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U.S. Department of Energy
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The effects of oil sands wastewater on fish resulting from exposure to sub-lethal concentrations

Conference ·
OSTI ID:242331
 [1]; ;  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5]
  1. Enviro-Test Labs., Edmonton, Alberta (Canada)
  2. HydroQual Labs. Ltd., Calgary, Alberta (Canada)
  3. Alberta Department of Energy, Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). Oil Sands and Research Division
  4. Suncor Inc., Fort McMurray, Alberta (Canada)
  5. Syncrude Canada Ltd., Edmonton, Alberta (Canada)

Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of oil sands wastewater in flow through laboratory experiments as well as to artificial ponds containing sub-lethal concentrations of tailings pond water and fine tails in order to study the viability of the wet landscape remediation option. Large (200--300 g) fish were used for all the exposures in this preliminary study and the following data were collected: blood cell counts, sex hormone concentrations, sexual maturation, stress protein concentrations, PAH-metabolites in bile, condition factors, liver somatic indices, mixed function oxygenase induction, PAHs in muscle, external condition and the condition of internal organs. The data obtained from this study revealed no adverse effects upon fish during extended field exposures. Given similar exposure conditions in the release waters of a wet landscape reclamation, the data suggest that there may be no adverse effects upon fish, however, longer term studies, other indicator organisms and additional chronic tests should be conducted.

OSTI ID:
242331
Report Number(s):
CONF-9511137--; ISBN 1-880611-03-1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English