Annual Bird Mortality in the Bitumen Tailings Ponds in Northeastern Alberta, Canada

摘要: Abstract Open pit bitumen extraction is capable of causing mass mortality events resident and migratory birds. We investigated annual avian in the tailings ponds Athabasca tar sands region, northeastern Alberta, Canada. analyzed three types data: government-industry reported mortalities; empirical studies bird deaths at ponds; rates landing, oiling, to quantify due exposure ponds. Ad hoc self-reported data from industry indicate an pond Alberta 65 The were internally inconsistent appeared underestimate actual mortality. Scientific range 458 5,029 birds, which represents unknown fraction true Government-overseen monitoring within a statistically valid design, standardized across all facilities, needed. Systematic accurate, timely report...