Ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry of simulated runoff from treated oil sands mature fine tailings.

There is interest in using mature fine tailings (MFT) in reclamation strategies of oil sands mining operations. However, simulated runoff from different dried MFT treatments is known to have elevated levels of salts, toxic ions, and naphthenic acids, and alkaline pH and it is phytotoxic to the emergent macrophyte, common reed (Phragmites australis). Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) of the acidic species in the runoff confirmed that the distribution of oil sands naphthenic acids and associated oil sand acids was dependent on the MFT treatment. Furthermore, FT-ICR MS studies of the acidic species in hydroponic systems revealed that there was no plant-mediated change in the electrospray ionization mass spectra of the runoff. O(o)-containing species were prevalent (>90%), O(o)S(s) were predominant (<10% relative abundance), and O(o)N(n) were least abundant in all runoff water samples. O(o)S(s) species were predominant in all the samples investigated. The heteroatomic classes present in runoff water at greater than 1% relative abundance include: O(2)N(1), O(3)N(1), O(2), O(2)S(1) O(3), O(3)S(1), O(4), O(4)S(1), O(5), O(5)S(1), O(6), O(6)S(1), O(7), O(7)S(1), O(8) and O(8)S(1). Assuming the same response factor for all O(o) species, the O(4) class, presumably dicarboxylic acids, was generally more prevalent than the O(2) class in all samples. The O(2) class is indicative of classical naphthenic acids. However, dicarboxylic acids will form negative ions more readily than the monocarboxylic acids as there are two acidic hydrogens available for formation of these species.

Phytotoxicity and naphthenic acid dissipation from oil sands fine tailings treatments planted with the emergent macrophyte Phragmites australis.

During reclamation the water associated with the runoff or groundwater flushing from dry stackable tailings technologies may become available to the reclaimed environment within an oil sands lease. Here we evaluate the performance of the emergent macrophyte, common reed (Phragmites australis), grown in chemically amended mature fine tailings (MFT) and simulated runoff/seepage water from different MFT drying treatments. The present study also investigated the phytotoxicity of the concentration of oil sands naphthenic acids (NAs) in different MFT drying chemical treatments, in both planted and unplanted systems. We demonstrate that although growth was reduced, the emergent macrophyte common reed was capable of growing in diluted unamended MFT runoff, as well as in diluted runoff from MFT amended with either 0.25% lime and gypsum or 0.5% gypsum. Common reed can thus assist in the dewatering process of oil sands MFT. However, simulated runoff or seepage waters from chemically amended and dried MFT were phytotoxic, due to combined levels of salts, naphthenic acids and pH. Phytoremediation of runoff water/ground water seepage from dry-land applied MFT will thus require pre-treatment in order to make conditions more favorable for plant growth.