Monitoring water quality in Alberta oil sands

Observations and data evaluating pollutants in the waters of the Athabasca River system and their effects on downstream areas.

Surface water quality

Monitoring surface water quality in the oil sands region.

• Mainstem water quality
• Tributary water quality
• Expanded geographic extent
• Passive sampling
• Groundwater quality
• Contaminant source identification

Surface water quantity

• Hydrometric monitoring
• Climate and hydrology

Sediment

• Sediment quality mainstem and tributaries
• Mainstem bathymetry
• Sediment core paleo-analyses

Benthic invertebrates

Monitoring benthic invertebrates in the oil sands region.  

• Mainstem benthic invertebrates
• Tributary benthic invertebrates
• Deltaic ecosystem health

Snow and wet precipitation

• Snow
• Wet precipitation

Fish health, toxicology and contaminants

Monitoring fish health, toxicology and contaminants in the oil sands region.  

• Wild fish health
• Wild fish communities
• Fish toxicology
• Riverine in-situ bioassays
• Lake health (fish/invertebrates)

Acid-sensitive lakes

Monitoring acid-sensitive lakes in the oil sands region.