Effect of Terminal Electron Acceptors on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Oil Sands Tailings
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Authors
Tawadrous, Michael
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Sulfate, Nitrate, Phosphate, Ammonium, Methane, Carbon dioxide, Oil Sands Tailings , Sulfate, Nitrate, Phosphate, Ammonium, Methane, Carbon dioxide, Oil Sands Tailings
Alternative Title
Abstract
Surface mining of Alberta's oil sands produces large volumes of water and solid wastes stored in oil sands tailings ponds. Tailings ponds contain numerous contaminants that have negative effects on the environment (air, water, and land). Each tailings pond has its unique characteristics depending on different chemical additive used during bitumen extraction. Diverse microbial populations developed within each pond which have a vital role in the bioremediation of toxic compounds therein. As tailings ponds age and at low redox conditions (~ -250 mV), some prokaryotes, particularly methanogenic archaea, oxidize petroleum hydrocarbons (such as naphtha) using acetic acid or CO2 as a terminal electron acceptor (TEA) resulted in methane (greenhouse gas) efflux from OSTPs. Some studies estimated the current methane emissions to be up to 43 million liters/day. GHG evolution is stimulated by the naphtha diluent that ends up in tailings ponds during the bitumen extraction process but the processes controlling methane production are not well understood.
In this study, the effect of TEA (SO42- and NO3-), nutrients (PO43- and NH4+), and carbon source (naphtha) on GHG production was investigated in microcosm experiments using mature fine tailings of Suncor Energy Pond 7. In NO3- and SO4-amended microcosms, methanogenesis was reduced by 98.5 and 97.8%, respectively, as initial NO3- or SO42- concentration increased. In MFT-amended with phosphate under methanogenic conditions, CH4 production increased with increasing PO43- concentration by a factor 2.4 times that of the unamended biotic control. Biogenic gas production (CH4, H2S, and N2O) increased with increasing naphtha concentration. The yield of CH4 produced from naphtha consumed under methanogenic conditions was 0.058 g/g which is lower than the theoretical yield since some of the carbon from naphtha was likely used to make microbial biomass and/or the formation of biogenic CO2 or other intermediates like acetate. There was a difficulty in measuring the biogenic CO2 produced due to the equilibrium between HCO3− and CO32− in MFT and biogenic CO2. In conclusion, it is possible to minimize GHG emissions by manipulation of TEA. However, increasing naphtha and/or phosphate concentration will result in increasing CH4 production.
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ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.