The International Resource Journal: New research shows pollution in Athabasca River

New research shows pollution in Athabasca River
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Resource News on 31 August, 2010 06:53:00
 
IRJ Aug 31 - Researchers from The University of Alberta, say that Canada’s
oil sands operations are polluting the Athabasca  River system.
Researchers affirmed that mercury, lead and arsenic are just a few of thirteen
toxins that are polluting the Athabasca  River system.
"I really think it's time to cut down the expansion until some of those problems
and how to reduce them are solved," said David Shindler, co author of the study,
to Reuters.
The environmental impact on the oil sands could be extreme, and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency considers the pollutants to be toxic in small
amounts and concentrations.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers the substances to be priority
pollutants, or ones that are toxic in low concentrations. Researchers are
particularly worried about the effect on fish in the region.
"I don't think the concentrations alone are dangerous. I worry about some of
them, like mercury, because there, parts per trillion translate into parts per
million in fish," said Shindler.
The co-authored report by Shindler and scientist Erin  Kelly, contradicts a
study from the Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program (RAMP) which is
industry-funded. The material stated in 2009 that the water condition and level
of pollution of the Athabasca River system has not been greatly affected because
of the oil sands.