Sulfur biogeochemistry of syncrude untreated composite tailings and those undergoing restoration

辛克鲁德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，在尾矿库管理方面面临着许多重大挑战。麦克默里堡油砂周围地区的空气排放监测仪发现，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进行复垦的尾矿区。最近，由于与硫化氢排放相关的安全风险，辛克鲁德的米尔德里德湖地产上的一口降水井被关闭。其他可能更大规模的硫化氢排放在未来也是可能的。拟议研究的目标是为辛克鲁德更有效地管理其复合尾矿(CT)废物提供必要的基于科学的硫动力学了解。拟议的与辛克鲁德合作的为期三年的现场和实验室合作研究项目的目标是：(1)确定复合尾矿(CT)中的微生物活动是否与硫化氢气体(H_2Sg)的生成有关，以及(2)评估与辛克鲁德的第一个FEN恢复项目相关的复合尾矿(CT)硫的生物地球化学演变，从而了解尾矿恢复的任何潜在的积极或消极的地球化学影响。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硫生物地球化学，以(1)确定CT沉积的异质性和(2)确定在FEN创建下的CT演化。拟议的研究结果将使Syncrate对其尾矿有新的了解，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。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培训16名总部基地人员从事尖端环境科学研究，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生物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.