New reports available from the State Water Resources Control Board:
REPORT: Spectral characterization of dissolved organic matter in groundwater to assess mixing with oil-field water near selected oil fields, southern California
Samples of oil-field water (oil wells, injectate, disposal ponds) and groundwater near selected oil and gas fields in southern California were analyzed for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and by optical spectroscopic techniques (i.e., absorbance and fluorescence) to assess whether these measurements can be used to distinguish between oil-field water (Oil Field), native groundwater (WGnat), and native groundwater mixed with oil-field water from surface (WGsurf) or subsurface sources (WGsub), and if so whether commonly reported optical measurements can be used as a screening tool to identify such water.
Click here to access this report.
REPORT: Fluid migration pathways to groundwater in mature oil fields: Exploring the roles of water injection/production and oil-well integrity in California, USA
A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study in and near the Lost Hills and South Belridge Oil Fields analyzes newly collected and historical data from groundwater and oil wells to determine if extensively developed oil fields potentially contain multiple fluid migration pathways toward protected groundwater. Protected groundwater is defined as water with <10,000 mg/L total dissolved solids and outside an exempt aquifer.
Click here for the summary report and link to the full report.
