Since oilsands mining operations started 1967, 1.3 trillion litres of fluid tailings has accumulated in these open ponds on the Northern Alberta landscape (Figure 1). This is enough toxic sludge to fill 400,000 Olympic swimming pools.

Since oilsands mining operations started 1967, 1.3 trillion litres of fluid tailings has accumulated in these open ponds on the Northern Alberta landscape (Figure 1). This is enough toxic sludge to fill 400,000 Olympic swimming pools.