Yexin Han | ALES Graduate Seminar

Event details: A graduate exam seminar is a presentation of the student’s final research project for their degree.
This is an ALES MSc Final Exam Seminar by Yexin Han. This seminar is open to the general public to attend.

Microsoft Teams Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YzEzMWZkZDYtOWMyYi00ZjUxLTkyNzItY2ZlOWNmZTExZjA0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%229d053c14-5a08-40d0-a616-dffd170e2b7e%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22dc2c813f-e44a-4046-b073-e3061dc0b82a%22%7d

MSc with Dr. Janusz Zwiazek.

Thesis Topic: Effects of Enhanced Non-segregated Tailings, Root Hypoxia, and Salinity on the Growth of Commonly Used Oil Sands Reclamation Plant Species and Halophytes

Abstract:

In Alberta, Canada, oil sands mining activities have disturbed many boreal forest habitats and produced large amounts of tailings. Recently, a novel oil sands tailings management technology of the enhanced non-segregated tailings (eNST) has been developed. However, the effects of eNST on the growth of plants that are used for reclamation of oil sands have not been thoroughly studied. In my thesis study, I carried out two studies to examine the effects of eNST release water on the four tree species and three grass species. I found that eNST water significantly reduced the growth and physiological parameters in paper birch and trembling aspen. The root hypoxia aggravated the negative effects of eNST water on paper birch, jack pine, and black spruce. I also found salinity is the major factor contributing to the phytotoxicity of eNST water.