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Impact of Oil Production Releases on Soil Chemical Properties at the Osage-Skiatook Petroleum Environmental Research Project SiteDon H. Kampbell1 Presented at the 9th International Petroleum Environmental
Conference Full Text of the Paper (pdf file .5 MB) Abstract A site characterization study was conducted at an old oil
production area where highest activity occurred during the 1930's. Two
site locations referred to as OSPER are along the shoreline of Skiatook
Lake northwest of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Crude oil and brine water releases
have impacted soils, surface and ground water, and the Oak cross-timber
ecosystem. Local effects include soil salinization with destruction of
plant cover and soil texture, and resultant deep erosion. Stress on affected
vegetation is prevalent, but some grass revegetation has occurred. Surface
soil samples and vertical profile cores to four feet have been collected
and analyzed for salinity, organic matter, petroleum hydrocarbons, texture,
nitrates, and dehydrogenase activity. Native grass re-establishment
was inversely related to soil salinity and extent of erosion. As expected
oil wastes increased the soil organic matter, greatly over surface controls
near 0.3%.. Natural soil nitrates were at a low level near 0.2 ppm, but
sufficient to support native grasses.
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