Environmental overview of geothermal development: the Geysers--Calitoga KGRA. Volume 5. Ecosystem quality

Technical Report · Wed Sep 13 04:00:00 EDT 1978

OSTI ID:6531102

Leitner, P

Objectives of the Geothermal Overview Project for this KGRA were identification of ecosystem issues, evaluation of the existing data base, and recommendation of additional research needed to resolve key issues. The issue of highest priority is the lack of complete and accurate data on the status and distribution of rare or endangered plants and animals within the KGRA. Several studies are recommended to provide adequate information: a KGRA-wide effort to identify rare plants and their habitats, a site-specific determination of peregrine falcon foraging habitat, and a compilation of available data on other wildlife species of special concern. Medium-priority issues include the possible impacts of hydrogen sulfide emissions on vineyard and orchard crops and the ecological effects of boron and heavy metals released from geothermal power plants in cooling tower drift. The potential for adverse effects is uncertain and research should be initiated promptly to determine whether these effluents pose serious problems. A third medium-priority issue concerns the potential for long-term cumulative impacts of geothermal development on natural ecosystems. To detect and evaluate such effects, it will be necessary to carry out additional baseline studies of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and to follow this with carefully designed monitoring programs. Several issues were given low priority in planning for additional research needs. For example, further studies of the biological effects of accidental spills of steam condensate and other potentially hazardous wastes are not recommended at this time; emphasis should be placed on spill prevention. Geothermal noise effects on wildlife have been studied within the KGRA; because of methodological problems, additional work would probably not be productive. Water vapor and aerosol emissions from cooling towers may affect agricultural operations by increasing the frequency of fogging and icing conditions.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6531102
• Report Number(s): UCRL-52496(Vol.5)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150600* -- Geothermal Energy-- Environmental Aspects
AEROSOLS
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
BASELINE ECOLOGY
CALIFORNIA
CHALCOGENIDES
COLLOIDS
COOLING TOWERS
DISPERSIONS
ECOLOGY
ECOSYSTEMS
ENDANGERED SPECIES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FLUIDS
GASES
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEYSERS GEOTHERMAL FIELD
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
KGRA
LAND POLLUTION
NATURAL STEAM
NOISE
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
POLLUTION
POWER GENERATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
SOLS
STEAM
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
USA
VAPORS
WATER VAPOR
WESTERN REGION