The physical limnology of Base Mine Lake

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The Base Mine Lake program undertaken by Syncrude Canada Ltd. (SCL) is the first commercial-scale demonstration in the oil sands industry of the placement of oil sand fluid fine tailings in a mined out pit, and the capping of these tailings with water to form an end pit lake. As the tailings dewater and settle, the depth of the lake will gradually increase from an initial depth of about 8 meters.We propose a joint research project with SCL to understand the physical dynamics of the water in end pit lakes. We will examine processes such as ice formation and thawing, stratification, internal waves, and fall turnover. Our goal is to understand how these impact the settling and re-suspension of fine tailings at the bottom of the lake, the turbidity and penetration of light into the lake, and the transport of dissolved oxygen. We will also examine how the lake is affected by warm saline pore water released from the fluid fine tailings (mud) as it settles. We propose using field observations from Base Mine Lake, semi-analytical and numerical models, and laboratory experiments to characterize physical processes such as circulation, transport and re-suspension. We will collaborate with SCL and other researchers examining the chemical and biological evolution of both the lake water and the muddy lake bottom of fluid fine tailings.Our proposed work will benefit the Canadian oil sands industry by providing important information required for successful incorporation of such lakes into the reclaimed closure landscape. This work will be of socio-economic benefit to Canada by contributing to better understanding and management of not only end pit lakes, but also other man-made and natural water bodies.