Use of Laboratory Toxicity Data for Evaluating the Environmental Acceptability of Produced Water Discharge to Surface Waters

Mount, David R.; Drottar, Kurt; Gulley, D. D.; Fillo, J.P.; O’Neil, Patrick E.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-2902-6_14

Cited by 12 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…To test the models with more field-relevant ion compositions, additional toxicity tests were conducted on synthetic waters patterned after effluents and surface waters with anthropogenic elevations of major ions. Various published data [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] and some unpublished data of the authors were examined and used to formulate 10 test waters that encompassed the range of variability observed for cation and anion ratios from these sources and which were feasible to prepare in the laboratory. Table 1 provides the fractional cation and anion concentrations (on a molar basis) in these "field-based mixtures."…”

Section: Model Parameterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The acute toxicity of major ion salts to Ceriodaphnia dubia. III. Mathematical models for mixture toxicity

Erickson

Mount

Highland

et al. 2017

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Based on previous research on the acute toxicity of major ions (Na þ , K þ , Ca 2þ , Mg 2þ , Cl -, SO 4 2-, and HCO 3 -/CO 3 2-) to Ceriodaphnia dubia, a mathematical model was developed for predicting the median lethal concentration (LC50) for any ion mixture, excepting those dominated by K-specific toxicity. One component of the model describes a mechanism of general ion toxicity to which all ions contribute and predicts LC50s as a function of osmolarity and Ca activity. The other component describes Mg/Ca-specific toxicity to apply when such toxicity exceeds the general ion toxicity and predicts LC50s as a function of Mg and Ca activities. This model not only tracks well the observed LC50s from past research used for model development but also successfully predicts LC50s from new toxicity tests on synthetic mixtures of ions emulating chemistries of various ion-enriched effluents and receiving waters. It also performs better than a previously published model for major ion toxicity. Because of the complexities of estimating chemical activities and osmolarity, a simplified model based directly on ion concentrations was also developed and found to provide useful predictions.

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Section: Model Parameterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The acute toxicity of major ion salts to Ceriodaphnia dubia. III. Mathematical models for mixture toxicity

Erickson

Mount

Highland

et al. 2017

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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“…Other sources of toxicity include major ion imbalances, hydrocarbons, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide (Boelter et al 1992;Sauer et al 1997;Elias-Samlalsingh et al 2004). Gulley et al (1992) and Mount et al (1992) found that toxicity resulting from major ion salinity could be accurately predicted and accounted for using statistically-derived ion toxicity models. Due to concerns regarding increasing discharges of oil field produced waters, statistical models of major ion toxicity to Pimephales promelas, Daphnia magna, and Ceriodaphnia dubia have been developed to predict toxicity resulting from exposure to saline waters .…”

Section: Task 20 -Toxicity Identification Evaluation Of Produced Watmentioning

confidence: 99%

Field Validation of Toxicity Tests to Evaluate the Potential for Beneficial Use of Produced Water

Bidwell¹,

Fisher²,

Cooper³

2013

The Effects of Induced Hydraulic Fracturing on the Environment

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This study investigated potential biological effects of produced water contamination derived from occasional surface overflow and possible subsurface intrusion at an oil production site along the shore of Skiatook Lake, Oklahoma. We monitored basic chemistry and acute toxicity to a suite of standard aquatic test species (fathead minnowPimephales promelas, Daphnia pulex, Daphnia magna, and Ceriodaphnia dubia) in produced water and in samples taken from shallow groundwater wells on the site. Toxicity identification evaluations and ion toxicity modeling were used to identify toxic constituents in the samples. Lake sediment at the oil production site and at a reference site were also analyzed for brine intrusion chemically and by testing sediment toxicity using the benthic invertebrates, Chironomus dilutus, and Hyallela azteca. Sediment quality was also assessed with in situ survival and growth studies with H. azteca and the Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea, and by benthic macroinvertebrate community sampling.The produced water was acutely toxic to the aquatic test organisms at concentrations ranging from 1% to 10% of the whole produced water sample. Toxicity identification evaluation and ion toxicity modeling indicated major ion salts and hydrocarbons were the primary mixture toxicants. The standardized test species used in the laboratory bioassays exhibited differences in sensitivity to these two general classes of contaminants, which underscores the importance of using multiple species when evaluating produced water toxicity. Toxicity of groundwater was greater in samples from wells near a produced water injection well and an evaporation pond. Principle component analyses (PCA) of chemical data derived from the groundwater wells indicated dilution by lake water and possible biogeochemical reactions as factors that ameliorated groundwater toxicity. Elevated concentrations of major ions were found in pore water from lake sediments, but toxicity from these ions was limited to sediment depths of 10 cm or greater, which is outside of the primary zone of biological activity. Further, exposure to site sediments did not have any effects on test organisms, and macroinvertebrate communities did not indicate impairment at the oil production site as compared to a reference site. In situ experiments with H. azteca and C. fluminea, indicated a sublethal site effect (on growth of both species), but these could not be definitively linked with produced water infiltration. Severe weather conditions (drought followed by flooding) negatively influenced the intensity of lake sampling aimed at delineating produced water infiltration.Due to the lack of clear evidence of produced water infiltration into the sub-littoral zone of the lake, it was not possible to assess whether the laboratory bioassays of produced water effectively indicate risk in the receiving system. However, the acutely toxic nature of the produced water and general lack of biological effects in the lake at the oil production site suggest minimal to no produced w...

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“…Mount et al, (1992) determined that salinity also plays an important role in aquatic toxicity . These findings are consistent with other research suggesting that volatile organics, hydrogen sulfide, and salinity in varying combinations are the causes of toxicity (Schiff et al, 1992;Sauer et al, 1992).…”

Section: Produced Water Characterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treatment of Produced Oil and Gas Waters With Surfactant-Modified Zeolite

Katz¹,

Bowman²,

Sullivan³

2003

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Co-produced water from the oil and gas industry accounts for a significant waste stream in the United States. It is by some estimates the largest single waste stream in the country, aside from nonhazardous industrial wastes. Characteristics of produced water include high total dissolved solids content, dissolved organic constituents such as benzene and toluene, an oil and grease component, and chemicals added during the oilproduction process. While most of the produced water is disposed via reinjection, some must be treated to remove organic constituents before the water is discharged. Current treatment options are successful in reducing the organic content; however, they cannot always meet the levels of current or proposed regulations for discharged water. Therefore, an efficient, cost-effective treatment technology is needed. Surfactantmodified zeolite (SMZ) has been used successfully to treat contaminated ground water for organic and inorganic constituents. In addition, the low cost of natural zeolites makes their use attractive in water-treatment applications.This report summarizes the work and results of this four-year project. We tested the effectiveness of surfactant-modified zeolite (SMZ) for removal of BTEX with batch and column experiments using waters with BTEX concentrations that are comparable to those of produced waters. The data from our experimental investigations showed that BTEX sorption to SMZ can be described by a linear isotherm model, and competitive effects between compounds were not significant. The SMZ can be readily regenerated using air stripping. We field-tested a prototype SMZ-based water treatment system at produced water treatment facilities and found that the SMZ successfully removes BTEX from produced waters as predicted by laboratory studies. When compared to other existing treatment technologies, the cost of the SMZ system is very competitive. Furthermore, the SMZ system is relatively compact, does not require the storage of potentially hazardous chemicals, and could be readily adapted to an automated system. Final Technical ReportContract DE-AC26-99BC15221

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Use of Laboratory Toxicity Data for Evaluating the Environmental Acceptability of Produced Water Discharge to Surface Waters

Cited by 12 publications

References 3 publications

The acute toxicity of major ion salts to Ceriodaphnia dubia. III. Mathematical models for mixture toxicity

The acute toxicity of major ion salts to Ceriodaphnia dubia. III. Mathematical models for mixture toxicity

Field Validation of Toxicity Tests to Evaluate the Potential for Beneficial Use of Produced Water

Treatment of Produced Oil and Gas Waters With Surfactant-Modified Zeolite

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