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油砂来源，该公司在尾矿池管理方面面临着许多重大挑战。Fort McMurray油砂周围地区的空气排放监测仪发现，硫化氢（H2S）等含硫污染物持续增加。这些排放物来自目前正在开垦的尾矿区。最近，由于与H2S释放相关的安全风险，Syncrude公司的Mildred Lake油田的一口脱水井被关闭。在未来，可能会有其他更大规模的H2S释放。本研究的目的是为辛克鲁德公司更有效地管理其复合尾矿废物提供必要的基于科学的硫动力学知识。与辛克鲁德公司合作开展的为期三年的实地和实验室合作研究项目的目标是：(1)确定复合尾矿（CT）中发生的微生物活动是否与硫化氢气体（H2Sg）的产生有关；(2)评估与辛克鲁德公司第一个fen恢复项目相关的CT硫生物地球化学演化，了解尾矿恢复的任何潜在的积极或消极的地球化学影响。该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沉积物的非均质性；(2)确定岩石形成下CT的演化。拟议的研究结果将使辛克鲁德公司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方面的培训，使加拿大受益。这些HQP将发展尾矿勘探和生物地球化学管理方面的关键技能和经验，这将是加拿大未来油砂所需要的。

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.