Soil and plant responses from land application of saline-sodic waters: Implications of management

Journal Article · Mon Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 2008 · Journal of Environmental Quality

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2007.0442· OSTI ID:21107515

Vance, G F; King, L A; Ganjegunte, G K ^[1]

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1. University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States). Department for Renewable Resources

Land application of co-produced waters from coalbed natural gas (CBNG) wells is one management option used in the Powder River Basin (PRB) of Wyoming and Montana. Unfortunately the co-produced CBNG waters may be saline and/or sodic. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of irrigation with CBNG waters on soils and plants in the PRB. Soil properties and vegetation responses resulting from 1 to 4 yr of saline sodic water (electrical conductivity (EC) 1.6-4.8 dS m{sup -1} sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), 17-57 mmol L- applications were studied during 2003 and 2004 field seasons on sites (Ustic Torriorthent Haplocambid, Haplargid and Paleargid) representing native range grasslands seeded grass hayfields and alfalfa hayfields. Parameters measured from each irrigated site were compared directly with representative non-irrigated sites. Soil chemical and physical parameters including pH, EC, SAR, exchangeable sodium percent, texture, bulk density, infiltration and Darcy flux rates, were measured at various depth intervals to 120 cm. Mulitple-year applications of saline sodic water produced consistent trends of increased soil EC AND SAR values to depths of 30 cm reduced surface infiltration rates and lowered Darcy flux rates to 120 cm. Significant differences (p {le} 0.05) were determined between irrigated and non-irrigated areas for EC, SAR infiltration rates and Darcy flux (p {le} 0.10) at most sites. Saline sodic CBNG water applications significantly increased native perennial grass biomass production and cover on irrigated as compared with non-irrigated sites; however overall species evenness decreased. Biological effects were variable and complex reflecting site-specific conditions and water and soil management strategies.

• OSTI ID: 21107515
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Quality, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Quality Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 37; ISSN JEVQAA; ISSN 0047-2425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
03 NATURAL GAS
ALFALFA
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
COAL SEAMS
DEPTH
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
GRAMINEAE
IRRIGATION
METHANE
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OILS
PH VALUE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POWDER RIVER BASIN
SALINITY
SODIUM
USA
WASTE WATER
WATER USE