How do oil sands affect the land?

Oil sands (e.g., diluted bitumen) can negatively impact the environment and human health. Mining oil sands in Alberta, Canada, has led to degradation of forests and parts of the Athabasca River watershed. Short-term exposure to diluted bitumen can increase the risk of cancer and respiratory and neurological diseases.

How much land has been reclaimed in the oil sands?

Since 1967, of the 940 sq km disturbed by the oilsands industry, industry reports that only 60 sq km (7 per cent) have been permanently reclaimed (See Figure 1). Of this small portion, only one sq km (or 0.1 per cent of overall oilsands mining development) has been reclaimed and returned to the province (See Figure 2).

Is oil sands renewable resource?

With the profits flowing to corporations and the long term costs being borne by the public, the Alberta oil sands are not a sustainable resource and their environmental impact will be borne for generations.

What are the cons of oil sands?

The Cons of Tar Sands

  • Clear-cutting is often required to access deposits.
  • Extracting bitumen from tar sands is carbon-intensive.
  • Dependence on tar sands may just prolong the inevitable.
  • The waste products from tar sands are highly toxic.
  • Leaks from tar sands operations could harm people and animals in the region.

Why should we care about oil sands?

The emissions produced by separating oil from sand make the resulting product ‘dirtier,’ in greenhouse gas pollution terms, than conventional oil produced in North America.

What efforts are being made to reclaim the land after use by oil sands?

The reclamation process includes monitoring, seeding, fertilizing, tree planting, seed collecting, topsoil salvaging and replacing, and landform creation and contouring.

Why is land reclamation bad?

The main environmental issues associated with land reclamation in coastal areas include the loss of natural habitat and the subsequent potential reduction in biodiversity, erosion of the coastline and pollution of the marine environment especially from acid sulfate soils.

How do oil sands help the economy?

A strong oil sands sector drives a strong national economy by attracting capital, creating jobs and supporting public services. Canada’s oil sands create prosperity across the entire country – not just in Alberta.

What are the benefits of oil sands?

The responsible development of oil sands is a key driver of Alberta’s and Canada’s economy. It creates jobs and tax revenue for government which support the social programs and capital infrastructure projects we rely on.

How does oil sand mining affect the environment?

Oil sand extraction results in the accumulation of large amounts of residual waste known as tailings, which contain a mixture of water, clay, un-recovered bitumen and solvent, and dissolved chemicals, including some organic compounds that are toxic. These tailings are stored in large ponds similar to water dams.

How can we sustain oil sands?

8 ways the Oil and Gas Industry is making better use of sustainable technologies

  1. Better use of data.
  2. Decreasing freshwater usage.
  3. Improving water recycling efforts.
  4. Reducing methane leaks.
  5. Used oil recycling.
  6. Streamlining/improving processes.
  7. Creating digital oilfields.
  8. Greater acquisition and use of renewable energy.