Coalbed Methane Development in Alabama. Biomonitoring of a Produced Water Discharge from the Cedar Cove Degasification Field, Alabama. Final Report June 1986-December 1988

摘要

Stream discharge of a produced water generated by the coalbed methane industry in Alabama was evaluated using instream biological studies in conjunction with whole effluent toxicity testing. Instream biological studies included development of a concentration-response model of chloride effects to benthic invertebrate communities and long-term monitoring of both benthic invertebrates and fishes in Little Hurricane Creek. Results of the instream work identified limiting values of chloride below which no significant effects to instream benthic invertebrate communities were observed. Additionally, results of long-term monitoring for 1 year during controlled discharge of the produced water, indicated no significant effects to communities of fishes and benthic invertebrates resulting from this particular water. Aquatic toxicity testing was conducted to determine acute and chronic endpoints for standard test species and species occurring in Little Hurricane Creek. Results of the aquatic toxicity tests indicated that chloride accounted for all of the acute toxicity observed in Ceriodaphnia sp. whereas some chronic toxicity to Ceriodaphnia sp. was not explainable by chloride alone. The source of this chronic toxicity, beyond that explainable by chloride, is unknown at this time. The study provides a significant source of data for use in managing the discharge of coalbed methane produced waters.