Mapping water yield distribution across the South Athabasca Oil Sands (SAOS) area: Baseline surveys applying isotope mass balance of lakes

dc.contributor.authorGibson, J.J.
dc.contributor.authorBirks, S.J.
dc.contributor.authorMoncur, M.
dc.date.accessioned2019-01-17T18:15:17Z
dc.date.available2019-01-17T18:15:17Z
dc.date.copyright2019en_US
dc.date.issued2019
dc.description.abstractStudy region: Surveys of stable isotopes of water in 121 lakes were conducted between 2007 and 2009 to assist in characterizing baseline hydrology of the South Athabasca Oil Sands area, Alberta, a 35,000 km2 boreal forest region with subdued relief, about 70% wetland cover, and a mosaic of lakes, rivers and buried channel networks. The region, currently under rapid development for in-situ oil sands, was close to baseline conditions at the time of survey. Study focus: Using an isotope mass balance approach, isotope data were applied to estimate water yield to lakes across the region. High-resolution maps were created to illustrate the spatial distribution of water yield and to compare observed patterns to geologic and physiographic features. New hydrological insights for the region: Site-specific differences in water yield were found in relation to geologic and physiographic features. Notably, high water yields were found in lakes underlain by Colorado shale, lower runoff was found in proximity to incised and buried channels. Consistent patterns from year-to-year reveal zones of low runoff which may be more susceptible to development-related impacts including changes in surface/groundwater interaction and pressurization or depressurization of aquifers or formations. The approach may be helpful for informing design of new monitoring programs to ensure runoff variability is considered. Periodic reassessments are recommended to capture potential development and/or climatic change impacts on the water cycle.en_US
dc.description.reviewstatusRevieweden_US
dc.description.scholarlevelFacultyen_US
dc.description.sponsorshipFunding for this hydrological assessment was provided by InnoTech Alberta and its predecessors, in addition to Conocophillips Canada and Nexen Inc.en_US
dc.identifier.citationGibson, J.J., Birks, S.J. & Moncur, M. (2019). Mapping water yield distribution across the South Athabasca Oil Sands (SAOS) area: Baseline surveys applying isotope mass balance of lakes. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 21, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2018.11.001en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2018.11.001
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1828/10525
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherJournal of Hydrology: Regional Studiesen_US
dc.subjectIsotopesen_US
dc.subjectLakesen_US
dc.subjectWater balanceen_US
dc.subjectEvaporationen_US
dc.subjectRunoffen_US
dc.subjectBorealen_US
dc.subjectOil sandsen_US
dc.titleMapping water yield distribution across the South Athabasca Oil Sands (SAOS) area: Baseline surveys applying isotope mass balance of lakesen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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