FORT MCMURRAY, ALBERTA — (Marketwire) — 01/31/13 — In November of 2012 the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) published a detailed book that, for the first time, synthesizes the results and concepts of WBEA–s 2008-2012 scientifically enhanced monitoring work, and offers a wide ranging look at significant environmental indicators of air quality and the state of the terrestrial environment in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR).
The book, titled Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and the Environment, has been published by Elsevier in Oxford, England, as part of the Developments in Environmental Science series. The peer-reviewed, academic results translate into –practical– science that is already helping to change the way stakeholders do business in the region.
With work and contributions from a team of multi-disciplinary senior scientists from Canada, the United States and Europe, the book features nineteen chapters ranging in topics from a global perspective of energy production, measurement methodologies and behavior of various air pollutants during bitumen extraction/upgrading in a boreal forest ecosystem, to designing and deploying a multi-disciplinary, proactive, and long-term environmental monitoring system that will also serve regulatory expectations.
After a significant increase in funding in 2008, WBEA assembled a distinguished group of international scientists who have been conducting measurements and practical research on various aspects of air emissions and their potential effects on terrestrial receptors. The chapters in the book are a direct result of this work, and of the years of environmental monitoring carried out through WBEA–s air, land and human monitoring programs.
The air quality information WBEA collects has always been openly shared with stakeholders and the public, and the publication of this book further demonstrates WBEA–s transparency.
Executive Director of WBEA, and editor of Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and the Environment, Dr. Kevin Percy, PhD, said, “WBEA has been measuring and monitoring the environment at key points along the air pollutant pathway, and for the first time in this region we are utilizing a truly holistic, forest health approach to monitoring. These chapters provide original scientific data on emissions, transport, air quality, deposition and source contributions to terrestrial ecosystems.
The development in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) has come under intense public scrutiny in recent years, which makes the information contained within this book all the more important. It will be used to inform environmental decisions, it will contribute new knowledge to support environmental impact assessments, and it will inform stakeholders and the public on environmental air quality in the Wood Buffalo region.”
The book features many noteworthy findings:
Dr. Percy states, “The scientific work underpinning this book clearly demonstrates that there is an absolute pre-requisite for an on-the-ground, long term integrated suite of measurements that by design link the air and terrestrial systems. As such, WBEA is fully supportive of the enhanced level of research and measurements proposed in the Joint Canada/Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring.”
Percy adds, “WBEA–s Membership has been fully supportive of an increase in the extent and intensity of our monitoring since 2008. The nineteen peer-reviewed, scientific papers in this text are a direct result of their support and confidence. These papers represent the work of preeminent scientists executing high quality, yet –practical–, science in our region.
Our Members can be justifiably proud that in 2007, they recognized the need, and funded enhanced scientific environmental monitoring. Today, those monitoring results – brought together in WBEA–s new text – provide regional stakeholders with increased practical knowledge on which to base decisions as we move forward.”
The Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) is an independent, community based, not-for-profit organization that monitors the air in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This is done through a variety of air, land and human monitoring programs. The air quality information collected is openly shared with stakeholders and the public.
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Background:
Contacts:
WBEA
Melissa Pennell
Communications
780-977-8440