Fate and effects of nearshore discharges of OCS produced waters. Volume 1. Executive Summary. Final report. [Outer Continental Shelf]

A total of 253,944/bbl.d produced waters originate in the Federal OCS but are piped ashore for treatment and discharge in Louisiana State waters. The volume represents 13% of all produced waters discharged into Louisiana's waters. Elevated levels of dissolved solids (salinity), volatile organic hydrocarbons, sulfides, and total radium activities identified contaminants of the brine effluent in waters overlying the sediments. Sediments up to 1,300 m from the produced water discharges exhibited evidence of contamination by petrogenic hydrocarbons from the effluents. Effects on the benthic macroinfauna were demonstrated at most of the study sites. Oysters in close proximity to the discharge points and at great distances from the discharges accumulated produced water origin contaminants.