The Stream, January 8: Oil Sands Mining Increased Water Pollution in Canada

Oil sand mining operations in Alberta, Canada have been shown to cause increased levels of the toxic pollutants polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, in nearby lakes, according to a study from a team of Canadian researchers, reported The New York Times. The research tested sediment deposits from six lakes surrounding Fort McMurray dating back about 50 years until now. Since oil-sands production in Fort McMurray, PAHs levels have steadily risen. The BBC reports that PAHs have been shown to harm freshwater ecosystems and can be damaging to food crops.

Six Degrees in the Middle East
According to reports from World Bank experts at the Doha climate change conference last month, Middle East nations may face up to six degrees (C) of climate warming if greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions go unabated, reports The Guardian. The largest challenge facing the region is water scarcity.

Mountains Have Negligible Affect on Ocean Sediment
Once thought to have contributed to carbon dioxide levels in ocean systems, new research suggests that sediment from mountains have only a minor affect on erosion and climate regulation processes, according to Science Daily. The study, which uses a new method for research, directly challenges previous conclusions drawn by past research, which figured that mountain erosion contributes to large levels of ocean sediment.

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