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In Summary

In Summary In the present Perspectives article, we sought opinions on the above challenge statement from industry, government, and academic colleagues. Although only the latter 2 opinion pieces were received, the informed and well‐defended opinions were similarly optimistic and urged moving forward soon on a safe solution for remediated oil sands process–affected water (OSPW) release or hydrological connectivity of this water to natural aquatic systems. As pointed out by Hazewinkel and Westcott (provincial government Response ), it is important to keep in mind why a “zero‐discharge policy” was implemented for OSPW in the first place: to maximize efficient water use. There is no doubt that this policy has been very successful, but even the government authors acknowledge that this policy might be counterproductive toward achieving long‐term water‐reclamation objectives. In the academic Response , van den Heuvel points out that the end pit lake reclamation strategy may fail because of OSPW's current persistent and toxic organic chemicals, not to mention the important pH‐altering effects that carbonate may have as it leaches into the lakes from underlying fine tailings. Is it too late to take decisive action? Not in the minds of the contributors to this Perspectives column. Although tailings ponds cannot http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Oxford University Press

In Summary

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Publisher
Oxford University Press
Copyright
© 2015 SETAC
ISSN
0730-7268
eISSN
1552-8618
DOI
10.1002/etc.3142
pmid
26605867
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

In the present Perspectives article, we sought opinions on the above challenge statement from industry, government, and academic colleagues. Although only the latter 2 opinion pieces were received, the informed and well‐defended opinions were similarly optimistic and urged moving forward soon on a safe solution for remediated oil sands process–affected water (OSPW) release or hydrological connectivity of this water to natural aquatic systems. As pointed out by Hazewinkel and Westcott (provincial government Response ), it is important to keep in mind why a “zero‐discharge policy” was implemented for OSPW in the first place: to maximize efficient water use. There is no doubt that this policy has been very successful, but even the government authors acknowledge that this policy might be counterproductive toward achieving long‐term water‐reclamation objectives. In the academic Response , van den Heuvel points out that the end pit lake reclamation strategy may fail because of OSPW's current persistent and toxic organic chemicals, not to mention the important pH‐altering effects that carbonate may have as it leaches into the lakes from underlying fine tailings. Is it too late to take decisive action? Not in the minds of the contributors to this Perspectives column. Although tailings ponds cannot

Journal

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry – Oxford University Press

Published: Dec 1, 2015

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