Investigations of Ecosystems Impacts from Geothermal Development in Imperial Valley, California
- Key words
- Environmental; Impacts; USA; California; Imperial Valley; Habitat; Shore Birds; Desert Community; Aquatic; Salton Sea; Brine; Waste Disposal; Ecology
- Location
- Salton Sea, California; Imperial Valley
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1979
- Session
- Environmental aspects; Waste management; Ecology; Air qualit
- Language
- English
Abstract
A summary of three years of field ecological investigation in Imperial Valley Environmental Program is presented. The potential terrestrial habitat impacts of geothermal development are discussed for shorebirds and waterfowl habitat, the endangered clapper rail, powerline corridors, noise effects, animal trace element burdens, and the desert community. Aquatic habitats are discussed in terms of Salton Sea salinity, effects of geothermal brine discharges to the Salton Sea, trace element baselines, and potential toxicity of agriculture involved in brine spills in freshwater. Studies of impacts on agriculture involved brine movement in soil, release of trace metals, trace element baselines in soil and plants, water requirements of crops, and H2S effects on crop production in the presence of CO2 and ozone.
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