A Study of Aquatic Environments in the Syncrude Development Area, 1984

Resource Type
Authors
R.L. & L. Environmental Services Ltd.
A.A. Aquatic Research Ltd.
Resource Date:
1985
Page Length
361

Syncrude Canada Ltd., which has operated an oil sands extraction plant at Mildred Lake since 1978, has undertaken various environmental studies associated with the development since 1971. The purpose of the 1984 investigation, which involved a multi-disciplinary study team, was to characterize and re-define aquatic habitats and resources in the Syncrude development area. In general, the results of the study indicate that the aquatic habitat, water quality, flora, and fauna of the aquatic systems in the development area are typical of those found in the oil sands region of Alberta. The present study entailed seasonal sampling of the following environmental components: water quality, stream flow, aquatic habitat, and aquatic biota (phytoplankton, zooplankton, zoobenthos, macrophytes, and fish). The three major sampling periods (selected by Syncrude Canada Ltd.) were early June, summer (late July to early August), and early fall (late September to early October).