کد مقاله | کد نشریه | سال انتشار | مقاله انگلیسی | نسخه تمام متن |
---|---|---|---|---|
6334112 | 1619819 | 2012 | 4 صفحه PDF | دانلود رایگان |
![عکس صفحه اول مقاله: Short CommunicationHas Alberta oil sands development increased far-field delivery of airborne contaminants to the Peace-Athabasca Delta? Short CommunicationHas Alberta oil sands development increased far-field delivery of airborne contaminants to the Peace-Athabasca Delta?](/preview/png/6334112.png)
Identifying potential regional contamination by Alberta oil sands industrial emissions on sensitive ecosystems like the Peace-Athabasca Delta, ~Â 200Â km to the north, requires knowledge of historical contaminant levels and trends. Here we provide some of these critically-needed data, based on analysis of metals in a sediment core from an upland precipitation-fed lake in the delta. The lake is well-situated to record the anthropogenic history of airborne contaminant deposition for this region. Sediment records of metals of concern (Pb, Sb, As, Hg) reflect early to mid-20th century increases in North American industrial emissions, followed by reduced emissions due to improved industrial practices after 1950-70. Notably, Pb, Sb, As and Hg have declined since the onset of Alberta oil sands production, belying concerns that this activity has enhanced far-field atmospheric delivery of these contaminants to the delta.
⺠Baseline information is needed to assess contamination by Alberta oil sands. ⺠Concerns center on the Peace-Athabasca Delta, 200 km to the north. ⺠We determined regional airborne metal deposition trends from lake sediments. ⺠Levels of Pb, As, Sb and Hg declined after onset of oil sands development. ⺠Oil sands emissions have not increased airborne metal contaminants in the delta.
Journal: Science of The Total Environment - Volume 433, 1 September 2012, Pages 379-382