GLOBE-Net, November 2, 2011 - Researchers at McMaster University recently received nearly $2.2 million to examine important environmental processes in Alberta's oil sands, which could help speed up Syncrude's land reclamation process.

The project team, led by Dr. Lesley Warren, a professor in the School of Geography & Earth Sciences at McMaster, was recruited by Syncrude to investigate bacterial sulphur reactions occurring in its composite tailings. Composite tailings are the by-product of the oil sand extraction process. They are high in alkalinity and salinity, and extremely low in organic matter.

Syncrude will invest more than $1.14 million over the three-year research project, with an additional $1.05 million from a Collaborative Research & Development grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).

"We are examining the biogeochemistry of the composite tailings, or more specifically, the role of bacteria in sulphur cycling," explains Dr. Warren. "The sulphur reactions occurring in the deposits cannot be explained solely by chemical reactions, so we need to understand the whole process better and determine how bacteria are driving the reactions."

"Our work is really fundamental and in a brand new area for the oil sands," Dr. Warren told GLOBE-Net. "The goal is to provide Syncrude with fundamental new scientific understanding that will aid them in the development of the most environmentally sustainable approaches to reclamation," she added.

Bacteria that are found in all food chains and are an important part of nutrient cycling are also active in  Syncrude'sdeposit. It is important to the organization  to understand the bacteria and natural processes that are occurring in  the deposit.   

The researchers will take samples from the groundwater at various levels as well as sediment samples. Bacteria live on the sand and clay particles so the sediment samples will identify the bacteria present in the deposit.  The water samples will show how the bacteria are changing the water chemistry. They will also demonstrate how the food chain is working and how everything is interacting.

The research is critical because Syncrude is in the process of creating a pilot 17-hectare fen wetland, as well as a 50-hectare watershed, as part of oil sands reclamation in a former mining area. The pilot fen will be established by placing peat, as well as plant and tree material recovered from future mining areas, over composite tailings and sand.

Syncrude is constructing the wetland in the north end of its former east mine that began to be mined in 1978. Mining operations in the east mine ceased in 2000. It took about 10 years to fill back in the mine pit with tailings sand and composite tailings material (clay particles material mixed with gypsum and tailings sand). 

"Syncrude is committed to responsible development and that includes continuous improvement in our environmental performance," said Brian Schleckser, Syncrude's vice president of technical. "This research will provide vital information needed to effectively reclaim our former mine into a productive and healthy wetland that supports natural processes."

Syncrude approached McMaster because of Dr. Warren's expertise in microbiology and geochemistry in mining/industrial environments. Also, her lab has experience and is set up for state-of-the art work in these type of experiments (microbiology and geochemistry).

The research team will also include Brian McCarry, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry; Greg Slater, associate professor in the School of Geography & Earth Sciences; and up to 16 graduate and undergraduate students, post-doctoral fellows and research technicians.

"This collaborative research project exemplifies the value of research partnerships between industry and academia," said NSERC president Suzanne Fortier. "Dr. Warren's fundamental research addresses a major challenge faced by Canadian oil sands operators, while also benefiting students who will be working on a project that is highly relevant to industry."

At GLOBE 2012,taking place March 14-16, 2012, Experts from government and the private sector will explore how companies are working to instill sustainability into their operations to benefit the environment, their employees, and the communities in which they operate. Get More information on GLOBE 2012 here