Effect of pipeline installation on crop yield and some biological properties of boreal soils

Abstract

Pipeline construction on the Grey soils of the Canadian boreal plains, which have a thin Ah horizon, could have considerable impact on their properties and productivity. This study was conducted because the effects of pipeline installation on crop yield and biological properties of these soils have not been well-documented. Soil was sampled from a Grey Luvisol and a Dark Grey Solod prior to pipeline construction in 1991, and in each of the following 3 yr. The right-of-way (RoW) was divided into three zones: a road (or work) area used for vehicular traffic; a trench where the pipeline was buried; and a pile (or spoil) area where soil was stockpiled during construction. The RoW was cropped to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in 1992 through 1994. Barley yield was low in 1992 (830–1120 kg ha−1), and near average (2050–3290 kg ha−1) in 1993 and 1994. Except for low shoot P concentration (1.1–1.3 mg g−1) in 1992, macronutrient concentrations (N, P and K) in barley tissues were within normal ranges. Soil organic carbon was reduced by 12–28% in all RoW areas in 1993 and 1994. Soil total N was reduced by 29–49% in all RoWs in 1992 and increased slightly from those levels in 1993 and 1994. Pipeline construction affected soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in the three RoW areas differently, and the effect was not consistent from year to year. However, the average level of MBC was not adversely impacted. In 1994, soil phosphatase activity in the RoW zones tended to be lower as compared to pre-pipeline installation, particularly in the pile area of the Dark Grey Solod. It is concluded that although some soil biological properties were degraded by pipeline construction, and barley yield was reduced in 1992, crop production in the following 2 yr was not significantly affected. Key words: Barley, carbon, microbial biomass, nitrogen, phosphatase, pipeline

Effect of subsoil tillage during pipeline construction activities on near‐term soil physical properties and crop yields in the right‐of‐way

“…As an inevitable consequence, installation of underground pipelines implicates extensive soil disturbance with adverse effects on soil physical properties through soil compaction and mixing of topsoil and subsoil because of construction right‐of‐way (ROW) activities (Naeth, McGill, & Bailey, 1987; Shi, Xiao, Wang, & Chen, 2014; Yu et al., 2010). Machinery‐induced excessive soil compaction reduces crop yield (Bell, 2010; Lowery & Schuler, 1991; Raper, Reaves, Shaw, van Santen, & Mask, 2005; Soon, Rice, Arshad, & Mills, 2000) through increases in soil bulk density and soil strength (Cambi et al., 2015; Kumar, Chen, Sadek, & Rahman, 2012; Lepilin, Laurén, Uusitalo, & Tuittila, 2019; Raper et al., 2005).…”

The effects of pipeline construction disturbance on soil properties and restoration cycle

“…In this study, the pH of the topsoil in the trench areas increased by about 0.2 units. Exchangeable Ca affected by the trenches has been reported to be strongly correlated with soil pH (Soon et al 2000b). During excavation, the calcareous matrix is dug from the subsoil, which liberates calcium ions and increases the soil pH (Coiffait-Gombault et al 2012).…”

“…During excavation, the calcareous matrix is dug from the subsoil, which liberates calcium ions and increases the soil pH (Coiffait-Gombault et al 2012). It is suggested that the topsoil bulk densities of the ROW areas may be significantly higher than those of undisturbed areas due to intense compaction by the traffic of heavy machinery (Soon et al 2000b). Soil porosity is reduced by pipeline installation, as bulk density is inversely related to porosity, which may decrease soil microbial activity and affect soil carbon and nitrogen cycling.…”

“…As part of the mitigation measures implemented during the construction, the topsoil was removed and stockpiled. However, this measure decreased the organic matter and nitrogen content of the soil because of enhanced Sites located north of the pipeline are indicated using N, while those located south of the pipeline were indicated using S AN alkali hydrolyzable nitrogen, AP available phosphorus, TN soil total nitrogen, TP total phosphorus, TK total potassium, TC soil total carbon, SOM soil organic matter a Significantly different within each row in the same depth (P<0.05) decomposition (Soon et al 2000b). The topsoil suffered much more disturbance than the subsoil due to soil horizon mixing, soil compaction, and topsoil removal (Yu et al 2010).…”

“…General soil properties such as pH, organic matter, and nitrogen are commonly used to assess soil disturbance. Soon et al (2000b) found that pipeline burial increased the soil pH and electrical conductivity. Soil compaction and topsoil removal during oil pipeline construction resulted in significant decreases in soil organic matter and nitrogen and phosphorous contents (Woodward 1996).…”