Author:
Holowenko Fervone M,MacKinnon Michael D,Fedorak Phillip M
Abstract
In the past decade, the large tailings pond (Mildred Lake Settling Basin) on the Syncrude Canada Ltd. lease near Fort McMurray, Alta., has gone methanogenic. Currently, about 60%-80% of the flux of gas across the surface of the tailings pond is methane. As well as adding to greenhouse gas emissions, the production of methane in the fine tailings zone of this and other settling basins may affect the performance of these settling basins and impact reclamation options. Enumeration studies found methanogens (105-106MPN/g) within the fine tailings zone of various oil sands waste settling basins. SRB were also present (104-105MPN/g) with elevated numbers when sulfate was available. The methanogenic population was robust, and sample storage up to 9 months at 4°C did not cause the MPN values to change. Nor was the ability of the consortium to produce methane delayed or less efficient after storage. Under laboratory conditions, fine tailings samples released 0.10-0.25 mL CH4(at STP)/mL fine tailings. The addition of sulfate inhibited methanogenesis by stimulating bacterial competition.Key words: fine tailings, methanogens, sulfate-reducing bacteria, methane, oil sands.
Publisher
Canadian Science Publishing
Subject
Genetics,Molecular Biology,Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,General Medicine,Immunology,Microbiology
Cited by
108 articles.
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