Land Management Resources

A literature review and evaluation of methods used to determine rates of bacterial uptake (heterotrophic assimilation) of organic substrates in fresh water systems was undertaken

Describe how water and sediment from the Athabasca River are distributed through the delta system and how they circulate and mix in Lake Athabasca and flow through to the Slave River (re contaminants)

Runoff from within the study area contributes less than 10% of the average flow in the Athabasca River at the northern boundary of the study area. Snowfall constitutes about 30% of precipitation

A fog study was implemented during 1977-1978 to provide more detailed observations of fog occurrences, especially during the winter when the possibility of ice fog exists

The amounts of sulphate and nitrate deposited in the snow within 25 km of the oil sands plants have increased by 88 and 27% respectively, since the previous study in 1978

Summary of the meteorological data collected by the meteorological tower network in the Gregoire Lake region of northeast Alberta during the spring and summer of 1979 to monitor impact of Amoco plant

A three-year inventory of selected rare, endangered and sensitive bird species in the Athabasca Oil Sands area was completed in the late summer of 1977. Aerial and ground surveys were conducted

Imagery from both meteorological and environmental satellite sensor systems was analyzed to determine its applicability in monitoring weather conditions at the Alberta oil sands.

Growth of grasses and legumes in tailings sand, and the effect of adding materials such as peat and glacial till to tailings sand, were studied using lysimeters both indoors and in the field.

An aquatic biomonitoring program must be implemented to ensure that measures taken to protect the water systems are working, so that improvements may be made if need be.