Biological Fate and Effect of Coalbed Methane Produced Waters Discharged into Streams of the Warrior Basin, Alabama

Disposal of natural gas produced waters is a significant concern from both the economic view of environmental control costs and actual pollutant control. Produced waters are typically disposed by injection underground into permitted geologic horizons. Some produced waters, however, are permitted for surface disposal by either land application or stream discharge. This practice is limited because many produced waters are of such high salinity that surface discharge could cause significant degradation of receiving stream water quality and the biological environment.