Summary and results of the comprehensive environmental monitoring program at the INEL's Raft River geothermal site
The Raft River Geothermal Program was designed to demonstrate that moderate temperature (approx. 150/sup 0/C) geothermal fluids could be used to generate electricity and provide an alternate energy source for direct-use applications. The environmental program was initiated soon after drilling began. The major elements of the monitoring program were continued during the construction and experimental testing of the 5-MW(e) power plant. The monitoring studies established pre-development baseline conditions of and assessed changes in the physical, biological, and human environment. The Physical Environmental Monitoring Program collected baseline data on geology, subsidence, seismicity, meteorology and air quality. The Biological Environmental Monitoring Program collected baseline data on the flora and fauna of the terrestrial ecosystem, studied raptor disturbances, and surveyed the aquatic communities of the Raft River. The Human Environmental Monitoring Program surveyed historic and archaeological sites, considered the socioeconomic environment, and documented incidences of fluorosis in the Raft River Valley. In addition to the environmental monitoring programs, research on biological direct applications using geothermal water was conducted at Raft River. Areas of research included biomass production of wetland and tree species, aquaculture, agricultural irrigation, and the use of wetlands as a treatment or pretreatment system for geothermal effluents.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-76ID01570
- OSTI ID:
- 6777992
- Report Number(s):
- EGG-M-29082; CONF-821215-13; ON: DE83005583
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: DOE environmental protection information meeting, Denver, CO, USA, 7 Dec 1982
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
RAFT RIVER VALLEY
AIR QUALITY
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
BASELINE ECOLOGY
GEOLOGY
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
METEOROLOGY
MONITORING
POWER RANGE 1-10 MW
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
SEISMICITY
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
ECOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION X
IDAHO
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NORTH AMERICA
POWER PLANTS
RESOURCES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
Geothermal Legacy
150600* - Geothermal Energy- Environmental Aspects
150800 - Geothermal Power Plants