Settling pond, Athabasca Oil Sands
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Settling pond, Athabasca Oil Sands
Settling pond. Aerial photograph of a settling pond in the Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada. This area used to be an opencast mine for the excavation of oil sands. The resulting pit has now been filled with water and will be used as a settling pond for the deposition of tailings (waste products) from other oil sands mines. This reuse of old pits as settling ponds helps to minimise the impact on the environment. This facility is operated by Suncor Energy
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6427695
© DAVID NUNUK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
2008 Aerial Photography Albert A Athabasca Oil Sands Bitumen Bituminous Sands Canada Canadian Crude Oil Degradation Degraded Destruction Energy Energy Industry Energy Source Environmental Environmental Impact Excavation Excavator Excavators Flooded Fossil Fuel Fuels July Land Use Machines Mine Mining Mining Machine Nonrenewable North American Oil Reserves Oil Resources Open Pit Power Industry Settling Pond Strip Mining Suncor Tailings Tar Sands Track Tracks Reclamation
EDITORS COMMENTS
This aerial photograph captures the transformation of an opencast mine into a settling pond in the Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada. Once a site for excavating oil sands, this area has now been repurposed to minimize its impact on the environment. The pit that was once filled with machinery and tracks has been flooded with water, creating a serene landscape that serves as a deposition site for tailings - waste products from other oil sands mines. Operated by Suncor Energy, this technological feat showcases the power of reclamation and environmental responsibility in the 21st century. As machines stand idle and excavators lie dormant beneath the water's surface, nature begins to reclaim what was once degraded land. The image highlights both the industrial prowess and potential environmental degradation associated with extracting bitumen from tar sands. It serves as a reminder of our reliance on nonrenewable fossil fuels while also showcasing efforts made by companies like Suncor Energy to mitigate their impact. In this snapshot frozen in time since 2008, we witness how old pits can be transformed into vital settling ponds that help protect surrounding ecosystems. This photograph is not just about an industry or commercial use; it symbolizes humanity's ongoing struggle to balance energy needs with responsible land use practices in order to safeguard our planet for future generations.
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