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Title: Soil contamination by oil and gas drilling and production operations in Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, USA

Abstract

Soil samples from 18 oil and gas drilling and production sites located at Padre Island National Seashore were analyzed for contaminating substances associated with drilling fluids and petroleum products. The results of the investigation indicate that soil contamination from these sources is widspread and persistent but generally localized in the immediate vicinity of drilling and production activity. Sixteen sites were found to have elevated levels of four heavy metals (barium, chromium, lead, zinc), sodium, salinity, pH, and/or petroleum hydrocarbons. There was no discernible pattern of contamination between well sites, indicating the variability of methods and materials used in the drilling of individual wells and the occurrence of isolated spills and materials misuse. The levels of contaminating agents found do not represent immediate environmental threats, but the long-term cumulative effects of soil alteration and toxicants on organisms and habitats on the barrier island ecosystem is largely unknown. 31 refs., 3 figs., 4 tabs.

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Environmental Planning and Research, College Station, TX (United States)
  2. National Biological Service, Seattle, WA (United States)
  3. KEI Consultants Inc., Stafford, TX (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
458699
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of Environmental Management
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 45; Journal Issue: 3; Other Information: PBD: Nov 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
02 PETROLEUM; 03 NATURAL GAS; TEXAS; COASTAL REGIONS; OFFSHORE DRILLING; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; SOILS; CONTAMINATION; HYDROCARBONS; CHROMIUM; BARIUM; LEAD; PETROLEUM PRODUCTS; SALINITY; SODIUM; ZINC

Citation Formats

Carls, E G, Fenn, D B, and Chaffey, S A. Soil contamination by oil and gas drilling and production operations in Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, USA. United States: N. p., 1995. Web. doi:10.1006/jema.1995.0075.
Carls, E G, Fenn, D B, & Chaffey, S A. Soil contamination by oil and gas drilling and production operations in Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, USA. United States. https://doi.org/10.1006/jema.1995.0075
Carls, E G, Fenn, D B, and Chaffey, S A. 1995. "Soil contamination by oil and gas drilling and production operations in Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, USA". United States. https://doi.org/10.1006/jema.1995.0075.
@article{osti_458699,
title = {Soil contamination by oil and gas drilling and production operations in Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, USA},
author = {Carls, E G and Fenn, D B and Chaffey, S A},
abstractNote = {Soil samples from 18 oil and gas drilling and production sites located at Padre Island National Seashore were analyzed for contaminating substances associated with drilling fluids and petroleum products. The results of the investigation indicate that soil contamination from these sources is widspread and persistent but generally localized in the immediate vicinity of drilling and production activity. Sixteen sites were found to have elevated levels of four heavy metals (barium, chromium, lead, zinc), sodium, salinity, pH, and/or petroleum hydrocarbons. There was no discernible pattern of contamination between well sites, indicating the variability of methods and materials used in the drilling of individual wells and the occurrence of isolated spills and materials misuse. The levels of contaminating agents found do not represent immediate environmental threats, but the long-term cumulative effects of soil alteration and toxicants on organisms and habitats on the barrier island ecosystem is largely unknown. 31 refs., 3 figs., 4 tabs.},
doi = {10.1006/jema.1995.0075},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/458699}, journal = {Journal of Environmental Management},
number = 3,
volume = 45,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1995},
month = {Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1995}
}