WWRC 92-07
Environmental Effects of Saline Oil-Field Discharges on Surface Waters
Abstract
Ambient water samples from streams receiving discharges of coproduced brines from the
Salt Creek oil field in Wyoming were collected and tested for toxicity from 1988 to 1990. Exposure
to waters downstream from the oil field significantly (P < 0.05) reduced survival and reproduction
of Ceriodaphnia dubia compared to the upstream control, but fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)
did not appear to be sensitive to the test conditions. Toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia increased
as stream flow decreased. Toxicity could not be attributed to H2S, trace metals, or nonpolar organic
compounds based on toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) methods. Major inorganic ions
(Na+,K+, Cl~, HCO3-, and CO32-)
appeared to account for the observed toxicity.
Keywords—Oil-field brines Ambient toxicity Ceriodaphnia dubia Fathead minnows
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