Coal‐Bed Methane Water: Effects on Soil Properties and Camelina Productivity

Abstract

Every year, the production of coal-bed natural gas in the Powder River Basin results in the discharge of large amounts of coal-bed methane water (CBMW) in Wyoming; however, no sustainable disposal methods for CBMW are currently available. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the potential to use CBMW as a source of irrigation water for camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz].We assessed the effects of three CBMW concentrations (0% [1:0], 50% [1:1], and 100% [0:1] tap water to CBMW) on selected soil properties, growth, seed oil, and fatty acid composition of three camelina cultivars: Blaine Creek, Ligena, and Pronghorn. The 100% CBMW reduced seed and estimated biofuel yields by 24 and 23%, respectively, but increased the oil content by 3%, relative to the control. Additionally, the 100% CBMW visibly affected soil through formation of surface crust due to elevated levels of sodium (653 mg Na kg −1 ). The 50% CBMW had no significant effects on the seed yield, estimated biofuel yield, and oil content, but the soil Na levels were still high (464 mg kg −1 ), which could pose a long-term impact on soil structure. The CBMW tended to reduce the total saturated fatty acid, but it had no significant effects on the total monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids of camelina seeds. Overall, CBMW diluted with an equal amount of good-quality water could be used to irrigate camelina in the short term. Afterward, only good-quality water would have to be used until the accumulated dissolved solids are flushed out.

Gypsum and Coal-bed Methane Water Modify Growth Media Properties, Nutrient Uptake, and Essential Oil Profile of Lemongrass and Palmarosa

“…Burkhadt et al [10] in a field study reported that lemongrass and spearmint EO concentrations were significantly affected by CBMW. Sintim et al [26] in a study with three cultivars of the oilseed camelina (Camelina sativa L.) grown in field soil reported that CBMW may have reduced total saturated fatty acids, but it had no effect on mono-and poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Since CBMW contains salts and several elements in elevated concentrations, it is difficult to separate which of these would be responsible for the observed effects on plant secondary (EO) and primary (FA) synthesis and accumulation.…”

Towards agro-environmentally sustainable irrigation with treated produced water in hyper-arid environments

“…Techniques aimed at mitigating soil salinity, such as over-irrigation to increase salt leaching (Norvell et al, 2009), PW blending (Atia, 2017;Martel-Valles et al, 2017;Mullins and Hajek, 1998;Sintim et al, 2017), and PW desalination (Sousa et al, 2017;Weber et al, 2017) to reduce salt inputs to the soil, as well as soil and irrigation water amendments to mitigate soil sodicity (Bennett et al, 2016;Johnston et al, 2008), have been tested in field experiments. However, these techniques were used individually, but not in combination to maximise their impacts.…”

Agro-environmental sustainability and financial cost of reusing gasfield-produced water for agricultural irrigation

“…Techniques, such as over-irrigation to increase salt leaching (Norvell et al, 2009), PW blending (Atia, 2017;Martel-Valles et al, 2017;Mullins and Hajek, 1998;Sintim et al, 2017), irrigation with reverse osmosis-treated PW (ROPW) (Sousa et al, 2017;Weber et al, 2017), as well as soil and irrigation water amendments (Ali et al, 2018;Bennett et al, 2016;Ganjegunte et al, 2005;Johnston et al, 2008;Vance et al, 2008) have been used in field experiments to mitigate soil salinisation and sodification caused by irrigation with PW.…”