Research article summary (published 30 Jul 2009):

Modeling soil acidification in the Athabasca Oil Sands region, Alberta, Canada.

Full Abstract

Industrial activities have proliferated across Canada's Athabasca Oil Sands Region in recent years, stimulating concerns over the impact of atmospheric sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions on acid-sensitive terrain. Upland jack pine forests have been identified as possibly the most sensitive ecosystem in the region but despite high emissions of SO2, sulfur (S) deposition is relatively low across much of the region. The response of forest soils at 11 locations that exhibit low estimated weathering rates (< 10 mmol(c) x m(-2) x yr(-1)) was simulated for the period 1900-2100 using a dynamic hydrogeochemical model assuming no change or doubling of S deposition. The model predicted minimal impact on soil base saturation (BS), but a decline in soil solution base cation (BC) to aluminum (Al) ratio (BC:Al). The regional effects-based emissions management framework uses modeled changes in these two parameters relative to site-specific chemical thresholds to trigger actions to reduce S emissions. Modeled changes in BS are insufficient to invoke a response. Under base case conditions, modeled BC:Al reaches the chemical threshold at two and three sites within 15 and 30 years, respectively. Under conditions of double S deposition, seven sites are simulated to reach the threshold within 30 years. Nonetheless, the chemical thresholds are stringent relative to critical chemical criteria used elsewhere and the impacts of acidic deposition in the region are anticipated to be limited.

Author information

Author/s: Whitfield, Colin J (CJ); Aherne, Julian (J); Watmough, Shaun A (SA);

Affiliation: Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. cwhitfield(-atsign-)trentu.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Environmental science & technology (Environ Sci Technol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Aug; vol 43 (issue 15) : pp 5844-50

Dates: Created 2009/09/07; Completed 2009/10/19;

PMID: 19731686, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/19/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Acids - chemistry Alberta Calibration Computer Simulation Ecosystem Environmental Monitoring - methods Geology - methods Hydrogen-Ion Concentration

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Models, Theoretical Soil Soil Pollutants - analysis Sulfur Dioxide - analysis Trees Water - chemistry Weather

Associated Chemicals: Acids (0) ; Soil (0) ; Soil Pollutants (0) ; Sulfur Dioxide (7446-09-5) ; Water (7732-18-5)

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