Effects of Oilfield Brine on Marine Organisms, An Ecological Evaluation of the Aransas Bay Area

Toxicity studies were made of oilfield brine from two separator locations in conjunction with the Sinton oilfields: Haas" Ditch, emptying into Chiltipin Creek, and Southwestern Oil and Refinery emptying into Copano Bay. Salinity of this brine ranged from 82.4 to 91.6 parts per thousand. Mortalities were noted in all tests using brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus), white shrimp Penaeus setiferus), and juvenile blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). Brine concentrations of above 40 per cent produced 100 per cent mortalities on all species tested.