Oil shale, water resources, and valuable minerals of the Piceance Basin, Colorado: the challenge and choices of development. [Contains glossary]

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · U.S. Geol. Surv., Prof. Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5365443

Peck, D L

The Piceance basin of northwestern Colorado contains vast resources - large quantities of oil shale, valuable minerals, and water. The origin, abundance, and development of these resources are being studied by government, industry, and universities. Investigations indicate that the shale oil, minerals, and water occur together in complex relations that are only partly understood, and more intensive studies are needed if these resources are to be properly developed. Large-scale development of oil shale will require tremendous quantities of water. Unexplored ground-water reservoirs may be able to provide part of the required supplies. Because development may also affect the streams, ground water, and atmosphere, well-planned controls are needed. Proper resource development also will require close cooperation between industry and various levels of government. This paper was prepared by a variety of specialists within the US Geological Survey. Titles of the chapters are: General geology of the Piceance Basin; Origin of oil shale and associated minerals; Storehouse of energy minerals in the Piceance Basin; Development of the oil shale and associated minerals; Systematic joints within oil shales and associated rocks of the Green River Formation; Unconsolidated deposits of the Piceance Basin; Hydrologic system of the Piceance Basin; Suspended sediment in Piceance Creek; Water quality in Piceance Basin; appraisal of water quality in Piceance Creek using benthic invertebrates; Paleozoic and Mesozoic formations and their potential as groundwater reservoirs; Chemical effects and control of leachates from oil shale spoil piles; Chemical effects and control of wastes from, in-situ retorts; Effects of emissions from oil shale retorts to the atmosphere; and benefits, requirements and effects of different levels of oil shale development.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Denver, CO (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5365443
• Journal Information: U.S. Geol. Surv., Prof. Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: U.S. Geol. Surv., Prof. Pap.; (United States) Vol. 75:1310; ISSN XGPPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040200* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Reserves
Geology
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040900 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Waste management
041000 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Environmental Aspects
AIR POLLUTION
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
COLORADO
CONTROL
DISPERSIONS
DISSOLUTION
DISTILLATION EQUIPMENT
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOLOGY
GREEN RIVER FORMATION
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLOGY
LEACHATES
LEACHING
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MIXTURES
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SHALE DEPOSITS
OIL SHALES
ORIGIN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PICEANCE CREEK
PICEANCE CREEK BASIN
PLANNING
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCES
RETORTS
RIVERS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLUTIONS
SPENT SHALES
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WATER
WATER POLLUTION
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
WATER QUALITY
WATER REQUIREMENTS
WATER RESOURCES