Researchers showed that the oil sands industry releases the 13 elements considered priority pollutants (PPE) under the US Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water Act, via air and water, to the Athabasca River and its watershed.

The extent to which pollution from tar sands industrial activities in northeastern Alberta, Canada affects ecosystem and human health is a matter of growing concern that is exacerbated by uncertainty. In this paper we determine whether physical and ecological changes that result from tar sands industrial activities are detectable.

This summary contains information from meetings that have been held in, Anzac, Slave Lake and Fort McMurray.

Recent research has revealed significant risks to huge underground freshwater channels from tar sands activity north of Lac La Biche and Cold Lake.