101942 Impact of Applying Spent Bentonite Drilling Mud on Soil Properties.

Poster Number 473-231

See more from this Division: SSSA Division: Soils and Environmental Quality
See more from this Session: Soils and Environmental Quality Poster III

Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Phoenix Convention Center North, Exhibit Hall CDE

John Lucas, West Virginia, West Virginia State University, Left Hand, WV, Amir Hass, P.O. Box 1000, West Virginia State University, Institute, WV, Robert Cantrell, West Virginia State University, Institute, WV, Naraine Persaud, Scieneering Associates, Blacksburg, VA, Joseph Kraft, USDA NRCS, Harrisburg, PA, John Vandevender, USDA NRCS, Alderson, WV and Dharmesh Patel, TechLaw Inc., Edison, NJ
Abstract:
The US shale oil and gas industry uses horizontal directional drilling (HDD) to install pipelines under ecologically sensitive areas (wetlands, rivers, etc.) or heavily used commercial infrastructure (railroad, highways). HDD operations produce spent bentonite drilling mud as a waste product. Using the spent bentonite mud as a soil amendment is a cost-effective way for its disposal. We examined the potential impact of spent HDD mud on properties of 17 different soils amended with the mud at different application rates (up to 10%, dry weight basis). Soil solution was analyzed for total dissolved solids, sodium and ionic and elemental composition, and SAR. Although soil salinity and SAR increased with application rate, they remained below levels considered detrimental to yield of sensitive plants or to soil structure.

See more from this Division: SSSA Division: Soils and Environmental Quality
See more from this Session: Soils and Environmental Quality Poster III