Origin and geochemistry of saline spring waters in the Athabasca oil sands region, Alberta, Canada

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dc.contributor.authorGue, Anita E.
dc.contributor.authorMayer, Bernhard
dc.contributor.authorGrasby, Stephen E.
dc.date.accessioned2023-03-01T22:27:17Z
dc.date.available2023-03-01T22:27:17Z
dc.date.issued2015-10-01
dc.description.abstractThe geochemistry of saline spring waters in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) in Alberta (Canada) discharging from Devonian carbonate rocks into the Athabasca and Clearwater rivers was characterized for major ions, trace elements, dissolved gases, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In addition, stable isotope analyses of H2O, SO4, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), Sr, and CH4 were used to trace the sources of spring waters and their dissolved solutes, and to identify subsurface processes affecting water chemistry. The spring waters had δ18O values as low as −23.5‰, suggesting they are composed of up to 75% Laurentide glacial meltwater. Tritium and radiocarbon age-dating results, analyzed for three spring waters, supported a glacial origin. The high salinity of the spring waters (TDS 7210–51,800mg/L) was due to dissolution of Devonian evaporite and carbonate deposits in the subsurface. Spring waters were affected by bacterial (dissimilatory) sulfate reduction, methanogenesis, and methane oxidation. Trace elements were present in spring waters at varying concentrations, with only one spring containing several predominant oil sands metals (As, Fe, Mo, Ni, Se, Zn) suggesting bitumen as a source. Five springs contained elements (Al, As, B, Fe, Se) at concentrations exceeding water quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. Seven PAHs were detected in spring waters (total PAH concentrations ranged from 7.3 to 273.6ng/L), but most springs contained a maximum of two PAHs (phenanthrene and naphthalene), with more PAHs being detected in springs along the Athabasca River. This geochemical characterization of the saline groundwater discharging from the Devonian carbonates underlying oil sands deposits contributes to the knowledge of baseline groundwater chemistry in the AOSR, which is of importance in the delineation of natural versus anthropogenic effects on regional surface water and groundwater quality.en_US
dc.identifier.citationGue, A. E., Mayer, B., & Grasby, S. E. (2015). Origin and geochemistry of saline spring waters in the Athabasca oil sands region, Alberta, Canada. Applied Geochemistry, 61, 132–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2015.05.015en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2015.05.015en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/115893
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/46078
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisherElsevieren_US
dc.publisher.facultyScienceen_US
dc.publisher.hasversionacceptedVersionen_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen_US
dc.publisher.policyhttps://www.elsevier.com/journals/applied-geochemistry/0883-2927/open-access-optionsen_US
dc.rightsUnless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.titleOrigin and geochemistry of saline spring waters in the Athabasca oil sands region, Alberta, Canadaen_US
dc.typejournal articleen_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopyfalseen_US
ucalgary.scholar.levelFacultyen_US
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