Relative Contribution of Produced Water Discharge in the Development of Hypoxia

Publication Title: Relative Contribution of Produced Water Discharge in the Development of Hypoxia

Subject: Anthropogenic Properties
Water Quality
Hypoxia; Produced Water; Mississippi River; Dissolved Oxygen; Nitrogen; Biochemical Oxygen Demand; Organic Carbon

CSE Reference: Rabalais NN (Nancy N Rabalais, Baton Rouge, LA). 2005. Relative contribution of produced water discharge in the development of hypoxia. New Orleans (LA): US Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service. 58 p. Obligation No.: 0104 P0 36634. Report No.: OCS Study MMS 2005-044. URL: https://espis.boem.gov/Final%20Reports/2964.pdf

Abstract: The objective of this analysis is to evaluate the relative contribution of produced water organic and nutrient compounds in relation to those of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya discharges in the context of hypoxia formation on the continental shelf. Rather than collect new data, this report summarizes published information, unpublished data relevant to the question at hand, and existing summaries of industry or MMS data. These data allow insight into the dynamics of hypoxia, the characterization of produced waters and their discharge into the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, and the relative contribution of oxygen demanding materials and nutrients from produced waters compared with those of the Mississippi River and in situ marine phytoplankton production.