Investigation of Sustainable Community-Based Strategies for the Mitigationof the Environmental Effects of Oil Sands Tailings Ponds

The development of the Athabasca Oil Sands in Alberta has been a source of national and
global controversy in recent years. This is in part due to the impact it is having on the health
and way of life of locals and the creation of large toxic waste ponds. These ponds are known
to leak into the Athabasca River which carries the pollutants downstream. People living
downstream from the oil sands are then affected by the contaminated water and the wildlife in
the area becomes unsafe for consumption. This project seeks to find a way to mitigate the
harmful effects of oil sands operations on the downstream communities by targeting the
chemicals within the tailings ponds, preventing groundwater seepage and proper reclamation
of the tailings ponds.

Faculty Supervisor:

Robert Fleisig

Student:

Partner:

Hatch Ltd

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

University:

McMaster University

Program:

Accelerate