Research Portal

Whale Tails & Other Stories

June 2019 – December 2020

The Marine Mammal Observer Program studied the potential interactions between marine animals and Sustainable Marine Energy Canada’s floating tidal power platform located in Grand Passage, NS.  The Program also evaluated the effectiveness of various tools and equipment to detect, locate, and class

Geoscience » Tectonics and Crustal Structure

Paleogeographic Reconstruction and Source Rock De-Risking, Offshore Nova Scotia

February – November 2020

In this project GeoArctic modeled the tectonic evolution of the northern Central Atlantic to re-evaluate the syn-rift and early post-rift geological context of sedimentary basin formation.

Geoscience » Play Fairway Analyses Atlases 2010–Present

Greater North Atlantic Liassic Petroleum Systems Synthesis

October 2019 – February 2020

In the absence of definitive, direct evidence for a Liassic (i.e. Lower Jurassic) petroleum system offshore Nova Scotia, information is required on source rock analogs around the greater North Atlantic region.

Testing of 360-Degree Imaging Technologies for Improved Animal Detection around Tidal Energy Installations

May 2019 – February 2020

The research goal was to conduct a field study to test the performance of a new imaging camera system mounted on a floating tidal platform deployed in Grand Passage, Bay of Fundy.  Field testing featured testing of different camera mount locations on the platform in order to optimize field-of-vie

Using Radar to Evaluate Seabird Abundance and Habitat Use at the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy Site near Parrsboro, Nova Scotia

April – September 2018

Shore-based seabird surveys conducted at the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) in Parrsboro, NS, determine abundance, habitat use and potential risk to seabirds at the site.

Measuring the Acoustic Detection Range of Large Whales from an Ocean Glider to Improve an Acoustic Whale Alert System for use by the Offshore Marine Industry in Atlantic Canada

April 2017 – January 2018

Researchers investigated a novel and in-development passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) system for use as a marine mammal detection technique. The work builds on a current research initiative between Dalhousie University and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI).

3-D Acoustic Tracking of Fish, Sediment-Laden Ice and Large Wood Debris in the Minas Passage of the Bay of Fundy

October 2009 – December 2011

Researchers used VEMCO animal tracking technology to complete in-situ testing of the path, depth and velocity of fish and objects passing through the Minas Passage.

Geoscience » Seismic & Marine Sound

Physics of the Interaction between a Crab and a Seismic Test Pulse – Development of a Mathematical Model and Testing of Model via Simulation

June 2009 – September 2011

Experimental attempts to establish whether seismic testing has any impact on crabs and the crab fishery have been hampered by a lack of theoretical work on the subject.

Geoscience » Seismic & Marine Sound

Feasibility of a Marine Vibroseis System to Minimize Potential Impacts of Seismic Surveying on Commercial Marine Invertebrates

May 2010 – May 2011

Marine vibroseis (a sound generating system that uses a large oscillating mass to emit a range of frequencies) offers an alternative to air-gun seismic sources and may have fewer environmental effects on marine biota.

Geoscience » Play Fairway Analyses Atlases 2010–Present

Play Fairway Analysis Atlas

January 2011

The original Play Fairway Analysis completed in 2011 identified rich hydrocarbon potential offshore Nova Scotia, with unrisked 120TCF of gas and 8Bbbls of oil in place. This potential has diverse characteristics and scales, which are described in detail in the Atlas.