Utilization of Geothermal Effluents to Create Waterfowl Wetlands

Abstract

A generic research study was performed to determine the feasibility of using spend geothermal fluids to create waterfowl wetlands. Aspects studied included water quality, biology, ecology, toxicology, groundwater hydrology, geology and soils, wastewater treatment, economic, socioeconomic, and legal constraints. Results indicate that some geothermal effluents can be used directly with no treatment to create waterfowl wetlands. Many geothermal effluents can be used to create wetlands with relatively minimal pretreatment; this category is economically more attractive than injecting. The wetlands themselves will effectively further cleanse the effluents for possible cascading resource use (such as irrigation water or surface water enhancements). Finally some effluents require extensive pretreatment before wetland use. Economics in this latter category favor injection.