Approaches to the design of a biomonitoring program using arthropods as bioindicators for the AOSERP study area

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Ryan, J. K.
  • Hilchie, G. J.

• Present oil sand extracting plants are licensed to emit up to 635 t of S02 per day, along with large quantities of other gasses and fly ash. Additional oil sand extraction plants are in the planning stages. The cumulative effect of additional plants will tax the ability of the local environment to remove pollutants. A literature review on the effects of pollution showed that, while vegetation is the most conspicuous victim of pollution damage, arthropods clearly respond to the effects of industrial emissions, and may be used as an early warning system for harmful effects. Insects possess certain characteristics desirable for biomonitoring organisms. They are abundant, cosmopolitan, sensitive to pollution, and show definite responses to pollutants. Several insect species and groups of insects are examined in relation to their potential as biological indicators in the Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Research Program (AOSERP) study area. Pitfall traps (for ground beetles), emergence traps (for production measurements), and a survey of scale insects are recommended. In addition, bark beetles, honey bees, and insect species diversity indices are discussed in relation to AOSERP biomonitoring.

• Date created

  1980

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Oil Sands
  • AOSERP
  • Biomonitoring
  • Oil sands
  • Tar Sands
  • Literature Review
  • Technology
  • AOSERP LS 11.3
  • Alberta
  • Tar sands
  • Arthropods
  • Canada, Alberta, Fort McMurray

• Type of Item

  Report

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3D795D8Q

• License

  This material is provided under educational reproduction permissions included in Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development's Copyright and Disclosure Statement, see terms at http://www.environment.alberta.ca/copyright.html. This Statement requires the following identification: \"The source of the materials is Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development http://www.environment.gov.ab.ca/. The use of these materials by the end user is done without any affiliation with or endorsement by the Government of Alberta. Reliance upon the end user's use of these materials is at the risk of the end user.