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Revegetation of a Brine‐killed Forest Site
Author(s) -
Auchmoody L. R.,
Walters R. S.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1988.03615995005200010049x
Subject(s) - herbaceous plant , brine , revegetation , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , vegetation (pathology) , logging , forestry , geology , agronomy , ecology , ecological succession , geography , biology , chemistry , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , medicine , pathology
Natural invasion of herbaceous plants and forest tree seedlings on a brine‐killed forest site in northwestern Pennsylvania was evaluated over a 4‐yr period. Brine generated from producing oil wells and accidently discharged to the soil of an Allegheny hardwood stand killed all of the vegetation it contacted, leaving the site unproductive and a visual nuisance. Once the brine source was eliminated, heavy spring rains quickly reduced brine concentrations in the soil to below toxic levels, allowing invasion of vegetation to proceed rapidly. Herbaceous plants and tree seedlings became established in the first year, and by Year 2 the site had regenerated naturally to full stocking with a desirable mix of forest trees. Results show that forest sites damaged by brine from oil wells can heal rapidly without mitigative treatment if the brine source is removed and there is abundant precipitation to flush the soil.