Analyzing Methane Genesis from Hydrocarbon Degradation from Oil Sands Tailings

June 2023 - June 2024

We perform an experiment to analyse hydrocarbon biodegradation in Syncrude naphtha under anaerobic condition and various nutrient constraints. The experiment yielded diverse hydrocarbon biodegradation rates and methane and hydrogen sulfide production. All groups showed production of hydrogen sulfide where only some of the groups produced methane.

Top: (L) Nutrient amended high group, (R) Nutrient amended low group

Bottom: (R) Sterile group control, (R) Amended base group