Vegetation Response to a Subsurface Crude Oil Spill on a Subarctic Right-of-way, Tulita (Fort Norman), Northwest Territories, Canada

Abstract

The plant species on a simulated pipeline corridor near Tulita (Fort Norman), Northwest Territories were studied prior to and for three years after an experimental point-spill of 3273 L (20 imperial barrels) of crude oil. Two distinct environments were examined: a cleared right-of-way (ROW) and a simulated pipeline trench. Each environment was subdivided on the basis of oil concentration into heavily oiled, lightly oiled, and unoiled sections. Total plant cover on the heavily oiled ROW declined by 73% in the first growing season; however, significant recovery took place in subsequent years. All other oiled environments had significant increases in total plant cover, but not until at least the second year after the spill. Of the 34 taxa identified, 13 declined significantly in abundance by the third growing season after the oil spill, mainly on the heavily oiled ROW. By the third post-spill growing season, mosses, Carex spp., Eriophorum spp., and agronomic grasses (Alopecurus arundinacea, Phleum pratense, Poa glauca and P. pratensis) had increased in abundance on at least one type of oiled substrate. However, the agronomic grasses, species sown on the Norman Wells pipeline, also declined significantly on the heavily oiled Trench. In contrast, the native grass Arctagrostis latifolia declined only on the heavily oiled ROW.