The Potential Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems from the Release of Trace Elements in Geothermal Fluids [electronic resource].
- Published
- Washington, D.C. : United States. Dept. of Energy, 2000.
Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy - Physical Description
- 28 pages : digital, PDF file
- Additional Creators
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, United States. Department of Energy, and United States. Department of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information
Access Online
- Restrictions on Access
- Free-to-read Unrestricted online access
- Summary
- Geothermal energy will likely constitute an increasing percentage of our nation's future energy ''mix,'' both for electrical and nonelectrical uses. Associated with the exploitation of geothermal resources is the handling and disposal of fluids which contain a wide variety of potentially toxic trace elements. We present analyses of 14 trace elements found in hydrothermal fluids from various geothermal reservoirs in the western United States. The concentrations of these elements vary over orders of magnitude between reservoirs. Potential impacts are conservatively assessed on the basis of (1) toxicity to freshwater biota, and (2) bioaccumulation in food fish to the point where consumption might be hazardous to human health. Trace element concentrations generally range from benign levels to levels which might prove toxic to freshwater biota and contaminate food fisheries. We stress the need for site-specific analyses and careful handling of geothermal fluids in order to minimize potential impacts.
- Report Numbers
- E 1.99:ornl/tm-6057
ornl/tm-6057 - Subject(s)
- Other Subject(s)
- Note
- Published through SciTech Connect.
03/14/2000.
"ornl/tm-6057"
Cushman, R.M. - Type of Report and Period Covered Note
- Topical;
- Funding Information
- AC05-00OR22725
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