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Title: Imperial Valley Environmental Project: quarterly data report

Abstract

This is a catalog of all samples which have been collected and the presently available results of chemical and other analyses. Types covered include: air quality, water quality, ecosystem quality, subsidence and seismicity, remotely sensed data, socioeconomic effects, and measurements of radioactivity. (MHR)

Authors:
;  [1]
+ Show Author Affiliations
  1. (comps.)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
OSTI Identifier:
7305214
Report Number(s):
UCID-17444-1
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48; EY-76-C-03-1137
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY; GEOTHERMAL FIELDS; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; IMPERIAL VALLEY; BASELINE ECOLOGY; AIR QUALITY; CHEMICAL ANALYSIS; DATA COMPILATION; ECOSYSTEMS; GROUND SUBSIDENCE; RADIOACTIVITY; REMOTE SENSING; SEISMIC EFFECTS; SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS; WATER QUALITY; CALIFORNIA; ECOLOGY; NORTH AMERICA; USA; WESTERN REGION; Geothermal Legacy; 150600* - Geothermal Energy- Environmental Aspects

Citation Formats

Nyholm, R.A., and Anspaugh, L.R. Imperial Valley Environmental Project: quarterly data report. United States: N. p., 1977. Web. doi:10.2172/7305214.
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Nyholm, R.A., & Anspaugh, L.R. Imperial Valley Environmental Project: quarterly data report. United States. doi:10.2172/7305214.
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Nyholm, R.A., and Anspaugh, L.R. Wed . "Imperial Valley Environmental Project: quarterly data report". United States. doi:10.2172/7305214. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/7305214.
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@article{osti_7305214,
title = {Imperial Valley Environmental Project: quarterly data report},
author = {Nyholm, R.A. and Anspaugh, L.R.},
abstractNote = {This is a catalog of all samples which have been collected and the presently available results of chemical and other analyses. Types covered include: air quality, water quality, ecosystem quality, subsidence and seismicity, remotely sensed data, socioeconomic effects, and measurements of radioactivity. (MHR)},
doi = {10.2172/7305214},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Apr 13 00:00:00 EST 1977},
month = {Wed Apr 13 00:00:00 EST 1977}
}
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Technical Report:
View Technical Report (17.62 MB)
DOI:  10.2172/7305214
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  • ; ; ; ...
    The baseline air quality and meteorological data are gathered by the Imperial Valley Environmental Project from December 1976 through April 1978. The air quality data obtained at the six fixed locations are reported in the form of histograms; histograms and wind roses are presented of the meteorological data collected at the six sites. The air quality and meteorological data obtained by the mobile laboratory in the vicinity of the Heber KGRA are listed in a similar format. (MHR)

  • The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has been studying the feasibility of a Low Salinity Hydrothermal Demonstration Plant as part of its Geothermal Energy Program. The Heber area of the Imperial Valley was selected as one of the candidate geothermal reservoirs. Documentation of the environmental conditions presently existing in the Heber area is required for assessment of environmental impacts of future development. An environmental baseline data acquisition program to compile available data on the environment of the Heber area is reported. The program included a review of pertinent existing literature, interviews with academic, governmental and private entities, combined with fieldmore » investigations and meteorological monitoring to collect primary data. Results of the data acquisition program are compiled in terms of three elements: the physical, the biological and socioeconomic settings.« less

  • ; ;
    The potential impact on air quality of geothermal development in California's Imperial Valley is assessed. The assessment is based on the predictions of numerical atmospheric transport models. Emission rates derived from analyses of the composition of geothermal fluids in the region and meteorological data taken at six locations in the valley over a 1-yr period were used as input to the models. Scenarios based on 3000 MW, 2000 MW, 500 MW, and 100 MW of power production are considered. Hydrogen sulfide is the emission of major concern. Our calculations predict that at the 3000-MW level (with no abatement), the Californiamore » 1-h standard for H{sub 2}S(42 {mu}g/m{sup 3}) would be violated at least 1% of the time over an area of approximately 1500 km{sup 2} (about 1/3 of the valley area). The calculations indicate that an H{sub 2}S emission rate below 0.8 g/s per 100-MW unit is needed to avoid violations of the standard beyond a distance of 1 km from the source. Emissions of ammonia, carbon dioxide, mercury, and radon are not expected to produce significant ground level concentrations, nor is the atmospheric conversion of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur dioxide expected to result in significant SO{sub 2} levels.« less

  • ;
    Progress is reported in six areas of research: air quality, water quality, ecosystem quality, subsidence and seismicity, socioeconomic effects, and integrated assessment. A major goal of the air quality element is to evaluate the rate of emission of H/sub 2/S, CO/sub 2/, H/sub 2/, N/sub 2/, CH/sub 4/, and C/sub 2/H/sub 6/ from the operation of the geothermal loop experimental facility at Niland. Concentrations of H/sub 2/S were found to vary between 1500 to 4900 ppM by volume at the Niland facility. To distinguish between geothermal fluids and other waters, extensive sampling networks were established. A major accomplishment was themore » installation of a high-resolution subsidence-detection network in the Salton Sea geothermal field area, centered on the test facility at Niland. A major effort went into establishing a background of data needed for subsequent impact assessments related to socioeconomic issues raised by geothermal developments. Underway are a set of geothermal energy scenarios that include power development schedules, technology characterizations, and considerations of power-plant-siting criteria. A Gaussian air-pollution model was modified for use in preliminary air-quality assessments. A crop-growth model was developed to evaluate impacts of gases released from geothermal operations on various agricultural crops. Work is also reported on the legal analysis of geothermal legislation and the legal aspects of water-supply utilization. Remote sensing was directed primarily at the Salton Sea, Heber, Brawley, and East Mesa KGRAs. However, large-format photography of the entire Salton Trough was completed. Thermal and multispectral imaging was done for several selected sites in the Salton Sea KGRA. (JGB)« less

  • This report presents a portion of the results from a one-year feasibility study sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to assess the feasibility of constructing a 25-50 MWe geothermal power plant using low salinity hydrothermal fluid as the energy source. The impact of power generation from hydrothermal resources on subsurface water flow, seismicity and subsidence are of acute interest in the determination of the environmental acceptance of geothermal energy. At the same time, the experience and data bases in these areas are very limited. The objective of the project was to assess the technical, geotechnical, environmental and economicmore » feasibility of producing electricity from hydrothermal resources like those known to exist in the US. The objective of this part of the study was to investigate the geotechnical aspects of geothermal power generation and their relationship to environmental impacts in the Imperial Valley of California. This report discusses geology, geophysics, hydrogeology, seismicity and subsidence in terms of the availability of data, state-of-the-art analytical techniques, historical and technical background and interpretation of current data. it also discusses estimates of the impact of these geotechnical factors on the environment in the Imperial Valley, if geothermal development proceeds.« less