Scientists with Environment Canada have found evidence of chemical deposits on a lake bottom more than 100 km from oilsands sites, showing that contaminants are traveling further than previously thought. As explained in this Edmonton Journal article, researchers have found contaminants in snow approximately 50km from the oilsands mines, in addition to the deposits at the bottom of a lake further afield. However, the research shows that the levels of contaminants in the lake are lower than threshold limits, comparable to an urban area. The research related to contaminants found in snow and subsequent melt-water indicate that local fish species do not respond well to the contaminants in the water.
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