Soil quality and land capability of reclaimed oil and gas well pads in southern Alberta: long-term legacy effects

Janz, Arnold; Whitson, I R; Lupardus, Randi C.

doi:10.1139/cjss-2019-0020

Cited by 16 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Iron chlorosis most often occurs when soil pH is >7 because alkaline soils decrease solubility of cationic nutrients, rendering them less available for absorption and metabolization by tree tissues (Martı́nez & Motto 2000). This was the case on our pads as we, like other investigators, found more alkaline soils compared to forest soils (Osko & Glasgow 2010; Janz et al 2019). We therefore suspect that alkalinity and Fe deficiency could have interacted or contributed independently to arrested succession.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Effects of soil treatments and tree species on reforestation of well pads

Dyke¹,

Wilderman

Harju

et al. 2022

Restoration Ecology

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Anthropogenically induced arrested succession is a global problem in forest ecosystems. In northern Michigan (U.S.A.), oil development has arrested succession in forest landscapes since the 1970s and oil well pads have not reforested up to 30 years after being vacated. To explore pathways for reforestation, we evaluated survivorship and growth of northern red oak (Quercus rubra), white oak (Q. alba), jack pine (Pinus banksiana), and red pine (P. resinosa) at monthly intervals during growing seasons from 2015 to 2019 on pads, which had been vacated 9-34 years prior to the initiation of our study. We planted trees in four soil surface treatments-experimental control (planting only, no treatment), disking, fertilization, and disking with fertilization. While monitoring survivorship and growth of planted trees, we concurrently examined natural reforestation in untreated control areas on each pad and differences between soil characteristics of pads and surrounding forests. Pinus resinosa displayed highest overall survivorship regardless of treatment, but maximum survivorship in disked soils and experimental control areas. Other species had highest survivorship in disked soils. There was no significant reforestation in untreated control areas during the 5-year study period. Pads had higher levels of Bray P, Ca, and Mg, but lower levels of Fe, organic matter, and moisture than forest soils. Concentrations of toxic chemicals associated with drilling activities were not different between pad and forest soils or, if different, within acceptable levels for plant growth. In reforesting well pads, restorationists should plant P. resinosa in disked soil to achieve highest tree survivorship and density.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Effects of soil treatments and tree species on reforestation of well pads

Dyke¹,

Wilderman

Harju

et al. 2022

Restoration Ecology

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“…I used updated versions of some of the algorithms; see Whitson (2017) for details. The ratings were calculated for the soil profile only, similar to the approach followed by Janz et al (2019). Deductions were subtracted from the initial rating of 100 basis points to obtain the final index.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Residual effects of pipeline construction on agricultural soils of the Canadian prairie

Whitson¹

2023

Land Degrad Dev

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The return to equivalent capability was evaluated on a >1000 km oil and gas pipeline corridor on the western Canadian prairies. Resource constraints limited this first phase of sampling to soils more likely damaged by disturbance. Three pipelines were selected to span a 55‐year period of construction. Data were collected from four transects established within each of six randomly chosen quarter sections (each 65 hectares) that included reference sites. Laboratory analysis provided data for organic carbon, pH, calcium carbonate equivalent, sodicity, salinity, and particle size distribution. Field procedures were used to obtain data for topsoil thickness, bulk density, aggregate size distribution, and carbonate distribution. The Canadian Land Suitability Rating System was employed to evaluate and compare the land capability (LSRS rating) of three pipelines to that of adjacent reference capability. Pipeline‐reference differences were detected in the topsoil for soil organic carbon (83% of reference), calcium carbonate equivalent (62% higher), and pH (0.4 units higher), and in the subsoil for bulk density (2% higher) and electrical conductivity (a fivefold increase). Carbonates were observed more frequently on the pipelines than on references. Soil organic carbon increased and electrical conductivity decreased with time since construction. The mode of land capability was class 4 on the corridor and class 3 on references. Residual effects remained. Neither soil conservation and reclamation practices, nor natural recovery had yet achieved equivalent capability for the target soil group, representing 17% of the extent of the corridor.

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“…However, the current study findings of no significant difference were contrary to findings by Edwards et al (2014) which noted that mining infrastructure fragments and degrades natural habitat through the creation of roads. Another study conducted by Cui et al (2009) and Janz et al (2019) found out that disturbances can have immediate and persistent or long-lasting effects with slow recovery times on vegetation. The results are also contrary to UNEP (1997), Epstein and Selber (2002), Kumpula et al (2011), OGP/IPIECA (2011) and Kamara et al (2019) whose findings indicated that natural resource extraction of oil and gas exploration had well documented impacts on wildlife as well as vegetation.…”

Section: Vegetation Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of vegetation in Murchison falls national park five years after the completion of oil and gas exploration

Akisiimire¹,

Tinzaara²,

Tumwebaze³

et al. 2022

eajbcs

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Uganda discovered petroleum deposits in commercially viable quantities in 2006. Most areas such as Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP) where petroleum has been discovered overlap with wildlife and nature conservation with high biodiversity and sensitive ecosystems. This study sought to study the vegetation frequency index, relative abundance and diversity in former oil pads five years after the completion of oil and gas exploration in MFNP. We counted all observed plant species following a systematic random sampling technique using a (1mx1m) quadrat for herbs, (5mx5m) quadrat for shrubs, and (10mx10m) quadrat for trees. Data was collected using a 60m line transect to record the identified plant species. The study used a total of eight quadrats per transect and the total number of transects were 32. A quadrat was placed every after 7m along the line transect in and outside the oil pads. Each transect begun from the center (placard) of the oil pad going in directions of center to north, center to south, center to east, and center to west. This was carried out for purposes of replication and the same procedure was carried out for the control area. The same procedure was conducted at a frequency of wet (4th-30th April 2019) and dry (1st-30th June 2019) seasons. The counted data was later transformed and analyzed using t-statistical tests and chi- square tests in SPSS version 20 software. The study recorded uniform and non-uniform plant species and the mean vegetation diversity of 1.9±0.06 in oil pads and 1.71±0.12 in control areas. The study identified 31 different plant species, and among these, seven plant species were recorded in oil pads, eight in control areas. The results of vegetation relative abundance and diversity between oil pads and control areas were generally similar. However, the study observed some plant species such as Desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) in control areas that were completely absent in oil pads. Further studies focusing on edaphic assessments, soil chemical, and biological analysis to better understand the impacts of oil exploration in the protected area are recommended.

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Soil quality and land capability of reclaimed oil and gas well pads in southern Alberta: long-term legacy effects

Cited by 16 publications

References 28 publications

Effects of soil treatments and tree species on reforestation of well pads

Effects of soil treatments and tree species on reforestation of well pads

Residual effects of pipeline construction on agricultural soils of the Canadian prairie

Assessment of vegetation in Murchison falls national park five years after the completion of oil and gas exploration

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