8
Effects of Heat from a Pipeline on Crop Growth - Interim Results
Gordon Dunn1, Lorne Carlson2, Gina Fryer1, Melissa Pockar2, 1 TERA Environmental Consultants, 2
Alliance Pipeline Limited Partnership
Abstract
Landowners expressed potential concerns to regulators about soil temperature effects
regarding the proposed Alliance pipeline. Their concerns included a potential lack of soil freezing
during the winter and adverse effects on crop growth and uniformity during the summer.
No published studies have previously addressed the effects of heat from pipelines on crop
growth. Consequently, Alliance commissioned a study in 2002 to assess pipeline heat effects on soil
temperature and crop growth along the Alliance 36” pipeline in central Alberta. The study was
designed to assess soil heating effects caused by the pipeline on crop growth, as well as the distance
downstream from compressor stations that soil heating effects are encountered.
Five locations were selected at varying distances downstream of compressor stations. Plant
establishment and productivity, as well as soil moisture and temperature, were monitored to
determine the degree of influence of heating on crop production and soil properties. Four sites were
under cultivation and one was native pasture. At each location, plant growth and soil moisture
parameters were collected from replicated square meter plots along three transects within each site.
Germination and seedling emergence data was collected at the beginning of the season. Percent
cover information was collected for the pasture location. Soil thermisters connected to data-loggers
continuously recorded soil temperature at various depths above the pipeline. Soil samples for
moisture analysis were collected monthly throughout the growing season. At maturity, square meter
samples were harvested for yield analysis. A discussion of the results from the 2002 and 2003
growing season monitoring studies will be presented.
8
Potential Causes and Solutions of Deep Compaction Resulting from Pipeline
Construction
Troy T. Meinke and Dean Wesley
Abstract
Alliance Pipeline L.P. (Alliance) constructed its pipeline facilities in 1999 and 2000 through
highly productive agricultural regions in the Midwest. Post-construction reclamation of the right-ofway to restore land productivity is one of the main concerns of Alliance’s landowners. As a result,
Alliance signed Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreements in all four states crossed by Alliance’s
system, and committed to a five-year crop monitoring program.
Although Alliance’s right-of-way restoration was largely successful, selected areas were
observed to have yield reductions greater than 40 percent on the construction right-of-way as
compared to adjacent undisturbed portions of cropland. Common problems observed on the rightof-way included ponding water, soil saturation, and stunted crops. Peer-reviewed reclamation
research was reviewed, and reclamation experts were consulted to identify potential causes for the
observed problems and subsequent yield reductions. As a result of this effort, Alliance identified
deep soil compaction as a potential primary cause of reduced crop productivity in certain geographic
areas.
Alliance is conducting an ongoing applied field study to identify areas that have deep soil
compaction and to evaluate crop yield responses to compaction alleviation using deep ripping.
Climatic conditions during Alliance’s construction seasons and physical soil properties will also be
correlated with compacted areas to identify risk factors that may have contributed to the occurrence
of deep soil compaction. A discussion of the results of this study will be presented.