Analysis of impacts: Produced waters in sensitive coastal habitats. Central coastal Gulf of Mexico
This study quantified the location and characteristics of outer continental shelf (OCS) produced waters discharged into coastal environments of the Gulf of Mexico and provided an assessment of the environmental fate and effects of selected discharges. An inventory of produced-water discharges based on records of regulatory agencies in Texas and Louisiana was compiled. The other Gulf states do not permit the discharge of produced water into surface waters. Three sites representing large volumes of OCS-generated produced water discharges and different hydrological conditions were selected for field assessment. Produced water contained elevated levels of dissolved and dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons, organic acids, and tract metals. Concentrations of the organic constituents may depend on the separation and treatment technologies employed. Substantial contamination of fine-grained bottom sediments with petroleum hydrocarbons was observed near the discharges at the three sites studied. General surveys at the three sites showed evidence of biological effects in terms of reduced density and diversity of macrobenthic organisms in contaminated sediments and the accumulation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the tissues of filter-feeding bivalves proximate to the discharge sites.
- Research Organization:
- Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Chauvin, LA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5340358
- Report Number(s):
- PB-89-235493/XAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
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Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COASTAL REGIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
CONTINENTAL SHELF
OFFSHORE DRILLING
GULF OF MEXICO
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
BRINES
ECOSYSTEMS
HABITAT
HYDROCARBONS
LOUISIANA
SALINITY
SAMPLING
SEDIMENTS
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS
TEXAS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARIBBEAN SEA
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
DRILLING
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RESOURCES
SEAS
USA
020900* - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects
030800 - Natural Gas- Environmental Aspects
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)