http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Environment/2013/01/07/20478186.html

By Jessica Hume, Parliamentary Bureau

The Athabasca river runs through the city of Fort McMurray, Alta., in this file photo. REUTERS/Todd Korol

OTTAWA – A new study suggests aquatic toxins close to the Athabasca River have increased dramatically and simultaneously with oilsands development there, contradicting earlier government assertions the contamination was naturally occurring.
Calling the data a “smoking gun”, lead scientist and Queens University professor John Smol explained that, unlike previous studies that relied on insufficient historical data and so produced mere “snapshots” of contaminants in a given area at a given time, the new research used core samples of lake sediment from before oilsands development in the area began.

“The sediment is like a history book, and what it shows clearly is that the rise in PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) started in the ’60s in lockstep with oilsands development,” Smol said. “But it also shows undeniably that the contamination is not natural and that it’s showing up as far as 90 km away.”

Special thanks to Richard Charter