Presentation
- 1. Michael A. Slotten EXAMINATION OF WATERFOWL NESTING AND WATER CHEMISTY OVER VARYING GRADIENTS OF OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION IN NORTH WEST NORTH DAKOTA, U.S.A.
- 2. • One of the most recent discussions between ecosystem functions and anthropogenic pressures in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) involves the interactions between waterfowl life cycle processes and the recent growth of oil and gas extraction in the Bakken Formation and Williston Basin. • To better understand this interaction we examined duck nesting, wetland basin water chemistry, and oil and gas extraction levels within three counties of North West North Dakota. Introduction
- 3. • PPR is overlaid on the northeastern half of the Williston Basin and Bakken Formation. • The Williston Basin is a large intracratonic sedimentary basin that is spread across western North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota, and Saskatchewan with rich deposits of petroleum (Gibson 1995). Intro: Geographic Setting Map courtesy: United States Geologic Survey
- 4. Intro: Geographic Setting • 30,000 oil and gas related wells were permitted and drilled from approximately 1901 to 2011. • A proximity analysis performed in 2014 by the United States Geologic Survey identified about one-third of all wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region part of the Williston Basin are located within 1.6 km of oil and gas wells (Gleason et al., 2014).
- 5. Objectives of the Study
- 6. Experimental Design- Site Selection Map Courtesy: Ducks Unlimited Inc.
- 7. • Thresholds and time lags in effects of energy development on greater sage- grouse populations by Harju et al. (2010) found it could take up to ten years for the ecological effects of energy development to be apparent. • Control category sites had no well pads within four-square mile area. High category sites had >3 well pads within four-square mile area (general range was 4-29 well pads). Experimental Design- Site Selection
- 8. • In this analysis we utilized two scientific examination techniques: ▫ Objective 1. Index of biological integrity (IBI)- We selected dabbling ducks of the designated region to analyze biological activity within each water body and surrounding nesting site. ▫ Objective 2. Chemical water testing- examined trace elements (focusing on heavy metals), conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, and nitrite within each wetland basin. Experimental Design- Materials & Methods
- 9. • Nest dragged 80-acres upland nesting parcels at 28 sites, every 5-7 days to assess waterfowl nest abundance and survival. Objective 1: Duck Nesting Research Photo Courtesy: Delta Waterfowl Foundation
- 10. • Took field measurements with multi-meter probe. • Collected 2 samples per basin and 5 basins per 4-square mile plot. • Conducted ICP examination on 22 elements during laboratory analysis. Objective 2: Water Chemistry Analysis
- 11. • Water chemistry analysis discovered correlations between high activity areas and contaminated wetland basins. • t-tests found statistical significance with elevated levels of Ca, Mg, K, and Zn at high vs. control sites with nearly statistical significance with Mn, Na, and P. • Cd, Cr, Pb, Mb, Ni were not detected in any samples. Results- Water Chemistry Analysis
- 12. • One of the 48 sites contained excessive levels of Ca, Cu, Mg, Na, Zn, and Al. Results- Water Chemistry Analysis
- 13. • Aquatic vegetation survey was conducted on 1 high and 1 control plot. • Invertebrate Inventory • Waterfowl tissue harvesting Discussion & Perspectives Leucism or leukism
Editor's Notes
- #3: How presentation will benefit audience: Adult learners are more interested in a subject if they know how or why it is important to them. Presenter’s level of expertise in the subject: Briefly state your credentials in this area, or explain why participants should listen to you.
- #4: Example objectives At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: Save files to the team Web server. Move files to different locations on the team Web server. Share files on the team Web server.
- #6: Lesson descriptions should be brief.
- #7: Examined the effects of high and control gradients of oil and gas disturbance in 48 wetland basins located within 4-square mile nesting plots.
- #8: (Flow-back is a water based solution that flows back to the surface during and after the completion of hydraulic fracturing.) (produced water is found in shale formations that flows to the surface throughout the entire lifespan of the gas well. This water has high levels of TDS and leaches out minerals from the shale including barium, calcium, iron and magnesium.)
- #13: The source of this sodium in largely unknown but two viable sources to be considered are salt water injection through the process of hydraulic fracturing and dissolved mineral material that can make water highly saline. The dissolved mineral matter in water depends on the types and amounts of minerals that make up the soil and rocks through which the water moves, as well as climatic situation. The longer the time that the water is in contact with the rocks, the more mineralized the water becomes (Paulson, 1983).
- #14: Leucism, or leukism