Research Portal

Geoscience » Source Rock & Depositional Environment

Central Atlantic Paleo-Oceans and Climates (CAPOC) (part of the PAGEO research program)

December 2020 – December 2022

CAPOC aims to develop the first integrated and high resolution biostratigraphic and isotopic proxy correlation for key intervals of the Jurassic/Cretaceous across the Central Atlantic conjugate margin.

Geoscience » Source Rock & Depositional Environment

Palaeobathymetry and Tectonic Evolution of Lower Jurassic Source Rocks of the Conjugate Nova Scotia-Moroccan Margins (part of the PAGEO research program)

December 2020 – July 2022

This project will address key questions related to the formation processes, structure and subsidence history of the Nova Scotia rifted margin, which are relevant to constrain the Upper Triassic to Jurassic palaeogeography and petroleum systems offshore Nova Scotia.

Geoscience » Source Rock & Depositional Environment

A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Paleobiogeographic Data to Constrain the Timing of Oceanic Connections between the Atlantic, Tethyan, and Pacific domains (part of the PAGEO research program)

November 2020 – May 2022

This project is based on a large-scale collection of previously generated Jurassic and Early Cretaceous nannofossil biostratigraphic data and aims to apply both traditional micropaleontological methods and modern data science methodologies to the in-depth analysis of that large dataset.

Development of High Performance Tidal Turbine Rotors

January 2013 – October 2015

This research investigated and informed novel and cost-effective engineering solutions to extract and deliver energy from tidal flows.

Geoscience » Seismic & Marine Sound

Establishment of Baseline Biological Data on Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) Offshore Cape Breton for Future Assessment of Potential Impacts of Seismic Noise on Snow Crab

April 2012 – February 2015

The study investigates the impact of sound energy generated by acoustic/seismic arrays on snow crabs.

Assessing Marine Mammal Presence in and near the FORCE Crown Lease Area during Winter and Early Spring

October 2013 – February 2015

This study closes the winter/spring baseline data gap via deployments of multiple, calibrated C-PODs and an icListenHF hydrophone, for the deepest sites at the FORCE Lease Area.

Seasonal Erodibility of Sediment in the Upper Bay of Fundy

February 2012 – January 2015

This project developed methods for studying sedimentation to the macro-tidal flats of the upper Bay of Fundy. The researchers looked at seasonal variation in the erodibility of sediments in tidal creeks and flats using a Gust Erosion Chamber and repeated grain size surveys.

Marine Renewable Energy: Background Report To Support a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Cape Breton Coastal Region, inclusive of the Bras D’Or Lakes

June – December 2012

In 2011 following a competitive request for proposal process, OERA commissioned AECOM’s Halifax office to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for marine renewable energy in Cape Breton.

Tidal Energy Resource Assessment Map for Nova Scotia

March – October 2012

This project used numerical simulations and theoretical calculations to predict not only the power that can be extracted from the flow through a passage but also the reduction in flow through the passage.

A Framework for Environmental Risk Assessment and Decision-Making for Tidal Energy Development in Canada

March – May 2012

There is still a high degree of uncertainty regarding the environmental implications of in-stream tidal energy initiatives. This report outlines a science-based environmental risk assessment and decision-making framework for the emergent in-stream tidal energy industry.