Assessment of the importance of nitrogen deposition and climate on aquatic production in Boreal lakes downwind of the Athabasca oil sands region

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The growing pace of forestry, oil and gas, and mining developments in the boreal region of Saskatchewan could alter the ecological balance in this region with numerous potential environmental impacts to the surrounding land and water. In particular, as the industrial footprint of the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) in Alberta continues to expand, emissions of pollutants will continue to increase, with potentially detrimental impacts (e.g. acidification, nutrient loading) on the lakes, rivers and wetlands downwind of this development. An emerging issue that has not been addressed is whether recent increases in lake production in regions adjacent to and downwind of the AOSR are linked to emissions of nitrogen or changing climatic conditions. In this proposal, we use an innovative study design and a paleoecological approach, using multiple indicators, that will determine the extent (if any) that AOSR emissions have resulted in nutrient enrichment of boreal lakes. Paleolimnology is an interdisciplinary science that examines the physical, chemical and biological remains preserved in lake sediments to provide evidence of how aquatic ecosystems have changed over time. We propose to examine aquatic organisms (algae and zooplankton) and isotopes of nitrogen and carbon preserved in lake sediment records in regions within and outside of the AOSR emissions plume that are all within a region experiencing similar changes in climate. Our analysis of indicators of production in lakes will provide a sound basis from which to determine the impacts of both emissions from the AOSR and climate. This project will employ techniques addressing the cumulative effects of various stressors and their potential interactions, and will result in the development of new approaches to assess the health of boreal lakes. Finally, answers to the important questions posed, will provide a solid basis for the development (or lack thereof) of regulation and policies of emission standards to protect aquatic ecosystems in the boreal region of Saskatchewan, with implications to the wider context of boreal region across Canada.