Sulfur biogeochemistry of syncrude untreated composite tailings and those undergoing restoration

Syncrude是世界上最大的油砂合成原油生产商，也是加拿大最大的单一来源，面临着与尾矿池管理有关的一系列重大挑战。麦克默里堡油砂周围地区的空气排放监测器发现，包括硫化氢（H2S）在内的硫基污染物稳步增加。 这些排放来自目前正在开垦的尾矿区。最近，由于与硫化氢释放相关的安全风险，Syncrude的米尔德里德湖财产上的一口脱水井被关闭。其他的，潜在的更大规模的H2S释放在未来是可能的。拟议研究的目标是为Syncrude提供必要的基于科学的硫动力学理解，以更有效地管理其复合尾矿（CT）废物。与Syncrude合作的拟议三年期实地和实验室合作研究项目的目标是：（1）确定复合尾矿（CT）内发生的微生物活动是否与硫化氢气体（H2Sg）的产生有关，以及（2）评估与Syncrude的第一个沼泽恢复项目相关的CT硫地球化学演变，提供了任何潜在的积极或消极的地球化学影响尾矿恢复的理解。 拟议的研究将在三年的时间框架内进行，以在足够的空间和时间尺度上评估CT硫地球化学，以（1）建立CT存款异质性和（2）确定在沼泽创建下的CT演变。拟议研究的结果将使Syncrude对其尾矿有新的了解，这将使该公司能够制定战略，根据第74号指令更有效地管理其尾矿中的硫。 它将通过改善油砂尾矿的环境管理，提高油砂活动的可持续性以及对16名HQP进行前沿环境科学研究的培训，使加拿大受益。这些HQP将发展加拿大油砂未来所需的尾矿勘探和地球化学管理方面的关键技能和经验。

Syncrude, ranked as the world's largest producer of synthetic crude from oil sands and the biggest single source in Canada, faces a number of significant challenges associated with management of its tailings ponds. Air emissions monitors in the area around the Fort McMurray oil sands have identified a steady increase in sulphur-based pollutants, including hydrogen sulfide (H2S). These emissions occur from tailings areas currently under reclamation. Recently, a dewatering well was shutdown on Syncrude's Mildred Lake property due to safety risks associated with H2S releases. Other, potentially larger scale H2S releases are possible in the future. The goal of the proposed research is to provide the necessary science-based understanding of sulphur dynamics for Syncrude to manage its composite tailings (CT) waste more effectively. The objectives of the proposed three-year field and laboratory collaborative research project in partnership with Syncrude are to: (1) identify if microbial activity occurring within composite tailings (CT) is linked to the generation of hydrogen sulphide gas, (H2Sg), and (2) assess CT sulphur biogeochemical evolution associated with Syncrude's first fen restoration project, providing an understanding of any potential positive or negative geochemical implications for tailings restoration. The proposed research will be carried out over a three-year time frame to assess CT sulphur biogeochemistry over sufficient spatial and temporal scales to (1) establish CT deposit heterogeneity and (2) identify CT evolution under fen creation. The results of the proposed research will provide Syncrude with new understanding of their tailings that will enable the company to develop strategies to manage its tailings more effectively with respect to sulphur in accordance with Directive 74. It will benefit Canada through improved environmental management of oil sands tailings, increased sustainability of oil sands activities and the training of 16 HQP in leading edge environmental science research. These HQP will develop the critical skills and experience in tailings exploration and biogeochemical management that will be needed for the future of the oil sands in Canada.