Sandhill Fen (multiple projects)

In pit hydraulic placement of sand and composite tailings (CT) presents the new challenge of developing technologies suitable for this landform strategy, and the opportunity to advance wetland reclamation, as these facilities are more conducive to wetland development. The 57 hectare Sandhill Fen Research Watershed (SFRW) is a large scale pilot fen wetland research program addressing two challenges in oil sands reclamation and closure: (1) the ability to re-establish fen wetlands and (2) technology and practices for reclamation of ‘soft tailings’. The SFRW is on an area back filled hydraulically with composite tailings. 7 hummocks were constructed in 2010 and planted with a mix of trees (aspen, white spruce and jack pine) and shrub species; some hummocks contain experimental plots. They surround a 17 acre wetland constructed in 2011 and seeded and planted with wetland plants in 2011-2012. The objective of the SFRW research program is to gain knowledge and provide guidance for future lease development and reclamation. Three key study areas are: (1) understanding the nutrient, carbon and water balances; (2) landform design guidance, especially hummock landform technology; and (3) wetland reclamation guidance.

Many studies were completed in the SFRW. In the hummock area, several research groups worked collaboratively on revegetation, hummock hydrology, and the movement, availability, and interaction of water between the hummocks and the wetland that they surround. Researchers working in the wetland area looked at native boreal wetland plants’ ability to survive and reproduce across a range of expected conditions, monitored wetland invertebrates and examined the water, salt and carbon balances in the wetland. Also, an online metadata and mapping tool system was piloted as a tool for supporting multidisciplinary research. This body of work demonstrates technical and operational understanding and confidence and serves to assert that CT is a commercially established tailings technology. It supports the approach that ongoing deposit performance monitoring is more appropriate going forward given the commercially proven status of the technology rather than a formal research and development plan. Monitoring performance in support of an Adaptive Management Approach is a necessary and important element of ongoing CT capping and reclamation.