Biological Effects and Baseline Measures of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Freshwater Fish of the Athabasca Oil Sands Region

Abstract

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) is understudied in the Alberta Oil Sands Region. Elevated NORM levels reduce growth, fertility, and life expectancy in wildlife, negatively impacting the ecosystem. This study examines NORM in fish of the AOSR, including its (1) composition and concentration, (2) relationship to other contaminants in the AOSR, and (3) biological effects on wildlife. Gamma spectrometric analysis was used to measure NORM activity in northern pike (Esox lucius) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), collected from the Gardiner Lakes and Peace-Athabasca Delta. Activity concentrations of NORM isotopes were measured. Activity concentrations of isotopes originating from the 232 Th and 238 U decay series were present in freshwater fish in the AOSR. Concentrations of 232 Th and 238 U decay series isotopes were found to be higher downstream of the AOSR in the PAD. This study contributes to the broader scientific understanding of NORM and can inform effective management and remediation strategies to address contamination issues in the oil sands industry.