| Biographies |
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| Michael - My name is Michael Gras and I am representing the Edmonton Region with my science fair project the removal of naphthenic acids in oil sands tailing ponds. I enjoy working on projects regarding environmental science. My esteemed college and I won six awards in this fair. I attend Aurora Charter School in Edmonton and am in grade 8. Other than working on the science fair project, I also enjoy playing soccer and guitar. I have danced with Shumka Ukrainian dancers and have performed at many concerts and have even performed for the mayor of Edmonton. One of my most enjoyable hobbies and quickly becoming a passion is working with magic. I am also a member of the Edmonton Magic Club and enjoy performing for others. It is fun since you bring smiles to others. Recently, I performed at the Abra-Kid-Abra event raising money for Shiner’s hospitals. Going to the Canada Wide Science Fair is a dream come true and I am looking forward to the competition and the week. | | Brennon - Brennon Grohn is an inquisitive eighth grader who loves science, sports, magic and the outdoors. This past winter, he and 12 classmates embarked on a marine exploration trip aboard a research vessel in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico. There, he enjoyed many experiences relating to biological science. At the 2011 Edmonton Regional Science Fair, Brennon’s third appearance, he received several awards for his project, “Effective Effluent Expurgation: Naphthenic Acids Removal.” Accolades included the Earth and Environmental Sciences Award, Christie Communications Excellence in Communications Award, ACPA Rick Dillen Memorial Award (sponsored by the Canadian Crude Quality Technical Association), Material Science Award, Petroleum Society Educational Trust Fund Award, and the Chemical Institute of Canada Young Chemist Award. In his spare time, you might find Brennon taking shots on his street hockey net, playing competitive soccer or ice hockey, or relishing an episode of Mythbusters. On the creative side, he occasionally fine tunes magic tricks, practices for an upcoming piano exam, or gets absorbed in the latest James Patterson novel. And, there’s always time for fishing. Brennon has his sights set on a career in dentistry or something in the field of environmental engineering. |
| Michael Gras, Brennon Grohn
Effective Effluent Expurgation: Naphthenic Acids Removal
| Challenge: | Environment | | Category: | Junior | | Region: | Edmonton | | City: | Edmonton, AB, St. Albert, AB | | School: | Aurora Charter School | | Abstract: | Alberta oil sands operations provide an alternative to depleting conventional oil sources. Despite aggressive water recycling, the bitumen extraction process generates residual effluent ponds that contain harmful naphthenic acids. The “Effective Effluent Expurgation: Naphthenic Acids Removal” investigation explores the use of activated carbon adsorbents and polymeric ion exchange resins to reduce levels of naphthenic acids found in oil sands tailings ponds water. |
| Awards | Value | Excellence Award - Junior
Bronze Medal
Sponsor: Youth Science Canada | $300.00 | The University of Western Ontario Scholarship
Bronze Medallist - $1000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: University of Western Ontario | $1 000.00 | | Total | $1 300.00 | |
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