scrAPES 3: Oil Sands Raise Levels of Cancer-Causing Compounds in
Regional Waters
Article Date: Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Author: David Biello
Source: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/oil-sands-raise-levels-of-carcinogens-in-regional-waters/
In the Canadian province of Alberta, there are a recorded 17 sites placed from Chipewyan to south Edmonton, that measure the air quality as pollution is being emitted from the mines in Alberta. Air monitoring specialist Kelly Baragar oversees the sights and expresses that air quality in the area as just like anywhere else. Efforts to pinpoint and minimize pollution into the near by Athabasca River as tar and oil sediments have leaked and been eroded in to the river and air pollutant from the oil sand operation has made its way into the river. The sediments that have leaked in to the river have been noted to be toxic to native marine life, causing concern "that projected increases in oil sands expansion will cause toxic contamination... "says biologist David Schindler of the University of Alberta. Further monitoring of air pollutants as well as lake sediment concentrations near Alberta will be conducted to pursue proper responses based on the oil sands impact.
The reasoning behind choosing this article was to better understand how potentially environmentally destructive endeavors will have an impact on environments locally and nationally. Specifically oil expansion in the region is a major concern as these carcinogenic emissions are released in to the air and are released back into the river. This is an even major concern as increased practices of unconventional oil retrieval is conducted as conventional sources of oil are depleted.
Increased monitoring of the oil sands in Alberta need to continue as operations expand in the region. If these operations are not monitored closely, the environmental impact could be devastating to the regions local marine life and can impact ecosystems nationally as emissions are released. Improved utilization of energy as well as improved safety procedure on sight can decrease emissions that are released As well, improved management of oil leakage from the plant will minimize impact on the marine life in the region.
The reasoning behind choosing this article was to better understand how potentially environmentally destructive endeavors will have an impact on environments locally and nationally. Specifically oil expansion in the region is a major concern as these carcinogenic emissions are released in to the air and are released back into the river. This is an even major concern as increased practices of unconventional oil retrieval is conducted as conventional sources of oil are depleted.
Increased monitoring of the oil sands in Alberta need to continue as operations expand in the region. If these operations are not monitored closely, the environmental impact could be devastating to the regions local marine life and can impact ecosystems nationally as emissions are released. Improved utilization of energy as well as improved safety procedure on sight can decrease emissions that are released As well, improved management of oil leakage from the plant will minimize impact on the marine life in the region.