Evaluating topsoil requirements in OSE pad reclamation and the use of biochar as a soil amendment

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Resource extraction in Alberta, Canada requires operators to reclaim land to equivalent land capability. For oil**sands well sites established after 1994, a minimum of 80% of pre-disturbance topsoil depth is required during**reclamation. Often suitable topsoil is in short supply due to loss or decomposition during stockpiling and it can**be a challenge to achieve this 80% target. In other parts of the world, studies have shown that reclamation of**arid and shrubby ecosystems can be successful with reduced topsoil depth, but more data is needed to develop**strategies to compensate for material shortages. A potential solution to shortages might be to build soils with**amendments like biochar, compost and peat. Biochar has recently been reported to optimize soil function in**both greenhouse and field studies . At their Cold Lake Operations, Imperial Oil initiated a replicated**experiment in 2015 to determine if shallow topsoil placement alone or with organic matter rich soil**amendments (peat and biochar) will produce suitable soil conditions for sustainable reclamation. This project**will provide an answer to whether or not less topsoil and organic matter amendments can perform as well as**the current required standard of 80% topsoil depth.