Researchers create method of cleaning toxins from oil sands

The method makes use of biofilms and could eventually be used in tailings water treatment plants that return clean water to the river system.

Oil sand is a naturally occurring mixture of sand, clay or other minerals, as well as water and bitumen, which is a heavy and extremely viscous oil that must be treated before it can be used by refineries to produce usable fuels such as gasoline and diesel. There are major reserves in Venezuela, the US and Russia, but the Athabasca deposit in Alberta, Canada, is the largest and most developed reserve.

Oil sand development uses a vast amount of water and, even though it is recycled multiple times, the recycling concentrates the toxins and metals left over from extracting and upgrading the bitumen, resulting in controversial tailings ponds that are a significant risk to the environment.

The current research project aimed at tackling the problem is a collaboration between biologists at Calgary University and engineers at Alberta University.