Effects of irrigation on crops and soils with Raft River geothermal water

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5778739· OSTI ID:5778739

Stanley, N E; Schmitt, R C

The Raft River Irrigation Experiment investigated the suitability of using energy-expended geothermal water for irrigation of selected field-grown crops. Crop and soil behavior on plots sprinkled or surface irrigated with geothermal water was compared to crop and soil behavior on plots receiving water from shallow irrigation wells and the Raft River. In addition, selected crops were produced, using both geothermal irrigation water and special management techniques. Crops irrigated with geothermal water exhibited growth rates, yields, and nutritional values similar to comparison crops. Cereal grains and surface-irrigated forage crops did not exhibit elevated fluoride levels or accumulations of heavy metals. However, forage crops sprinkled with geothermal water did accumulate fluorides, and leaching experiments indicate that new soils receiving geothermal water may experience increased salinity, exchangeable sodium, and decreased permeability. Soil productivity may be maintained by leaching irrigations.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-07-1570
• OSTI ID: 5778739
• Report Number(s): EGG-2005
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
IRRIGATION
THERMAL WATERS
WASTE WATER
USES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CROPS
FLUORIDES
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
LEACHING
PERMEABILITY
PLANT GROWTH
RAFT RIVER VALLEY
SALINITY
SOILS
TOXICITY
UPTAKE
WATER QUALITY
DISSOLUTION
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FLUIDS
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
GROWTH
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IDAHO
LIQUID WASTES
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
USA
WASTES
WATER
Geothermal Legacy
150600* - Geothermal Energy- Environmental Aspects
151000 - Geothermal Energy- Direct Energy Utilization