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

评估稳定同位素方法追踪周围陆地和水生环境油砂作业中氮和硫排放去向的有效性

• 批准号: 372151-2008
• 负责人: Mayer, Bernhard
• 金额: $ 7.21万
• 依托单位: University of Calgary
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2010-01-01 至 2011-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=461540
• 关键词: Assessing; Effectiveness; Stable; Isotope; Approaches

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.

人们越来越关注阿尔伯塔省油砂行业对环境的影响，包括目前所有运营的油砂项目对周围陆地和水生环境的氮和硫排放的累积影响。能够区分自然的和人为的对环境的氮和硫的贡献，将有利于对这种影响进行可量化的评估。该项目将确定(a)工业排放、(b)大气沉积和(c)各种环境受体（包括地衣、植物叶片、土壤和地表水）中N和S化合物的稳定同位素组成，这些环境受体来自位于麦克默里堡周围阿萨巴斯卡油砂地区主要排放源不同距离的众多地点。获得的结果将揭示油砂作业排放的N和S化合物的稳定同位素比率可以在多大程度上与化学分析相结合，用于追踪周围陆地和水生环境中工业排放的命运。该项目将为评估阿萨巴斯卡油砂地区工业氮和硫排放的环境足迹和制定长期监测氮和硫排放的战略作出重大创新贡献。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运营商认真对待以科学可测试的方式评估其氮和硫排放对环境的影响，从而表明他们对环境管理的承诺。因此，该项目将对阿尔伯塔省阿萨巴斯卡油砂中大量能源储备的可持续开发作出重要贡献，同时为维护健康的环境作出贡献。阿尔伯塔省油砂工业环境记录的改善将通过在保护环境的同时确保可持续能源供应，使所有加拿大人受益。