A joint research program was developed and implemented by the Alberta Research Council and Esso Resources Canada Limited to identify the impact of different loading rates of KCl, NaCl, and freshwater gel drilling wastes landspread on Luvisolic soils commonly occurring in the Cold Lake area.
Sump site selection and sampling for the purpose of locating a supply of waste for field application was completed. This was followed by plot site selection and preparation prior to waste application. The soils in each of the 45 individual plots were sampled prior to waste application to provide baseline information so that comparisons could be made to results of subsequent sampling events. A total of 77 soil samples were collected.
Following waste application the materials were incorporated into the top 15 cm of the soil using a tractor mounted rototiller unit . Brome grass was hand broadcast at the rate of 75 kg / ha and 300 kg/ha of 16-20-0 fertilizer was appl i ed . The plots were hand raked to incorporate the seed and fertilizer in t o t he so il surface.
The data for the physical and chemical properties, saturated paste extract analysis, and total elemental analysis for the pre-application soil samples are presented and some statistical analysis was completed. Similar data for the post-application soil/waste mixture properties are presented. The data indicate that pH levels and CaC0 3 equivalent values increased as a result of the addition of waste. In general, elemental content also increased as a result of waste addition.
Despite the fact that the bromegrass was not seeded until mid-July an excellent crop became established, particularly on the freshwater gel plots .