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TRADITIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS FOR OIL SANDS PROCESSED WATER REMEDIATION

Date

2024-05-08

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

ORCID

0009-0001-9673-8784

Type

Thesis

Degree Level

Masters

Abstract

The oil sands industry is of enormous economic value to Canada. Despite its contributions, there is limited research on the social, ethical, legal, and cultural impacts of the industry. Remediation processes involve strategies to reduce the availability of soil contaminants and lessen the damage to the health and environment of affected communities. Further, remediation can improve relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities impacted by the oil sands industry. Advances in remediation have alerted researchers to consider social and cultural preferences in the implementation of remediation technologies. This research explored ways of braiding Indigenous Traditional Knowledge about wetland plants with the current science on treatment wetlands for oil sands processed water. Interviews with local community members and advocacy groups provide preliminary data on preferences for the use of constructed treatment wetland systems and their enhancement using genomics. Data were analyzed using the Biocultural Design Framework and the 10 Principles of Biocultural Conservation. The interview results consisted of four main themes: an ethic of caring for the world, the impacts of the oil sands industry, values associated with constructed wetlands, and the inclusion of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge in science. Results are intended to inform discussions among stakeholders, rights holders, and the Canadian public on the design of constructed treatment wetlands projects for oil sands processed water.

Description

Keywords

Constructed wetlands, Traditional Knowledge

Citation

Degree

Master of Environment and Sustainability (M.E.S.)

Department

School of Environment and Sustainability

Program

Environment and Sustainability

Part Of

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DOI

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