[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/syncrude.jpg” caption=”Lesley Warren, a professor in McMaster’s School of Geography & Earth Sciences, is investigating bacterial sulfur reactions occurring in composite tailings, the byproduct of the oil sand extraction process. The work could help speed up the land reclamation process for Syncrude Canada, one of the country’s largest oil companies. Photo courtesy Syncrude Canada.”]Researchers at McMaster have received nearly $2.2-million to examine important
environmental processes in Alberta's oil sands, which could help speed up the land
reclamation process for one of Canada's largest oil companies.

The project team, led by Lesley Warren, a professor in the School of Geography & Earth
Sciences, was recruited by Syncrude Canada Ltd. to investigate bacterial sulfur reactions
occurring in its composite tailings. Composite tailings are the byproduct of the oil sand
extraction process. They are high in alkalinity and salinity, and extremely low in organic
matter.

Syncrude will invest more than $1.14-million over the three-year research project, with
an additional $1.05-million from a Collaborative Research & Development grant from
the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).

“We are examining the biogeochemistry of the composite tailings, or more specifically,
the role of bacteria in sulfur cycling,” said Warren. “The sulfur reactions occurring in the
deposits cannot be explained solely by chemical reactions, so we need to understand
the whole process better and determine how bacteria are driving the reactions.”

The research is critical to Syncrude because the company is in the process of creating a
pilot 17-hectare fen wetland, as well as its 50 ha watershed, as part of oil sands
reclamation of a former mine at Mildred Lake, north of Fort McMurray. The pilot fen will
be established by placing peat, as well as plant and tree material recovered from future
mining areas, over composite tailings and sand.

“Syncrude is committed to responsible development and that includes continuous
improvement in our environmental performance,” said Brian Schleckser, Syncrude's
Vice-President of Technical. “This research will provide vital information needed to
effectively reclaim our former mine into a productive and healthy wetland that supports
natural processes.”

The research team will also include Brian McCarry, professor and Chair of the
Department of Chemistry, and Greg Slater, associate professor in the School of
Geography & Earth Sciences and up to 16 graduate and undergraduate students, post-
doctoral fellows and research technicians.

“This collaborative research project exemplifies the value of research partnerships
between industry and academia,” said NSERC President Suzanne Fortier. “Dr. Warren's
fundamental research addresses a major challenge faced by Canadian oil sands
operators, while also benefiting students who will be working on a project that is highly
relevant to industry.”