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Effects of Produced Water on Soil Characteristics, Plant Biomass, and Secondary Metabolites
Author(s) -
Burkhardt Andy,
Gawde Archana,
Cantrell Charles L.,
Baxter Holly L.,
Joyce Blake L.,
Stewart C. Neal,
Zheljazkov Valtcho D.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2015.06.0299
Subject(s) - biomass (ecology) , environmental science , environmental chemistry , chemistry , agronomy , biology
The Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana contains the United States’ largest coal reserve. The area produces large amounts of natural gas through extraction from water‐saturated coalbeds. Determining the impacts of coalbed natural gas‐produced efflux water on crops is important when considering its potential use as supplemental irrigation water. We hypothesized that coalbed natural gas water, because of its high salinity and sodicity, would affect plant secondary metabolism (essential oils) and biomass accumulation. A 2‐yr field study was conducted in Wyoming to investigate the effects of produced water on two traditional bioenergy feedstocks—corn ( Zea mays L.) and switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.)—and four novel biofuel feedstock species—spearmint ( Mentha spicata L.), Japanese cornmint ( Mentha canadensis L.), lemongrass [ Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) J.F. Watson]), and common wormwood ( Artemisia vulgaris L.). The four nontraditional feedstock species were chosen because they contain high‐value plant chemicals that can offset production costs. Essential oil content was significantly affected by coalbed natural gas water in lemongrass and spearmint. Oil content differences between two spearmint harvests in the same year indicated that there were significant changes between the growth stage of the plant and essential oil content; the first harvest averaged 0.42 g of oil per 100 g biomass while the second harvest (harvested before flowering) yielded only 0.19 g oil per 100 g dry biomass. Results indicated that produced water can be used for short‐period (2 yr) irrigation of crops. However, prolonged use of untreated produced water for irrigation would likely have deleterious long‐term effects on the soil and plants unless the water was treated or diluted (mixed) with good‐quality water. Core Ideas The Powder River Basin (PRB) contains the largest US coal reserve. PRB produces large amounts of natural gas and co‐produced water (PW). PW effects on crops with dual utilization (essential oil and ethanol) and soil are elucidated. Essential oil, ethanol yield, and soil properties were affected by PW. PW can be used for 2‐yr irrigation of double utilization crops in semiarid climates.