The Suncor Consolidated Tailings (CT) Wetland Research Watershed Program

Suncor used Consolidated Tailings (CT) for oil sands tailings management in the 1990s and 2000s. Reclamation of CT presents challenges due to presence of sodium chloride, sodium sulphate salts, naphthenic acids and residual hydrocarbons. In 1999/2000, a 34ha CT Demonstration Watershed was constructed to assess approaches for reclaiming a CT landscape. Water quality, soil and vegetation were monitored between 1999 and 2015. The objectives of were to: (1) develop and understand the nature, acceptability and sustainability of terrestrial and wetland ecosystems in a CT reclaimed landscape; (2) have the capability to define end land uses for CT reclaimed areas; (3) identify mechanisms and approaches best suited to development of vegetation communities on CT landforms; and (4) create knowledge transfer fact sheets that highlight key lessons learned and identify practical applications for ongoing reclamation operations.

11 annual reports summarized research and monitoring in the watershed between 1999 and 2011. In 2012, a series of fact sheets were developed to summarize key lessons learned from reclaimed wetland watershed program.