A multi-isotope approach for assessing industrial contributions to atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the Athabasca oil sands region in Alberta, Canada

Bernadette C. Proemse; Bernhard Mayer; Mark E. Fenn; Christopher Ross

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2013.07.004

Treesearch

A multi-isotope approach for assessing industrial contributions to atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the Athabasca oil sands region in Alberta, Canada

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Bernadette C. Proemse, Bernhard Mayer, Mark E. Fenn, Christopher Ross

Year:

2013

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.07.004

Source:

Environmental Pollution. 182: 80-91

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Abstract

Industrial nitrogen (N) emissions in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR), Alberta, Canada, affect nitrate (NO₃) and ammonium (NH₄) deposition rates in close vicinity of industrial emitters. NO₃-N and NH₄-N open field and throughfall deposition rates were determined at various sites between 3 km and 113 km distance to the main oil sand operations between May 2008 and May 2009. NO₃ and NH₄ were analyzed for δ¹⁵N-NO₃, δ¹⁸O-NO₃, Δ¹⁷O-NO₃ and δ¹⁵N-NH₄. Marked differences in the δ¹⁸O and Δ¹⁷O values between industrial emissions and background deposition allowed for the estimation of minimum industrial contributions to atmospheric NO₃ deposition. δ¹⁵N-NH₄ values also allowed for estimates of industrial contributions to atmospheric NH₄ deposition. Results revealed that particularly sites within ~30 km radius from the main oil sands developments are significantly affected by industrial contributions to atmospheric NO₃ and NH₄ deposition.

Keywords

Atmospheric nitrate, Nitrogen isotopes, Oxygen isotopes, Deposition, Throughfall, Oil sands, Oxygen-17, Athabasca, Alberta

Citation

Proemse, Bernadette C.; Mayer, Bernhard; Fenn, Mark E.; Ross, Chistopher S. 2013. A multi-isotope approach for assessing industrial contributions to atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the Athabasca oil sands region in Alberta, Canada. Environ. Pollut. 182: 80-91.