Environment & Energy

Why is this research important to Alberta? A major challenge facing Alberta’s oil sands industry is the requirement to reclaim mining-impacted environments. Over 100,000 ha of boreal forest have been disturbed by mining, but reclamation landscapes have been constructed on <10% of this land. Pit lakes are a critical component of all oil sands closure

Why is this research important to Alberta? Following oil sands extraction, either in situ or mining-based, by law the land must be reclaimed to equivalent land capability. When oil is extracted, the land is heavily disturbed, and topsoil is removed and either used at another site right away or stockpiled for later use in reclamation.

Why is this research important to Alberta? Objectives around “decarbonizing” oil sands production in Alberta reflect the relatively high carbon footprint associated with oil sands production. This project will develop new microbial technology for lowering the emissions intensity associated with steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) for oil sands production in Alberta. By increasing oil production rates

Why is this research important to Alberta? The hydrogen sector is still emerging in Alberta and Canada. Large-volume storage reservoirs will be needed for hydrogen to help buffer against the intermittency of renewable energy, i.e., hydrogen generation in excess of immediate needs is temporarily stored underground and then retrieved shortly thereafter (days or months later).

Why is this research important to Alberta? Alberta’s hydrogen future depends on storing hydrogen safely underground, but invisible microbial risks threaten that goal. Salt caverns are Alberta’s most promising option for large scale hydrogen storage, yet bacteria living in cavern brines can quietly consume stored hydrogen and produce toxic “sour gas”. Left unmanaged, this contamination

Why is this research important to Alberta? Alberta’s wetlands and natural ecosystems are under increasing pressure from climate change, land-use change, and resource development. Environmental policy decisions rely on timely, accurate information about biodiversity, species at risk, and invasive species. Current monitoring approaches are often slow, expensive, and limited in geographic or taxonomic scope. Delays