Trace elements in the culturally significant plant Sarracenia purpurea in proximity to dust sources in the oil sands region of Alberta, Canada

Accessible populations of plants are critical to the meaningful exercise of Aboriginal and treaty rights in Canada. In the oil sands region of Alberta, populations of culturally significant plant species overlap with extensive oil and gas development. This has led to a host of questions and concerns related to plant health and integrity from both Indigenous communities and western scientists. Here, we assessed trace element concentrations in the northern pitcher-plant (tsala' t'ile; Sarracenia purpurea L.) with a focus on elements associated with fugitive dust and bitumen. Plant leaves were collected using clean methods and washed prior to analyses in an ultra-clean, metal-free laboratory. Pitcherplant was an excellent model for assessing the impacts of industrial development on a culturally important, vulnerable species. Although concentrations of trace elements in pitcher-plant were low and not indicative of a toxicological concern, we saw clear dust signatures in plant tissues related to road and surface mine proximity. Elements associated with fugitive dust and bitumen extraction declined exponentially with increasing distance from a surface mine, a wellestablished regional pattern. However, our analyses also captured localized spikes in trace element concentrations within 300 m of unpaved roads. These local patterns are more poorly quantified at the regional scale but are indicative of the burden to Indigenous harvesters wishing to access plant populations that are not impacted by dust. Further work to directly quantify dust loads on culturally significant plants will help to define the amount of harvesting area lost to Indigenous communities due to dust impacts.

Automated summary

Accessible populations of culturally significant plant species in the oil sands region of Alberta overlap with extensive oil and gas development. Dust signatures related to road and surface mine proximity were found in plant tissues. Localized dust impacts within 300 m of unpaved roads have hindered Indigenous harvesters from accessing undisturbed plant populations.