Evaluation of reclamation success in Alberta's oil sands

摘要

Suncor Energy Inc. 's Reclamation Area #8 (RA8) is an overburden disposal area containing lean oil sands and an average of 3% hydrocarbons. RA8 was reclaimed to an upland ecosite over several stages starting in 1979 and continuing in 1984, 1987 and 1990. Annual monitoring of the site was conducted from 1979 through to 2008. As a result, RA8 is one of the few sites in the Oil Sands Region that provides an example of long-term reclamation performance. Although each portion of the area was reclaimed according to the standards of the day, valuable information is provided on the long-term performance of reclamation using a variety of different preparation and planting strategies. Reclamation approaches included relieving compaction on berms; a peat-mineral reclamation soil cap; breaking up the surface to improve the seedbed; controlling erosion with the planting of annual barley; applying fertiliser and afforestation. Percent cover by species, vegetation height, litter cover and soil samples were evaluated throughout the reclaimed areas.