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Skip to Search Results- 1Archibald, Heather Anne
- 1Collins, Catherine
- 1Donner, Mark
- 1Forsch, Katryna B C
- 1Frederick, Kurt R.
- 1Hazell, Mallory
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Trace elements in berries collected near upgraders and open pit mines in the Athabasca Bituminous Sands Region (ABSR): distinguishing atmospheric dust deposition from plant uptake
DownloadFall 2019
Bitumen mining and upgrading operations in the Athabasca Bituminous Sands Region (ABSR) may lead to increased concentrations of trace elements in the surrounding environment. Elevated concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements could pose a risk to local indigenous communities through the...
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The use of peat applications and Carex aquatilis for peatland reclamation on post mined landscapes in northern Alberta, Canada
DownloadFall 2018
I investigated peatland reclamation factors in a wetland built on a former open-pit oil sands mine in northern Alberta, Canada. The primary research objectives were to investigate the persistence of peat placed in a newly constructed wetland, the survival and establishment of Carex aquatilis...
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The Structure and Dynamics of Fish Isotopic and Trophic Niches in Natural Lakes and Constructed Fisheries Offsets in the Alberta Oil Sands
DownloadFall 2022
Habitat offsets, where damages to natural ecosystems caused by socio-economic development projects are compensated for by the construction or restoration of other ecosystems, can contribute to biological conservation when implemented properly. But, large uncertainties remain surrounding our...
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Productivity and carbon accumulation potential of transferred biofilms in reclaimed oil sands-affected wetlands
DownloadSpring 2011
Biofilms are significant contributors to primary production, nutrient cycling, bio-stabilization and the food web of wetland ecosystems. Photoautotrophic biomass (PB) and primary production (PP) were determined for biofilms exposed to various treatments and materials in wetlands near Fort...
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Fall 2020
Oil sands mining is a significant disturbance in the Canadian boreal forest. One objective for reclamation after mining is to create a self-sustaining ecosystem, which includes establishing a native plant community. For this thesis, study one evaluates the different plant assembly mechanisms,...
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Fall 2017
Many northern Alberta soils have a thick forest floor that houses the majority of soil biogeochemical processes and biological interactions. Microarthropods dominate the faunal communities in these soils, and oribatid mites are the key detritivores that initiate litter decomposition and maintain...
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Oil Sands Reclamation With Woody Debris Using LFH Mineral Soil Mix And Peat Mineral Soil Mix Cover Soils: Impacts On Select Soil And Vegetation Properties
DownloadFall 2014
Prior to mining oil sands, soil is salvaged for reclamation and forest stands are harvested for their merchantable timber. Harvest operations leave large amounts of residual woody debris, which has been historically burned or mulched. Woody debris has significant ecological effects and can be...
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Spring 2013
A major barrier to reclamation after oil sands mining is lack of commercially available, diverse native plant seeds and propagules for revegetation. Potential of LFH (forest floor material) developed on coarse textured soil for establishing native plants and how salvage, placement and storage...
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Natural and anthropogenic inputs of arsenic and selenium to the environment in the Athabasca Bituminous Sands Region
DownloadSpring 2019
Industrial development of the Athabasca Bituminous Sands (ABS) in northern Alberta, Canada, has raised concerns that emissions of arsenic and selenium to the surrounding landscape and waterbodies have been increasing over time. To test this hypothesis, a comprehensive study of arsenic and...
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Natural Recovery of Upland Boreal Forest Vegetation on a Hummocky Peat-Mineral Mix Substrate in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Alberta
DownloadSpring 2010
This research investigated the natural recovery of upland boreal forest vegetation on a peat-mineral mix substrate in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Alberta. Three sites, aged 26 to 34 years, were assessed to determine effects of substrate (pH, electrical conductivity, texture), topography,...