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Effects-Directed Analysis of Dissolved Organic Compounds in Oil Sands Process-Affected Water.
Garrett D Morandi1, Steve B Wiseman1, Alberto Pereira2
1Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada.
Environmental Science & Technology
|September 19, 2015
Summary
Naphthenic acids are a major cause of acute toxicity in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). This study identified them as the most potent toxic chemical class, though other organic compounds also contribute to OSPW toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Ecotoxicology
- Oil Sands Research
Background:
- Oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) contains complex organic mixtures causing acute toxicity.
- The specific toxic chemical classes within OSPW have not been definitively identified.
- Understanding OSPW toxicity is crucial for environmental remediation and risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most acutely toxic chemical classes in OSPW using effects-directed analysis.
- To quantify the contribution of different organic fractions to OSPW toxicity.
- To pinpoint specific chemical constituents responsible for OSPW's lethal effects on aquatic organisms.
Main Methods:
- Effects-directed analysis involving sequential fractionation of OSPW.
- Chemical characterization using ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry.
- Acute toxicity testing using fathead minnow embryo lethality and Microtox bioassays.
Main Results:
- Toxicity was primarily associated with neutral extractable and subsequently ionizable fractions.
- Naphthenic acids (O2(-)) were identified as the most potent toxic chemical class in OSPW.
- Nonacidic species (O(+), O2(+), SO(+), NO(+)) also contributed to the overall acute toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Naphthenic acids are a primary driver of acute toxicity in OSPW.
- Nonacidic organic compounds in OSPW also play a significant role in its toxicity.
- This research provides critical insights into the chemical basis of OSPW ecotoxicity.
