CHANGES IN SOIL PROPERTIES AND CROP PRODUCTION DUE TO PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION

Trenching and backfilling during pipeline construction disturb the soil, causing temporary or permanent changes in edaphic conditions that may influence plant growth and crop yields. Three edaphic and crop production studies are a part of the Right-of-Way Research Program being conducted by Argonne National Laboratory for the Gas Research Institute. Study sites are located in Beaver County, Oklahoma; Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, Illinois; and Midland County, Michigan. Soil profiles from the pipe ditch, working side, and an adjacent undisturbed area are sampled, analyzed, and compared, using accepted methods. Wheat and grain sorghum yields were also measured at the Beaver County site. Results indicate that (1) pipe-ditch soils can differ significantly from adjacent undisturbed soil in bulk density, particle-size distribution, and available moisture capacity and (2) organic matter and plant nutrients are redistributed in the new pipe-ditch soil. Properties of the new pipe-ditch soil reflect the concentrations and relative volumes of the soil horizons in the adjacent undisturbed soil. These altered edaphic conditions have not caused a decline in soil productivity or crop yields. Data from these studies provide a better understanding of the changes that can occur in pipe-ditch soils because of pipeline construction and can be used in responding to concerns of regulatory agencies and ROW owners.

• Corporate Authors:

  Argonne National Laboratory

  9700 South Cass Avenue
  Argonne, IL  United States  60439
• Authors:
  • ZELLMER, S D
  • TAYLOR, J D
  • JOHNSON, D O
• Publication Date: 1989

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 18 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bulk density; Construction sites; Crops; Ditches; Pipelines; Plants; Productivity; Properties of materials; Right of way (Land); Soil horizon; Soil water; Soils
• Uncontrolled Terms: Particle size distribution; Soil properties
• Geographic Terms: Illinois; Michigan; Oklahoma
• Old TRIS Terms: Nutrient content
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Pipelines; Terminals and Facilities; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00493986
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: CONF-8905186-1
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 30 1990 12:00AM