Toxic Sludge Seeping into Alberta Muskeg

An uncontained edge of a remote Alberta tailings pond could be causing serious damage to the surrounding environment.

Three edges of the Fort McKay oil sands’ tailings pond are shored up with dikes, but on the western edge, engineers relied on a natural incline to keep the toxic tailings contained. Local native groups say toxins are visibly leaking over that edge and contaminating the surrounding muskeg. Animals may also be drinking from the pond because there is no barrier to keep them away. The pond is operated by Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. and its design was approved by Alberta's Energy Resources Conservation Board, the body that oversees the controversial oil sands industry. The industry’s image was damaged last month when 230 ducks had to be euthanized after landing in a tailings pond in Mildred Lake.