The Potential Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate, a Major Constituent of Produced Waters from Coalbed Natural Gas Production, on Aquatic Life

A substantial expansion in coalbed natural gas production has taken place in the western United States. The production water from coalbed natural gas extraction contains many constituents. For some of these constituents, such as aluminum, ammonia, copper, lead, cadmium and zinc, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established aquatic life criteria, and it is therefore possible to evaluate their risk to aquatic life.