The Direct Use of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Discharge Water for Aquaculture

The proposed work will demonstrate the feasibility of culturing foodfish in Coal Bed Methane (CBM) discharge water; water is always a byproduct of methane recovery. A major restriction to the growth of the aquaculture industry, nationwide and worldwide, is the availability of constant temperature, consistently high quality water. A potentially major source of this quality of groundwater could be made available for a niche aquaculture industry through the utilization of CBM discharge water. Methane extraction is rapidly accelerating due to a recent high court ruling. The primary constraint to aquaculture development in CBM discharge waters is the widespread perception that fish may bioaccumulate heavy metals to levels of concern for consumers. No research has been conducted to address this issue. In Phase I, CBM discharge water will be tested as a direct culture medium for fish. The research will determine the bioaccumulation of targeted heavy metals in the edible portion of trout grown directly in these waters. These levels will be compared with FDA's "levels of concerns" as well as for significance of accumulation in the edible portion of the fish. This research program will lay the foundation for commercial prototype development utilizing this resource for intensive aquaculture applications.