Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen, sulfur and base cations in jack pine stands in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Alberta, Canada

Fenn, Mark E.; Bytnerowicz, Andrzej; Schilling, Susan; Ross, Christopher S.

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2014.08.023

Cited by 81 publications

(58 citation statements)

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“…The spatial relationships in TN and TP support both routes. Although the upstream nutrient load is not likely related to the oil sands, nutrient inputs between the locations of the water sampling may derive from atmospheric deposition of nitrogenous compounds emitted primarily from stacks and mine fleets (Fenn et al 2015;Lynam et al 2015;McLinden et al 2016). Total N deposition in the oil sands region estimated for current development is 165 eq/ha per year (Cho et al 2017) and may be associated with increased productivity in local waterbodies (Hazewinkel et al 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased size and relative abundance of migratory fishes observed near the Athabasca oil sands

Arciszewski

Munkittrick

Kilgour

et al. 2017

FACETS

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Responses to chemical and physical stressors are commonly expected among organisms residing near the Athabasca oil sands. Physiological effects have been observed in fishes during field studies; but further effects associated with development are not clear or consistent among species. For instance, data from a fish fence in 2009 show declines in the relative abundances of some species, including Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus). In contrast, increases were seen in white sucker (Catostomus commersoni). This divergence suggests incomplete understanding of the status of fishes residing near the oil sands. However, an important challenge limiting understanding is the lack of reliable baseline or reference data. To overcome this challenge, we used iterative normal ranges and a historical data set (electrofishing surveys done from 1987 to 2014) to determine if changes have occurred in fishes captured in the lower Athabasca River. These analyses revealed clear increases in the lengths of white sucker and walleye (Sander vitreus) and their relative abundances during the spawning season. The occurrence of these changes may be associated with overwintering location, but reduced fishing pressure in Lake Athabasca, eutrophication, or a cumulative effect may explain the form of changes detected in this study.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased size and relative abundance of migratory fishes observed near the Athabasca oil sands

Arciszewski

Munkittrick

Kilgour

et al. 2017

FACETS

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“…However, caution must be used when extrapolating our results to other reclamation sites which have not been fertilized as other nutrients or site limitations may be of more importance. Another confounding factor for N cycling on reclaimed sites may be atmospheric deposition which is many times the natural background levels in areas near major industrial installations [37], which is where most of the current and future reclamation areas are located.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal Trends of Ecosystem Development on Different Site Types in Reclaimed Boreal Forests

Pinno

Hawkes

2015

Forests

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Forest development after land reclamation in the oil sands mining region of northern Alberta, Canada was assessed using long-term monitoring plots from both reclaimed and natural forests. The metrics of ecosystem development analyzed included measures of plant community structure and composition and soil nutrient availability. Early seral reclamation plots were grouped by site type (dry and moist-rich) and age categories, and these were compared with mature natural forests. There were few significant differences in ecosystem metrics between reclamation site types, but natural stands showed numerous significant differences between site types. Over time, there were significant changes in most plant community metrics such as species richness and cover of plant community groups (e.g., forbs, shrubs, and non-native species), but these were still substantially different from mature forests 20 years after reclamation. Available soil nitrogen did not change over time or by reclamation site type but available soil phosphorus did, suggesting that phosphorus may be a more suitable indicator of ecosystem development. The significant temporal changes in these reclaimed ecosystems indicate that studies of ecosystem establishment and development on reclaimed areas should be conducted over the long-term, emphasizing the utility of monitoring using long-term plot networks. OPEN ACCESSForests 2015, 6 2110

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“…Ammonium deposition measured in the close vicinity of the mining sites (Ͻ3 km) varied between of 14.7 and 19.6 kg NH 4 ϩ ha Ϫ1 year Ϫ1 , whereas the nitrate depositions were lower, ranging between 2.1 and 6.7 kg NO 3 Ϫ ha Ϫ1 year Ϫ1 (7,41). These depositions were reduced to 0.81 kg NH 4 ϩ ha Ϫ1 year Ϫ1 and 0.27 kg NO 3 Ϫ ha Ϫ1 year Ϫ1 120 km away from the mining sites (41). Therefore, in the AOSR, nitrogen deposition represents a constant source of readily available N that seems to favor the growth of copiotrophic bacterial (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Estimated N deposition was positively correlated to the abundance Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria abundances in the studied soils. Historically low, throughfall N-deposition in the boreal forest of the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) are higher near mining sites and decrease to background level with distance (41,42). Ammonium deposition measured in the close vicinity of the mining sites (Ͻ3 km) varied between of 14.7 and 19.6 kg NH 4 ϩ ha Ϫ1 year Ϫ1 , whereas the nitrate depositions were lower, ranging between 2.1 and 6.7 kg NO 3 Ϫ ha Ϫ1 year Ϫ1 (7,41).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Historically low, throughfall N-deposition in the boreal forest of the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) are higher near mining sites and decrease to background level with distance (41,42). Ammonium deposition measured in the close vicinity of the mining sites (Ͻ3 km) varied between of 14.7 and 19.6 kg NH 4 ϩ ha Ϫ1 year Ϫ1 , whereas the nitrate depositions were lower, ranging between 2.1 and 6.7 kg NO 3 Ϫ ha Ϫ1 year Ϫ1 (7,41). These depositions were reduced to 0.81 kg NH 4 ϩ ha Ϫ1 year Ϫ1 and 0.27 kg NO 3 Ϫ ha Ϫ1 year Ϫ1 120 km away from the mining sites (41).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Plant Community and Nitrogen Deposition as Drivers of Alpha and Beta Diversities of Prokaryotes in Reconstructed Oil Sand Soils and Natural Boreal Forest Soils

Masse

Prescott

Renaut

et al. 2017

Appl Environ Microbiol

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The Athabasca oil sand deposit is one of the largest single oil deposits in the world. Following surface mining, companies are required to restore soil-like profiles that can support the previous land capabilities. The objective of this study was to assess whether the soil prokaryotic alpha diversity (␣-diversity) and ␤-diversity in oil sand soils reconstructed 20 to 30 years previously and planted to one of three vegetation types (coniferous or deciduous trees and grassland) were similar to those found in natural boreal forest soils subject to wildfire disturbance. Prokaryotic ␣-diversity and ␤-diversity were assessed using massively parallel sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. The ␤-diversity, but not the ␣-diversity, differed between reconstructed and natural soils. Bacteria associated with an oligotrophic lifestyle were more abundant in natural forest soils, whereas bacteria associated with a copiotrophic lifestyle were more abundant in reconstructed soils. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea were most abundant in reconstructed soils planted with grasses. Plant species were the main factor influencing ␣-diversity in natural and in reconstructed soils. Nitrogen deposition, pH, and plant species were the main factors influencing the ␤-diversity of the prokaryotic communities in natural and reconstructed soils. The results highlight the importance of nitrogen deposition and aboveground-belowground relationships in shaping soil microbial communities in natural and reconstructed soils. IMPORTANCE Covering over 800 km 2 , land disturbed by the exploitation of the oil sands in Canada has to be restored. Here, we take advantage of the proximity between these reconstructed ecosystems and the boreal forest surrounding the oil sand mining area to study soil microbial community structure and processes in both natural and nonnatural environments. By identifying key characteristics shaping the structure of soil microbial communities, this study improved our understanding of how vegetation, soil characteristics and microbial communities interact and drive soil functions.KEYWORDS biodiversity, boreal forest soil, microbial community, nitrogen deposition, oil sands, plant community, soil restoration, soil microbiology T he Athabasca oil sand deposit, located in the boreal forests of northern Alberta, is part of the largest single oil deposit in the world, with proven reserves of 166 billion barrels of bitumen and covering 142,200 km 2 (1). Most of the bituminous sands (80%) can be extracted using in situ recovery methods (i.e., steam injection wells), but 20% of

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Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen, sulfur and base cations in jack pine stands in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Alberta, Canada

Cited by 81 publications

References 50 publications

Increased size and relative abundance of migratory fishes observed near the Athabasca oil sands

Increased size and relative abundance of migratory fishes observed near the Athabasca oil sands

Temporal Trends of Ecosystem Development on Different Site Types in Reclaimed Boreal Forests

Plant Community and Nitrogen Deposition as Drivers of Alpha and Beta Diversities of Prokaryotes in Reconstructed Oil Sand Soils and Natural Boreal Forest Soils

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