Alternate approaches for assessing impacts of oil sands development on air quality: A case study using the First Nation Community of Fort McKay

Davidson, Carla J; Spink, David C.

doi:10.1080/10962247.2017.1377648

Cited by 20 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(45 reference statements)

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“…Associated with oil sands development is the release of gaseous N and S compounds into the atmosphere, both from upgrader stacks and diesel fuel–powered mine fleets (Davidson & Spink, 2018 ). Over the past 20 years, N emissions from oil sands operations have steadily increased, while S emissions peaked in 2009 and have been declining since (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bog plant/lichen tissue nitrogen and sulfur concentrations as indicators of emissions from oil sands development in Alberta, Canada

Wieder

Vile

Scott

et al. 2021

Environ Monit Assess

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Increasing gaseous emissions of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) associated with oil sands development in northern Alberta (Canada) has led to changing regional wet and dry N and S deposition regimes. We assessed the potential for using bog plant/lichen tissue chemistry (N and S concentrations, C:N and C:S ratios, in 10 plant/lichen species) to monitor changing atmospheric N and S deposition through sampling at five bog sites, 3–6 times per growing season from 2009 to 2016. During this 8-year period, oil sands N emissions steadily increased, while S emissions steadily decreased. We examined the following: (1) whether each species showed changes in tissue chemistry with increasing distance from the Syncrude and Suncor upgrader stacks (the two largest point sources of N and S emissions); (2) whether tissue chemistry changed over the 8 year period in ways that were consistent with increasing N and decreasing S emissions from oil sands facilities; and (3) whether tissue chemistry was correlated with growing season wet deposition of NH4+-N, NO3−-N, or SO42−-S. Based on these criteria, the best biomonitors of a changing N deposition regime were Evernia mesomorpha, Sphagnum fuscum, and Vaccinium oxycoccos. The best biomonitors of a changing S deposition regime were Evernia mesomorpha, Cladonia mitis, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Vaccinium oxycoccos, and Picea mariana. Changing N and S deposition regimes in the oil sands region appear to be influencing N and S cycling in what once were pristine ombrotrophic bogs, to the extent that these bogs may effectively monitor future spatial and temporal patterns of deposition.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bog plant/lichen tissue nitrogen and sulfur concentrations as indicators of emissions from oil sands development in Alberta, Canada

Wieder

Vile

Scott

et al. 2021

Environ Monit Assess

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“…Since 2010, the intensity of interest has increased across multiple stakeholders, particularly as multiple program reviews criticized the then-existing monitoring approach, highlighting the need for greater attention from industry and the federal and provincial governments (e.g., AEMP, 2011;Gosselin et al, 2010). Soon after, several large-scale monitoring initiatives were launched, including the joint Canada and Alberta Governments' Oil Sands Monitoring Program (OSM;Dubé et al, 2021;Environment Canada, 2011), efforts by OS companies to collaboratively address collective issues (COSIA, 2012), government policy development and implementation such as the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP; Government of Alberta, 2012), the raising of concerns and sponsoring of research by neighboring Indigenous communities (e.g., Candler et al, 2010;Davidson & Spink, 2018), the development of Indigenous communitybased monitoring (ICBM) programs (Beausoleil et al, 2021), as well as focused research that has been both industryfunded (e.g., Hall et al, 2012;Shotyk et al, 2014) and independently funded (e.g., Kelly et al, 2009;Timoney & Lee, 2009). The result of this investment has been hundreds of published papers, datasets, reports, and other media-much from the past decade-examining potential environmental impacts of the OS industry, but few consolidated outputs.…”

Section: Integrated Environmental Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

An integrated knowledge synthesis of regional ambient monitoring in Canada's oil sands

Roberts

Hazewinkel

Arciszewski

et al. 2021

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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This article is part of the special series "A Decade of Research and Monitoring in the Oil Sands Region of Alberta, Canada." The series documents the history of monitoring in the region and critically reviews a synthesis of monitoring results published within key environmental theme areas to identify patterns of consistent responses or effects; significant gaps in knowledge; and recommendations for improved monitoring, assessment, and management of the region.

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“…A number of studies have examined elements of indoor air pollution in Native American homes, including wood-burning stoves (37), tobacco smoke (38), and outdoor air contamination from nearby anthropogenic sources (e.g., oil/gas extraction, mining, nearby industry) (39,40). However, the literature is limited to the specific exposures, and particular challenges, of a small number of tribes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor Air Quality Issues for Rocky Mountain West Tribes

Webb

Sleeth

Handy

et al. 2021

Front. Public Health

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Native American populations face considerable health disparities, especially among those who live on reservations, where access to healthcare, education, and safe housing can be limited. Previous research on tribal housing has raised concerns about housing construction, damage, and possible linkage to adverse health effects (e.g., asthma). This community-based participatory research (CBPR) project investigated indoor air quality issues on two Rocky Mountain west reservations. At the onset of the project, the research team formed a partnership with community advisory boards (CABs) consisting of representatives from tribal councils and community members. Research design, implementation, and dissemination all took place in full collaboration with the CABs following approval through official tribal resolutions. Residential homes were monitored for particulate matter with diameter <2.5 microns (PM2.5) and radon concentrations. Low-cost air quality sensors and activated charcoal radon test kits were placed in tribal households for 6-8 days. A large amount of data were below the sensor limit of quantification (LOQ), but several homes had daily averages that exceeded suggested PM2.5 guidelines, suggestive of the potential for high exposure. Additionally, nearly half of all homes sampled had radon levels above the EPA action level, with mitigation activities initiated for the most concerning homes. Findings from this study indicate the need for future community-wide assessments to determine the magnitude and patterns of indoor air quality issues.

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Alternate approaches for assessing impacts of oil sands development on air quality: A case study using the First Nation Community of Fort McKay

Cited by 20 publications

References 40 publications

Bog plant/lichen tissue nitrogen and sulfur concentrations as indicators of emissions from oil sands development in Alberta, Canada

Bog plant/lichen tissue nitrogen and sulfur concentrations as indicators of emissions from oil sands development in Alberta, Canada

An integrated knowledge synthesis of regional ambient monitoring in Canada's oil sands

Indoor Air Quality Issues for Rocky Mountain West Tribes

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