Title: Long-term monitoring of peatlands located near oil sands mining activities surrounding Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada (2009-2019)
Citation: Wieder, R.K., M.A. Vile, K.D. Scott, C.M. Albright, D.H. Vitt, K.J. McMillen, C. Herron, H.A. Fillingim, J.C. Quinn, and B. Xu. 2022. Long-term monitoring of peatlands located near oil sands mining activities surrounding Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada (2009-Present) ver 4. Environmental Data Initiative. https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/27e95a6ddbb212547b462399c0d4f7f3
Study Site: Fort McMurray region, Alberta
Purpose: Oil sands mining activities in the Fort McMurray region of Alberta, Canada, have led to increased atmospherically deposited nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S), with N steadily increasing over time and S peaking in 2009, then decreasing with the installation of scrubbers on upgrader stacks. Ecosystems (such as ombrotrophic bogs) near these mining activities see an increase to their depositional load. These peatlands are isolated from groundwater and receive inputs only from precipitation, making them uniquely susceptible to changing depositional scenarios.
Abstract: To evaluate the effect of oil sands development on bogs in this area, since 2009, we have collected and analyzed porewater (pH, conductivity, NH 4 + -N, NO 3 - -N, SO 4 2- -S, and total dissolved N), N and S as represented in extractions of ion exchange resin precipitation collectors (NH 4 + -N, NO 3 - -N, SO 4 2- -S), samples of new growth from the most dominant plant species (C, N, and S, with Ca, Mg, K, and P analyzed in later years), and have recorded annual growth of vegetation. For a majority of the years, we have sampled at least 3 times (June, July, and August). Some sites have burned and have been replaced by others, however, collections are on-going and data from these collections are uploaded as they are published.
Supplemental Information Summary:
Research:
Further Info: Wieder, R.K., Vile, M.A., Scott, K.D. et al. Bog plant/lichen tissue nitrogen and sulfur concentrations as indicators of emissions from oil sands development in Alberta, Canada. Environ Monit Assess 193, 208 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-08929-y
Wieder, R.K., Vile, M.A., Scott, K.D. et al. Is bog water chemistry affected by increasing N and S deposition from oil sands development in Northern Alberta, Canada?. Environ Monit Assess 193, 766 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09555-4
R. Kelman Wieder, Melanie A. Vile, Dale H. Vitt, Kimberli D. Scott, Bin Xu, James C. Quinn, Cara M. Albright, Can plant or lichen natural abundance 15N ratios indicate the influence of oil sands N emissions on bogs?, Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, Volume 40, 2022, 101030,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2022.101030.
R. Kelman Wieder, Kimberli D. Scott, Melanie A. Vile, Caitlyn Herron, Are bog plant/lichen tissue concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, and P affected by fugitive dust released from oil sands development in the Fort McMurray region of Alberta?, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 849, 2022, 157684, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157684
Wieder, R.K. Element stoichiometry and nutrient limitation in bog plant and lichen species. Biogeochemistry 160, 355–379 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-022-00968-y
Status: Complete
Keywords:
vegetation,
effects of disturbance,
Bog,
Oil and gas,
Nitrogen,
Geographical coordinates: North: 57.2746741014888, South: 55.985300216109565 East: -111.04283053733893 West: -115.18703200113546
Bounding Temporal Extent: Start Date: 2009-05-23, End
Date: 2019-10-01
