By Scout Nelson
North Dakota's state motto, “Strength from the Soil,” highlights the importance of healthy soil to communities, agriculture, and the economy. Soil provides the foundation for plant growth and supports farming, wildlife, and natural resources. However, energy development activities, including oil and gas production, pipeline installation, and coal mining, can disturb the land. Restoring affected soil is important to help plants grow and maintain productive landscapes.
Tom DeSutter, University Distinguished Professor of Soil Science at North Dakota State University (NDSU), leads research that explores how disturbed soil can return to a healthy and productive condition. His team works with energy companies, government agencies, reclamation specialists, and landowners to improve soil restoration methods. The research also supports education and workforce development across North Dakota.
Soil reclamation is the process of restoring damaged or disturbed land so it can support plant growth and perform important natural functions. DeSutter's team focuses on accidental oil and produced water releases, soil management after pipeline installation, and land recovery after coal mining. These activities can affect soil quality and often require new plants to be established.
“To me, it means that our cultures and economies depend on healthy, functioning, and productive soils,” DeSutter said.
North Dakota's agriculture and oil and gas industries together generate more than $90 billion in economic impact. Because these industries depend on land and natural resources, soil reclamation research can benefit both. Better restoration practices help protect farmland, support plant growth, and reduce the lasting effects of energy development.
“The linkages between agriculture and the energy industries are strong, and they impact one another,” DeSutter said. “Our research programs have focused on utilizing the principles of science and theory, and also empowering our stakeholders with new knowledge through Extension and classroom education so that more in-depth questions about reclamation can be asked, which will then improve the overall process of soil reclamation.”
NDSU researchers conduct field studies in several locations, including the Bakken and Three Forks geological formations in western North Dakota. These formations are distinct layers of rock that help geologists identify and study the ground beneath the surface.
Much of the field research takes place in McKenzie, Williams, and Dunn counties, which are among North Dakota's top three oil- and gas-producing counties. Pipelines and other energy infrastructure are common throughout the region, making effective reclamation important for landowners and public land users.
NDSU natural resources graduate student Amanda Jenkins highlights the need for responsible land management.
“In western North Dakota, pipelines are everywhere,” said NDSU natural resources graduate student Amanda Jenkins. “If you’re a land owner or someone who enjoys public lands, ensuring that good reclamation practices are in place and that operating companies are doing what they can to put these disturbed areas back while also safely transporting products is for the benefit of all.”
Not all soils respond to disturbance in the same way. Soil properties can affect how restoration works, so reclamation methods must fit the conditions at each site. One important factor is clay mineralogy, which describes the types and properties of clay minerals in soil.
DeSutter's team studies how clay mineralogy can help reclamation specialists choose suitable methods and determine how restoration should proceed.
The team studies which plants can survive in salty soil and whether certain plants can help remove salt from affected areas. Finding suitable plants is important because successful reclamation often depends on restoring vegetation.
Effective soil restoration starts with understanding how the soil functions before disturbance. Researchers and land managers then identify goals for bringing soil productivity back to its earlier level.
“The most important aspect is understanding soil function prior to disturbance and then outlining the goals of reclamation to again achieve pre-disturbance levels of soil productivity,” DeSutter said. “Once these have been identified, then the choice of reclamation and monitoring can be decided upon. The ‘how’ varies and depends on risks to surface- and groundwater quality, landscape position, depth of impacted soils, availability of resources, and estimated costs.”
This approach helps land managers select methods based on the needs and risks of each site. Monitoring is also important because it shows whether restoration efforts are working and whether further action is needed.
NDSU's reclamation advisory group brings together landowners, industry representatives, reclamation specialists, and state and federal partners. The group helps guide research, Extension programs, and educational activities to ensure that the work addresses practical needs.
“The RAG has had a significant impact on helping NDSU move reclamation strategies forward for our stakeholders,” he stated.
The research team also works with NDSU Extension Livestock Environmental Stewardship Specialist Miranda Meehan to share research findings and extend their benefits to more people.
These partnerships also help graduate students build professional connections and prepare for careers in North Dakota. DeSutter says about 70% of his graduate students manage the soils of North Dakota in some way. Their work helps meet the state's need for skilled soil professionals.
“Advances in ideas and technology will continue to be a part of our research successes,” DeSutter said. “Doing research for the sake of doing research is fun, but conducting research is much more rewarding when you have impact.”
Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, Education