Grant: Strategic Projects Supplemental Competition

Bitumen extraction activities in Alberta produces large volumes of nutrient-stripped, highly sodic and alkaline tailing sands containing some phytotoxic hydrocarbons (naphthenic acids). The physico-chemical characteristics of these substrates compounded by environmental conditions of Northern Alberta and the sheer volume of tailings produced, greatly complicate the sustainable management of the residues. It is estimated that over the last 30 years, oil sands extraction has produced over 3 x 108 m3 of tailings. Actinomycorhizal alders that enter a tetrapartite symbiosis with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Frankia spp.), ectomycorrhizal and aburscular fungi, have been shown to thrive in these harsh conditions and therefore show great potential to revegetate and rehabilitate these disturbed ecosystems.  This project aims to improve a working sustainable technology and to complete its transfer to industry. Our recent communications and upcoming publications support the proposed phytotechnology. Building on the momentum of our research, we propose to add the mycorrhizal component to actinorhizal alders. This is strongly expected to further improve alder development on challenging sites, allowing the revegetation and rehabilitation of such sites. We will also characterize the longer-term establishement of alders on sand tailingsites by studying 2-year-old plants.  This project exploits the naturally-occurring capabilities of the actinomycorrizal symbiosis in the pioneer alders. The technology is paving the way to new approaches in the management of challenging residues, confirmed the interest of our industrial partners in the oil sands industry.