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Syncrude Operations effluent pipe and tailings. The toxic effluent ponds of the alberta Tar Sands are so large that they can be seen from outer space. Every barrel of oil requires 3-5 barrels of fresh water to refine. This is dramatically reducing water levels in the Athabasca River and threatening the Athabasca Delta, one of the World's greatest inland deltas and critical habitat for birdlife. These oil reserves are second only to those of Saudi Arabia. Their method of extraction is among the most damaging and their refining creates more greenhouse gases than any other oil refining process..Copyright Garth Lenz. Contact: lenz@islandnet.com www.garthlenz.com