes would help cost-effectively remove NAs in petroleum effluents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beili Wang
- †Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Wan
- †Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingxin Gao
- ‡Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Ecoenvironmental Science Research Center, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
| | - Guomao Zheng
- †Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Yang
- ‡Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Ecoenvironmental Science Research Center, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Wu
- §Petrochina Ji Dong Oilfield Company, Tangshan, 063200 Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianying Hu
- †Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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37
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Brown LD, Ulrich AC. Oil sands naphthenic acids: a review of properties, measurement, and treatment. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 127:276-290. [PMID: 25753852 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The Alberta oil sands contain one of the world's largest reserves of oil - over 169 billion barrels of bitumen are economically recoverable with current extraction technologies. Surface mining and subsequent hot water extraction of bitumen from the ore generates about nine cubic meters of raw tailings per cubic meter of oil. Oil sands facilities are required to operate under a policy of zero water discharge, resulting in ponds containing more than one billion cubic meters of tailings, a mixture of sand, fines and process-affected water. Process-affected water contains numerous organic compounds, including naphthenic acids (NAs), which have been identified as the primary source of acute toxicity of process-affected water. Developments in analytical techniques, aerobic biodegradability, and treatment via chemical oxidation (ozone) of NAs are reviewed. The field continues to be challenged by the lack of a cost-effective, accurate analytical technique for NAs or an understanding of all the organic constituents in process-affected water that may be contributing to observed toxicity and thus requiring treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D Brown
- 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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38
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Bauer AE, Frank RA, Headley JV, Peru KM, Hewitt LM, Dixon DG. Enhanced characterization of oil sands acid-extractable organics fractions using electrospray ionization-high-resolution mass spectrometry and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2015; 34:1001-1008. [PMID: 25615406 DOI: 10.1002/etc.2896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The open pit oil sands mining operations north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, are accumulating tailings waste at a rate approximately equal to 4.9 million m(3) /d. Naphthenic acids are among the most toxic components within tailings to aquatic life, but structural components have largely remained unidentified. In the present study, electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS) and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) were used to characterize fractions derived from the distillation of an acid-extractable organics (AEO) mixture isolated from oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). Mean molecular weights of each fraction, and their relative proportions to the whole AEO extract, were as follows: fraction 1: 237 Da, 8.3%; fraction 2: 240 Da, 23.8%; fraction 3: 257 Da, 26.7%; fraction 4: 308 Da, 18.9%; fraction 5: 355 Da, 10.0%. With increasing mean molecular weight of the AEO fractions, a concurrent increase occurred in the relative abundance of nitrogen-, sulfur-, and oxygen-containing ions, double-bond equivalents, and degree of aromaticity. Structures present in the higher-molecular-weight fractions (fraction 4 and fraction 5) suggested the presence of heteroatoms, dicarboxyl and dihydroxy groups, and organic acid compounds with the potential to function as estrogens. Because organic acid compositions become dominated by more recalcitrant, higher-molecular-weight acids during natural degradation, these findings are important in the context of oil sands tailings pond water remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony E Bauer
- Biology Department, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Swigert JP, Lee C, Wong DCL, White R, Scarlett AG, West CE, Rowland SJ. Aquatic hazard assessment of a commercial sample of naphthenic acids. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 124:1-9. [PMID: 25434270 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.10.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/26/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents chemical composition and aquatic toxicity characteristics of a commercial sample of naphthenic acids (NAs). Naphthenic acids are derived from the refining of petroleum middle distillates and can contribute to refinery effluent toxicity. NAs are also present in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), but differences in the NAs compositions from these sources precludes using a common aquatic toxicity dataset to represent the aquatic hazards of NAs from both origins. Our chemical characterization of a commercial sample of NAs showed it to contain in order of abundance, 1-ring>2-ring>acyclic>3-ring acids (∼84%). Also present were monoaromatic acids (7%) and non-acids (9%, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and sulfur heterocyclic compounds). While the acyclic acids were only the third most abundant group, the five most abundant individual compounds were identified as C(10-14) n-acids (n-decanoic acid to n-tetradecanoic acid). Aquatic toxicity testing of fish (Pimephales promelas), invertebrate (Daphnia magna), algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), and bacteria (Vibrio fischeri) showed P. promelas to be the most sensitive species with 96-h LL50=9.0 mg L(-1) (LC50=5.6 mg L(-1)). Acute EL50 values for the other species ranged 24-46 mg L(-1) (EC50 values ranged 20-30 mg L(-1)). Biomimetic extraction via solid-phase-microextraction (BE-SPME) suggested a nonpolar narcosis mode of toxic action for D. magna, P. subcapitata, and V. fischeri. The BE analysis under-predicted fish toxicity, which indicates that a specific mode of action, besides narcosis, may be a factor for fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Swigert
- EcoTox Assessments, 506 Tenant Circle, Saint Michaels, MD 21663, USA.
| | - Carol Lee
- ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, 1545 Route 22 East, Annandale, NJ 08801, USA
| | - Diana C L Wong
- Shell Health Americas, One Shell Plaza, 910 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002, USA
| | - Russell White
- American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA
| | - Alan G Scarlett
- Biogeochemistry Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Charles E West
- Biogeochemistry Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Steven J Rowland
- Biogeochemistry Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
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Rowland SJ, Pereira AS, Martin JW, Scarlett AG, West CE, Lengger SK, Wilde MJ, Pureveen J, Tegelaar EW, Frank RA, Hewitt LM. Mass spectral characterisation of a polar, esterified fraction of an organic extract of an oil sands process water. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2014; 28:2352-62. [PMID: 25279749 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Revised: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Characterising complex mixtures of organic compounds in polar fractions of heavy petroleum is challenging, but is important for pollution studies and for exploration and production geochemistry. Oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) stored in large tailings ponds by Canadian oil sands industries contains such mixtures. METHODS A polar OSPW fraction was obtained by silver ion solid-phase extraction with methanol elution. This was examined by numerous methods, including electrospray ionisation (ESI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICRMS) and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (uHPLC)/Orbitrap MS, in multiple ionisation and MS/MS modes. Compounds were also synthesised for comparison. RESULTS The major ESI ionisable compounds detected (+ion mode) were C15-28 SO3 species with 3-7 double bond equivalents (DBE) and C27-28 SO5 species with 5 DBE. ESI-MS/MS collision-induced losses were due to water, methanol, water plus methanol and water plus methyl formate, typical of methyl esters of hydroxy acids. Once the fraction was re-saponified, species originally detected by positive ion MS, could be detected only by negative ion MS, consistent with their assignment as sulphur-containing hydroxy carboxylic acids. The free acid of a keto dibenzothiophene alkanoic acid was added to an unesterified acid extract of OSPW in known concentrations as a putative internal standard, but attempted quantification in this way proved unreliable. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest the more polar acidic organic SO3 constituents of OSPW include C15-28 S-containing, alicyclic and aromatic hydroxy carboxylic acids. SO5 species are possibly sulphone analogues of these. The origin of such compounds is probably via further biotransformation (hydroxylation) of the related S-containing carboxylic acids identified previously in a less polar OSPW fraction. The environmental risks, corrosivity and oil flow assurance effects should be easier to assess, given that partial structures are now known, although further identification is still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Rowland
- Biogeochemistry Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
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Noestheden MR, Headley JV, Peru KM, Barrow MP, Burton LL, Sakuma T, Winkler P, Campbell JL. Rapid characterization of naphthenic acids using differential mobility spectrometry and mass spectrometry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:10264-10272. [PMID: 25032949 DOI: 10.1021/es501821h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
To analyze the naphthenic acid content of environmental waters quickly and efficiently, we have developed a method that employs differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS). This technique combines the benefits of infusion-based MS experiments (parallel, on-demand access to individual components) with DMS's ability to provide liquid chromatography-like separations of isobaric and isomeric compounds in a fraction of the time. In this study, we have applied a DMS-MS workflow to the rapid gas-phase separation of naphthenic acids (NAs) within a technical standard and a real-world oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) extract. Among the findings provided by this workflow are the rapid characterization of isomeric NAs (i.e., same molecular formulas) in a complex OSPW sample, the ability to use DMS to isolate individual NA components (including isomeric NAs) for in-depth structural analyses, and a method by which NA analytes, background ions, and dimer species can be characterized by their distinct behaviors in DMS. Overall, the profiles of the NA content of the technical and OSPW samples were consistent with published values for similar samples, such that the benefits of DMS technology do not detract from the workflow's accuracy or quality.
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McKenzie N, Yue S, Liu X, Ramsay BA, Ramsay JA. Biodegradation of naphthenic acids in oils sands process waters in an immobilized soil/sediment bioreactor. CHEMOSPHERE 2014; 109:164-172. [PMID: 24602345 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Revised: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous extraction of bitumen in the Alberta oil sands industry produces large volumes of oil sands process water (OSPW) containing naphthenic acids (NAs), a complex mixture of carboxylic acids that are acutely toxic to aquatic organisms. Although aerobic biodegradation reduces NA concentrations and OSPW toxicity, treatment times are long, however, immobilized cell reactors have the potential to improve NA removal rates. In this study, two immobilized soil/sediment bioreactors (ISBRs) operating in series were evaluated for treatment of NAs in OSPW. A biofilm was established from microorganisms associated with sediment particles from an OSPW contaminated wetland on a non-woven textile. At 16 months of continuous operation with OSPW as the sole source of carbon and energy, 38±7% NA removal was consistently achieved at a residence time of 160 h at a removal rate of 2.32 mg NAs L(-1)d(-1). The change in NA profile measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry indicated that biodegradability decreased with increasing cyclicity. These results indicate that such treatment can significantly reduce NA removal rates compared to most studies, and the treatment of native process water in a bioreactor has been demonstrated. Amplification of bacterial 16S rRNA genes and sequencing using Ion Torrent sequencing characterized the reactors' biofilm populations and found as many as 235 and 198 distinct genera in the first and second bioreactor, respectively, with significant populations of ammonium- and nitrite-oxidizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie McKenzie
- Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Siqing Yue
- Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Xudong Liu
- Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Bruce A Ramsay
- Polyferm Canada Inc., RR1, Harrowsmith, ON K0H 1V0, Canada
| | - Juliana A Ramsay
- Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada.
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Barrow MP, Peru KM, Headley JV. An added dimension: GC atmospheric pressure chemical ionization FTICR MS and the Athabasca oil sands. Anal Chem 2014; 86:8281-8. [PMID: 25036898 DOI: 10.1021/ac501710y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The Athabasca oil sands industry, an alternative source of petroleum, uses large quantities of water during processing of the oil sands. In keeping with Canadian environmental policy, the processed water cannot be released to natural waters and is thus retained on-site in large tailings ponds. There is an increasing need for further development of analytical methods for environmental monitoring. The following details the first example of the application of gas chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (GC-APCI-FTICR MS) for the study of environmental samples from the Athabasca region of Canada. APCI offers the advantages of reduced fragmentation compared to other ionization methods and is also more amenable to compounds that are inaccessible by electrospray ionization. The combination of GC with ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry can improve the characterization of complex mixtures where components cannot be resolved by GC alone. This, in turn, affords the ability to monitor extracted ion chromatograms for components of the same nominal mass and isomers in the complex mixtures. The proof of concept work described here is based upon the characterization of one oil sands process water sample and two groundwater samples in the area of oil sands activity. Using the new method, the Ox and OxS compound classes predominated, with OxS classes being particularly relevant to the oil sands industry. The potential to resolve retention times for individual components within the complex mixture, highlighting contributions from isomers, and to characterize retention time profiles for homologous series is shown, in addition to the ability to follow profiles of double bond equivalents and carbon number for a compound class as a function of retention time. The method is shown to be well-suited for environmental forensics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Barrow
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick , Coventry, CV4 7AL United Kingdom
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Wan Y, Wang B, Khim JS, Hong S, Shim WJ, Hu J. Naphthenic acids in coastal sediments after the Hebei Spirit oil spill: a potential indicator for oil contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:4153-4162. [PMID: 24579908 DOI: 10.1021/es405034y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) as toxic components in most petroleum sources are suspected to be one of the major pollutants in the aquatic environment following oil spills, and the polarity and persistence of NAs make it a potential indicator for oil contamination. However, the contamination and potential effects of pollutants in oil spill affected areas remain unknown. To investigate NAs in oil spill affected areas, a sensitive method was first established for analysis of NAs, together with oxy-NAs in sediment samples by UPLC-QTOF-MS. Then the method was applied to determine the NA mixtures in crude oil, weathered oil, and sediments from the spilled sites after the Hebei Spirit oil spill, Taean, South Korea (Dec. 2007). Concentrations of NAs, O3-NAs, and O4-NAs were found to be 7.8-130, 3.6-44, and 0.8-20 mg kg(-1) dw in sediments from the Taean area, respectively, which were much greater than those measured in the reference sites of Manlipo and Anmyundo beaches. Concentrations of NAs were 50-100 times greater than those (0.077-2.5 mg kg(-1) dw) of PAHs in the same sediment samples, thus the ecological risk of NAs in oil spill affected areas deserves more attention. The sedimentary profiles of oil-derived NAs and background NAs centered around compounds with 21-35 and 12-21 carbons, respectively, indicating that the crude-derived NA mixtures originating from the 2007 oil spill were persistent. Acyclic NAsn=5-20 were easily degraded compared to cyclic NAsn=21-41 during the oil weathering processes, and the ratio of oxy-NAsn=21-41 relative to NAsn=21-41 could be a novel index to estimate the degree of oil weathering in sediments. Altogether, the persistent oil-derived NAsn=21-41 could be used as a potential indicator for oil-specific contamination, as such compounds would not be much affected by the properties of coastal sediments possibly due to the high sorption of the negatively charged compounds (NAs) in sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wan
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University , Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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45
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West CE, Scarlett AG, Tonkin A, O'Carroll-Fitzpatrick D, Pureveen J, Tegelaar E, Gieleciak R, Hager D, Petersen K, Tollefsen KE, Rowland SJ. Diaromatic sulphur-containing 'naphthenic' acids in process waters. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 51:206-215. [PMID: 24252453 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.10.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 10/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Polar organic compounds found in industrial process waters, particularly those originating from biodegraded petroleum residues, include 'naphthenic acids' (NA). Some NA have been shown to have acute toxicity to fish and also to produce sub-lethal effects. Whilst some of these toxic effects are produced by identifiable carboxylic acids, acids such as sulphur-containing acids, which have been detected, but not yet identified, may produce others. Therefore, in the present study, the sulphur-containing acids in oil sands process water were studied. A fraction (ca 12% by weight of the total NA containing ca 1.5% weight sulphur) was obtained by elution of methylated NA through an argentation solid phase extraction column with diethyl ether. This was examined by multidimensional comprehensive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCxGC-MS) in both nominal and high resolution mass accuracy modes and by GCxGC-sulphur chemiluminescence detection (GCxGC-SCD). Interpretation of the mass spectra and retention behaviour of methyl esters of several synthesised sulphur acids and the unknowns allowed delimitation of the structures, but not complete identification. Diaromatic sulphur-containing alkanoic acids were suggested. Computer modelling of the toxicities of some of the possible acids suggested they would have similar toxicities to one another and to dehydroabietic acid. However, the sulphur-rich fraction was not toxic or estrogenic to trout hepatocytes, suggesting the concentrations of sulphur acids in this sample were too low to produce any such effects in vitro. Further samples should probably be examined for these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E West
- 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
| | - Andrew Tonkin
- Petroleum and Environmental Geochemistry Group, Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Devon O'Carroll-Fitzpatrick
- Petroleum and Environmental Geochemistry Group, Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Jos Pureveen
- Shell Global Solutions International B V, Rock and Fluid Science, Kessler Park 1, 2288 GS Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Tegelaar
- Shell Global Solutions International B V, Rock and Fluid Science, Kessler Park 1, 2288 GS Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Rafal Gieleciak
- Canmet ENERGY, Natural Resources Canada, Devon, Alberta, Canada T9G 1A8; Institute of Chemistry, The University of Silesia, 9 Szkolna Street, 40-006 Katowice, Poland
| | - Darcy Hager
- Canmet ENERGY, Natural Resources Canada, Devon, Alberta, Canada T9G 1A8
| | - Karina Petersen
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, N-0349 OSLO, Norway
| | - Knut-Erik Tollefsen
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, N-0349 OSLO, Norway
| | - Steven J Rowland
- Petroleum and Environmental Geochemistry Group, Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK.
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Frank RA, Roy JW, Bickerton G, Rowland SJ, Headley JV, Scarlett AG, West CE, Peru KM, Parrott JL, Conly FM, Hewitt LM. Profiling oil sands mixtures from industrial developments and natural groundwaters for source identification. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:2660-70. [PMID: 24446583 DOI: 10.1021/es500131k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify chemical components that could distinguish chemical mixtures in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) that had potentially migrated to groundwater in the oil sands development area of northern Alberta, Canada. In the first part of the study, OSPW samples from two different tailings ponds and a broad range of natural groundwater samples were assessed with historically employed techniques as Level-1 analyses, including geochemistry, total concentrations of naphthenic acids (NAs) and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS). While these analyses did not allow for reliable source differentiation, they did identify samples containing significant concentrations of oil sands acid-extractable organics (AEOs). In applying Level-2 profiling analyses using electrospray ionization high resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS) and comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOF/MS) to samples containing appreciable AEO concentrations, differentiation of natural from OSPW sources was apparent through measurements of O2:O4 ion class ratios (ESI-HRMS) and diagnostic ions for two families of suspected monoaromatic acids (GC × GC-TOF/MS). The resemblance between the AEO profiles from OSPW and from 6 groundwater samples adjacent to two tailings ponds implies a common source, supporting the use of these complimentary analyses for source identification. These samples included two of upward flowing groundwater collected <1 m beneath the Athabasca River, suggesting OSPW-affected groundwater is reaching the river system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Frank
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7R 4A6
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Griffiths MT, Da Campo R, O’Connor PB, Barrow MP. Throwing Light on Petroleum: Simulated Exposure of Crude Oil to Sunlight and Characterization Using Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2013; 86:527-34. [DOI: 10.1021/ac4025335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T. Griffiths
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Raffaello Da Campo
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Peter B. O’Connor
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Mark P. Barrow
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
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48
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Knag AC, Sebire M, Mayer I, Meier S, Renner P, Katsiadaki I. In vivo endocrine effects of naphthenic acids in fish. CHEMOSPHERE 2013; 93:2356-2364. [PMID: 24034895 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2013] [Revised: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 08/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Oil pollution from various sources, including exploration, production and transportation, is a growing global concern. The highest toxicity of hydrocarbon pollutants is associated with the water-soluble phase compounds, including naphthenic acids, a known component found in all hydrocarbon deposits. Recently, naphthenic acids (NAs) have shown estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects in vitro. For this reason we investigated the potential effects of two commercial mixtures of naphthenic acids on fish in vivo, using the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) as a model species. Anti-androgenic and estrogenic properties of tested compounds were evaluated using the androgenized female stickleback screen (AFSS) and a variant of the 21-d fish screen (TG230) respectively. One-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that the complex commercial NAs mixtures were dominated by acyclic carboxylic acids. In one experiment (freshwater) we found a clear effect of NA exposure on spiggin levels; this was contrary to our hypothesis since NAs enhanced the androgenic potency of DHT (when co-administered) without inducing spiggin when tested in the absence of DHT. Exposure to NAs did not have a statistically significant effect on vitellogenin (Vtg) production in male stickleback, although the Vtg responses were increasing with increasing exposure concentrations. This study shows that in contrast to previous in vitro data, NAs did not exhibit either estrogenic or anti-androgenic properties in vivo, at the concentrations tested. On the contrary, at least in freshwater, NAs appear to have an overall androgenic effect that is not mediated via the androgen receptor involved in spiggin synthesis. Possible reasons for this discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo results as well as between our studies are discussed.
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Misiti TM, Tezel U, Tandukar M, Pavlostathis SG. Aerobic biotransformation potential of a commercial mixture of naphthenic acids. WATER RESEARCH 2013; 47:5520-5534. [PMID: 23863388 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2013] [Revised: 06/09/2013] [Accepted: 06/15/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The biotransformation potential of a commercial naphthenic acid (NA) mixture (NA sodium salt; TCI Chemicals) under aerobic conditions was investigated using mixed aerobic cultures developed under various levels and duration of NA exposure. A culture enriched using the commercial NA mixture as the sole carbon source degraded NAs in a range of NA concentrations, regardless of culture age and the presence of a co-substrate; however, only 28.5% of the NA-carbon was detected as CO2 while 44% was utilized for biomass growth. A fraction of the NA mixture (15-26%) was persistent under all conditions studied. In contrast, a culture fed with a degradable synthetic wastewater only (NA un-amended culture) and another culture fed with the same wastewater and 50 mg NA/L (NA-amended culture), over time lost their ability to degrade NAs. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene based clone library revealed that 80% of the NA-enriched culture belonged to the γ-Proteobacteria class and was largely dominated by phylotypes most closely related to known NA and hydrocarbon degraders such as Pseudomonas and Microbulbifer. The results of this study indicate that although significant NA degradation is possible, only a small fraction of the NA mixture is completely mineralized to CO2. Further investigation into the biotransformation products and conditions affecting NA biodegradation under realistic refinery and environmental conditions will help to design effective treatment and bioremediation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa M Misiti
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0512, USA
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50
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Toor NS, Han X, Franz E, MacKinnon MD, Martin JW, Liber K. Selective biodegradation of naphthenic acids and a probable link between mixture profiles and aquatic toxicity. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2013; 32:2207-2216. [PMID: 23733718 DOI: 10.1002/etc.2295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2012] [Revised: 01/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/24/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The toxicity of oil sands process-affected waters (OSPW) from the Athabasca Oil Sands (AOS) in northern Alberta, Canada, is related to a relatively persistent group of dissolved organic acids known as naphthenic acids (NAs). Naphthenic acids are a complex mixture of carboxylic acids, with a general formula C(n)H(2n+Z)O2, where n indicates the carbon number and Z specifies the number of rings in the molecule. The present study is the first to evaluate the potential for the selective biodegradation of NAs and the associated reduction in aquatic toxicity of 2 OSPWs, maintained under 2 different hydraulic retention times and increased nutrient availability (nitrate and phosphate), using flow-through laboratory wetland microcosms over a 52-wk test period. High-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometry analysis was used to track the changes in NA mixture profiles, or "fingerprints," in each treatment over time. Based on first-order degradation kinetics, more rapid degradation was observed for NAs that had lower carbon numbers and fewer degrees of cyclization (NA congeners with carbon numbers 11-16 and Z series -2 to -4; half-lives between 19 and 28 wk). Within the NA mixture fingerprints, the 2 most persistent groups of homologues were also identified (NAs with carbon numbers 17-20 and Z series -6 to -12; half-lives between 37 and 52 wk). The persistence of this group of NAs may aid in explaining the residual chronic toxicological response as measured by the Microtox bioassay (effective concentration for 20%), after the degradation of the more labile fractions of NA mixtures in OSPW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navdeep S Toor
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
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