Coal Bed Methane
Montana State University Extension Water Quality Program has extensive research focus in areas of water quality and soil science as they relate to Montana’s agricultural issues. Within the past several decades much emphasis has been placed on issues surrounding the disposal and/or beneficial use of coal bed methane (CBM) product water; specifically, how product water with a characteristic saline-sodic fingerprint will interact with soil and water resources in coal bed methane/natural gas production areas of Montana and Wyoming.
Background Information
A Novice's Introduction to Coal Bed Methane (2001) Coal bed methane, otherwise known as natural gas, has a wide variety of energy-related uses. With the current energy crisis and relatively high fuel prices, increased attention has been put on the development of this resource.
Basics of Salinity and Sodicity Effects on Soil Physical Properties (2003) Saline and sodic water qualities can cause problems for irrigation, depending on the type and amount of salts present, the soil type being irrigated, plant species and growth stage, and the amount of water that is able to pass through the root zone.
Diagnosing Salinity Problems (2003) The symptoms and causes of salinity, high pH, specific ion toxicity and sodicity are frequently misunderstood. Each have adverse affects plant growth, but differ significantly in their cause and relative impact. Proper field and laboratory diagnostics are critical to successful problem correction when dealing with saline and sodic soil and water quality issues.
Salinity, Sodicity, and Flooding Tolerance of Selected Plant Species of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation (2001) One concern about coal bed methane development is the potential impact of coal bed methane product water on native and culturally significant plant species in the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Tolerances to salinity, sodicity, flooding and pH have been thoroughly researched to predict how these plants would respond to saline-sodic water produced from CBM development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions - Coal Bed Methane (2003) Answers to common questions and concerns about coal bed methane extraction, CBM product water quality and management, aquifer drawdown, aquifer recharge and more.
Frequently Asked Questions - Saline and/or Sodic Water and Soils (2003) Answers to common questions and concerns about saline and/or sodic water and soils, saline seeps, stream flow and EC, stream flow and SAR, adjusted SAR, crop production, reclamation and more.
Professional Papers
Soil solution and exchange complex response to repeated wetting-drying with modestly saline-sodic water. (2007) The objective of this laboratory study was to assess acute and chronic soil solution EC and SAR responses to various wetting regimes simulating repeated flood irrigation with treated CBM product water, followed by rainfall events.
Effect of SAR on water infiltration under a sequential rain-irrigation management system (2006)
Existing irrigation water quality criteria related to sodium and salinity are based primarily on short-term laboratory columns studies. In this study, water infiltrating into loam and clay were studied in a management system with alternating rain and irrigation and drying between irrigations.
Geochemical Signature of Formation Waters Associated With Coal Bed Methane (2003) Geochemical processes inherent to conditions of methane occurrence and generation modify groundwater qualities to have common characteristics that can be used as an exploration tool, regardless of lithology or age.
Effects of long-term irrigation with reclaimed water on soils of the Northern Adelaide Plains, South Australia. (2003) The findings in this article suggest that farming methods, in the 1967-95 period, did not address the physico-chemical changes associated with the use of more sodic reclaimed water (RCW).
Strategic Produced Water Management and Disposal Economics in the Rocky Mountain Region (2002) The cost of produced water handling and disposal associated with coal bed methane extraction is dependent on many factors that vary on a localized level. These factors are identified and discussed as they pertain to produced water management and disposal in the Rocky Mountains States of Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Leaching and Reclamation of a Soil Irrigated with Moderate SAR Waters (2001) Irrigation with blended drainage water can damage soil structure, impair infiltration, and increase runoff and erosion. The findings of this paper suggest that even diluted drainage waters used for irrigation will have an adverse effect on soil structure, especially drainage.
U.S. Geological Survey Monitoring of Powder River Basin Stream-Water Quantity and Quality (2001) The USGS has been monitoring streamflow and stream water quality at sites in the Powder River Basin since 1900. The data can be used to help understand water quality conditions in the basin and to provide a useful baseline against which future changes can be compared. This report summarizes some of the available monitoring data and data relations that may be useful for assessing water quality effects, if any, that CBM discharges may have on stream-water quality.
Environmental Regulatory Drivers for Coal Bed Methane Research and Development (1999) This paper addresses existing and potential environmental regulatory requirements that could affect development and production of coal be methane resources in the United States. Numerous federal, state, and local programs address issues associated with coal bed methane development including water quality and quantity, air quality, wildlife, noise, and visibility.
Coal Bed Methane - An Untapped Energy Resource and an Environmental Concern (1997) The USGS is engaged in detailed studies of the controls, distribution, and recoverable resources of coal bed methane, particularly as they affect release of gas and water to the environment.
Coal Bed Gas Resources of the Rocky Mountain Region (2003) Several important U.S. coal bed methane areas are in the Rocky Mountain region, where extensive shallow coal beds have produced or have the potential to produce coal bed methane. This report provides a summary of the recoverable coal bed methane resources of six geologic provinces in the Rocky Mountain region.
Literature Reviews
A General Essay on the Bioremediation of Contaminated Soil (2006) This paper summarizes the general processes of bioremediation within the soil environment, focusing on biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. The effect of soil conditions on rate of biodegradation of hydrocarbons is addressed. Further, limitations and potential of both ex situ and in situ bioremediation as viable alternatives to conventional remediation are explained and addressed.
Coal Bed Methane Ownership and Responsibility: A Summary of Surface, Mineral, and Split-Estate Rights (2001) This review defines and explains the major components of historical surface, mineral, and split-estate resource ownership law in the United States, concentrating on the Amoco Production Co. v. Southern Ute Indian Tribe Supreme Court decision declaring an opinion of the U.S. congressional intent in the creation of the Coal Lands Acts of 1909 and 1910.
Quality and Characteristics of Saline and Sodic Water Affect Irrigation Suitability (2002) Two possible management options for the beneficial use of coal bed methane water are sprinkler irrigation and land spreading. Certain criteria and careful management strategies need to be met to achieve sustainable soil quality and plant production using saline-sodic water.
Justification for Numeric Standards of Salinity and Sodicity of Water To Be Considered For Beneficial Use For Irrigation (2002) This paper addresses the general issue of narrative and numeric surface water quality standards and the controversy over the value, appropriateness, and specific numeric and narrative standards specific to salinity and sodicity of waters to be considered for either irrigation or land spreading in the Powder River Basin.
The Role of Plants in Bioremediation of Coal Bed Methane Product Water (2001) Halophytes are defined as salt tolerant plants that can uptake excess salts and potentially remediate the saline-sodic conditions associated with coal bed methane product water.
The Use of Coal Bed Methane Product Water to Enhance Wetland Function (2003) A possible strategy to aid in processing coal bed methane product water is to construct wetlands composed of a variety of halophytic plants which have dense fibrous root systems, uptake salts and sodium, can be used as forage, have high ET and water use rates, or have a combination of these traits.
MSU Coal Bed Methane Research
Soil Behavior Upon Wetting with Saline-Sodic Water Part 1: Background Information (2001) The purpose of this project was to determine the compatibility of coal bed methane product water and potentially irrigable soils and the effects product water may have on soil physical properties when applied to the irrigable soils of southeastern Montana.
Soil Behavior Upon Wetting with Saline-Sodic Water Part 2: Soil Physical and Chemical Responses (2001) Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) are currently recognized in the scientific literature as indices of dispersion risk or potential for dispersion. The data presented here provide significant insight into the management and implications of coal bed methane product water dispersals.
The Role of Plants in the Phytoremediation of CBM Discharge Water (2001) A controlled greenhouse experiment exposed three salt tolerant species to two saline-sodic conditions and three water table positions. Groundwater chemistry response, plant salt uptake, and plant biomass and crude protein production were measured.
Chemical Changes in Coal Bed Methane Product Water Over Time (2002) To better understand chemical changes of coal bed methane product water, two short-term experiments were conducted on waters of varying chemistry simulating possible CBM product water and surface water.
Screening for Salt Tolerant Forage Species (2002) The purpose of this experiment was to determine the survivability and early plant biomass production of sixteen different forage species irrigated with water qualities chosen to represent conditions of water surface supplies that could result from coal bed methane development.
Plant and Soil Response to Irrigation With Water Comparable to CBM Product Water from the Powder River Basin (2002) The objective of the research summarized here is to assess the consequence of periodic flood irrigation with simulated CBM product water on soil physical and chemical properties, soil drainage water quality, and the production capability of two different forage plant communities.
Assessing Constructed Wetlands for Beneficial Use of Saline-Sodic Water (2004) The research summarized here assessed the abilities of three wetland plant communities in constructed wetlands to beneficially use saline-sodic water, such as produced by CBM development.
Selected Plant Species Characteristics and Suitability for Use in Constructed Wetlands (2004)
Utilization of Coal Bed Methane Waste Water to Enhance Biomass Production and Carbon Sequestration in Moisture Deficient Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of Montana and Wyoming (2004) This page illustrates the progression of a greenhouse experiment that is currently taking place at the Montana State University Plant Growth Center in Bozeman. The intent is to update the progress of this study as it continues to evolve, as well as to update research finding that pertain to the utilization of saline-sodic water to enhance biomass production and subsequent carbon sequestration.
Poster Presentations
From Prehistory to the Pipeline - The Fingerprint of Coal Bed Methane (2004) Information about the formation and production of biogenic and thermogenic methane, global estimates of coal bed methane production, and estimates of coal bed methane production in the Rocky Mountain west. Presented by Suzanna R. Roffe (Montana State University) at the 2004 Montana Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Meeting in Billings, Montana.
Applied Science for the Beneficial Use of Saline-Sodic Water (2003) Coal bed methane product water management and beneficial use options. Overview of the Montana State University coal bed methane research goals, completed projects and emerging research. Presented by Krista E. Pearson (Montana State University) at the 2003 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings in Denver, Colorado.
Geochemical Constraints on Selection of CBM Product Water Management Strategies (2004) Understanding the fundamental chemical behavior of coal bed methane product water is key to designing and implementing successful water management strategies. Presented by Ron Drake (Drake Engineering Incorporated) at the 2004 Montana Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Meeting in Billings, Montana.
Selected Plant Species Tolerance for Irrigation with Saline-Sodic Water (2003) To allow extensive use of saline water, a by-product of coal bed methane extraction, controlled greenhouse and field experiments have been used to determine survivability and plant biomass of forage species irrigated with saline water. Presented by Allison Levy (Montana State University) at the 2003 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings in Denver, Colorado.
Coordinated Natural Resource Monitoring and Training Program for Landowners with Land Parcels in Areas of Coal Bed Methane Development (2003) Investigates common issues landowners may face following coal bed methane development. To extract methane from a coal seam, networks of wells, pipelines, and roads are placed across the landscape and large volumes of sometimes marginal quality water must be managed. Presented by Kristin Keith (Montana State University) at the 2003 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings in Denver, Colorado.
Power Point Presentations
Managing Soils and Crops to Account for Salinity and Sodicity
Using CBM Product Water for Irrigation (2004) Information on salinity and sodicity issues, irrigation, infiltration, and movement of water in the soil. Presented by Dr. Jim Bauder (Montana State University) at the 2004 Montana Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Meeting in Billings, Montana.
Diagnosing Salinity Problems (2003) The symptoms and causes of salinity, high pH, specific ion toxicity and sodicity are frequently misunderstood. All have adverse affects plant growth, but differ significantly in their cause and relative impact. Proper field and laboratory diagnostics are critical to successful problem correction when dealing with saline and sodic soil and water quality issues. Presented by Dr. Reagan Waskom (Colorado State University) at the 2003 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings in Denver, Colorado.
Matching Soil, Water, and Crops to Saline and Sodic Conditions (2003) Provides guidelines for irrigation use in determining suitability of saline-sodic irrigation water for specific irrigated soil x crop combinations. Outlines the components of salinity control to encourage sound practices on farms. Presented by Kristin Keith (Montana State University) at the 2003 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings in Denver, Colorado.
Preventing, Correcting, and Managing Salinity and Sodicity (2003) Prevention and correction of salinity and sodicity problems by managing crops and soils through knowledge of leaching controls (ESP, SAR) and reclamation of salinity and sodicity problems. Presented by Dr. J.D. Oster (University of California-Riverside) at the 2003 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings in Denver, Colorado.
Montana State University Coal Bed Methane Product Water Management Research
Screening for Salt Tolerant Forage Species (2003) The purpose of this experiment was to determine the survivability and early plant biomass production of sixteen different forage species irrigated with water qualities that have been chosen to represent conditions of water surface supplies that could result from coal bed methane development.
Coal Bed Methane - Background Information (2003)
Coal Bed Methane Product Water Management and Disposal Economics in the Rocky Mountain Region (2003)
Effects of Saline-Sodic Water Management on Soil Chemical Properties (2003) The purpose of this project was to determine the compatibility between coal bed methane product water and potentially irrigable soils and the effects product water may have on soil chemical properties when applied to the irrigable soils of southeastern Montana.
A Comparison of Seasonal Evapotranspiration of Three Wetland Plant Communities (2003) The objectives of this research are to measure and compare seasonal evapotransporation for each plant community, monitor changes in water chemistry and temperature fluctuations, and determine the plant/community biomass production.
Defining Native Wetland Species Salt Tolerance and Water Use Rates (2003)
|
