Assessing the Effectiveness of Stable Isotope Approaches for Tracing the Fate of N and S Emissions from Oilsand Operations in Surrounding Terrestrial and Aquatic Evironments

人们越来越关注阿尔伯塔油砂工业对环境的影响，包括所有目前正在运营的油砂项目的氮和硫排放对周围陆地和水生环境的累积影响。这种影响的量化评估将受益于区分自然和人为N和S对环境的贡献的能力。该项目将确定（a）工业排放物、（B）大气沉积物和（c）各种环境受体（包括地衣、植物叶子、土壤和地表水）中N和S化合物的稳定同位素组成，这些受体来自麦克默里堡周围阿萨巴斯卡油砂区距离主要排放源不同的许多地点。所获得的结果将揭示在何种程度上可以使用从油砂业务排放的N和S化合物的稳定同位素比，与化学分析相结合，以跟踪周围陆地和水生环境中的工业排放物的命运。该项目将为评估阿萨巴斯卡油砂地区工业N和S排放的环境足迹做出重大创新贡献，并制定长期监测N和S排放的战略。这将有助于向加拿大人和世界各地的消费者表明，阿尔伯塔东北部阿萨巴斯卡油砂地区的工业经营者是认真的，以科学可测试的方式评估其N和S排放的环境影响，从而表明他们对环境管理的承诺。因此，该项目将为可持续开发阿尔伯塔蕴藏在阿萨巴斯卡油砂中的巨大能源储备做出重要贡献，同时为维护健康的环境做出贡献。改善阿尔伯塔油砂工业的环境记录将使所有加拿大人受益，确保可持续的能源供应，同时保护环境。

There are increasing concerns regarding the environmental impact of Alberta's oilsands industry, including the cumulative impact of the N and S emissions from all currently operational oilsand projects on the surrounding terrestrial and aquatic environment. A quantifiable assessment of this impact would benefit from the ability to differentiate between natural and anthropogenic N and S contributions to the environment. This project will determine the stable isotope compositions of N and S compounds in (a) industrial emissions, (b) atmospheric deposition, and (c) various environmental receptors including lichens, plant foliage, soils and surface water obtained from numerous sites located at various distances from the major emission sources in the Athabasca oilsands region around Fort McMurray. The obtained results will reveal to which extent stable isotope ratios of N and S compounds emitted from the oilsands operations can be used, in concert with chemical analyses, to trace the fate of industrial emissions in the surrounding terrestrial and aquatic environment. The project will make a major innovative contribution to assessing the environmental footprint of industrial N and S emission from the Athabasca oilsands region and devise strategies for long-term monitoring of N and S emissions. This will help to demonstrate to Canadians and consumers world-wide that industrial operators in the Athabasca oilsands region of northeastern Alberta are serious about assessing the environmental impact of their N and S emissions in a scientifically testable manner thereby demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship. Therefore, this project will make an essential contribution to a sustainable exploitation of Alberta's vast energy reserves locked up in the Athabasca oilsands, while making a contribution towards maintaining a healthy environment. An improved environmental record of Alberta's oilsands industry will benefit all Canadians by ensuring sustainable energy supplies while protecting the environment.