The Bog
The Bog is where thoughts, opinions, discussion pieces, and action converge. Influential thinkers from the water community are invited to share their insights on current or controversial water topics. Please note that the views expressed herein are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Alberta WaterPortal.
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Nanotechnology could help in reducing the environmental footprints of Alberta oilsands industry Nanoscrubbers for air emission capture, nanoadsorbents for adsorptive removal of waste and hydrocarbons, and nanocatalysts for catalytic steam gasification of asphaltenes and naphthenic acid for improving oil quality and water recyclability. The oilsands recovery and upgrading with the current processes are more water and energy intensive; as a…
History And Governance As A Blueprint For Future Federal-Provincial Co-operation On Environmental Monitoring In The Alberta Oil Sands Region Overview The environmental impacts associated with existing and proposed developments in the Alberta oil sands development region have received unprecedented national, and international, attention. The oil sands represent a strategic resource of importance to Alberta, Canada and indeed to the international…
No Mere Budget Cut Let us be clear. Unless you believe that contracting a flesh-eating disease is a reasonable way to lose weight, it is difficult to interpret what is presently happening to Environment Canada as a mere budget cut. To accept what we have seen happen to this crucial federal government department as mere fiscal belt-tightening is to fall…
What Are You Willing To Pay For Your Water? The book “The Big Thirst” discusses how we have been in a golden age of water, a period of free and accessible water while the earth’s climate has been warming. Water has been so inexpensive, readily accessible and reliable that to society it has become invisible. This is not to say…
Please pass the E. coli O157:H7 Canada is currently experiencing one of the heaviest spring run-offs in decades. Much of this water is coming from adjacent fields and agricultural operations. You may be surprised to know that this water may contain more than your typical unwanted nitrates and minerals. For example, a disturbing trend has developed across Canada whereby unwanted…