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Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

The Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory is part of the USGS Oil and Gas Waters Project. It performs inorganic analysis of produced waters for geochemical fingerprinting and interpretation, environmental and human health impacts (e.g., disposal, reuse), and understanding potential mineral commodities. The BRInE lab is USGS Quality Management System compliant.

Enhance your Science - Work with the BRInE Laboratory

Produced Water Samples

The BRInE laboratory addresses the challenges of analyzing produced waters by adapting traditional methods of water analysis. If interested in working with the BRInE laboratory, please contact Andrew Masterson:

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USGS National Produced Waters Geochemical Database v3.0

A screenshot of the USGS National Produced Waters Geochemical Database viewer.

The U.S. Geological Survey National Produced Waters Geochemical Database v3.0 is an updated compilation of geochemical and related information for water from oil and gas wells in the United States.

View Database

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Publications

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in waters associated with oil and gas development in the Denver Basin Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in waters associated with oil and gas development in the Denver Basin

Use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the petroleum industry could be a cause for concern due to the large volumes of produced water (PW) generated during oil and gas extraction, the reuse of these wastes in water-stressed regions, and adverse health outcomes related to PFAS exposures. However, PW PFAS characterization is nearly absent in the literature, and hydraulic...
Authors
Matthew S. Varonka, Aaron M. Jubb, Bonnie McDevitt, Jenna L. Shelton, Elliott P. Barnhart, Denise M. Akob, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
By
Contaminant Biology, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

Lithium resource in the Smackover Formation brines of Southern Arkansas Lithium resource in the Smackover Formation brines of Southern Arkansas

Lithium-rich brine deposits occur throughout the United States, including in the Smackover Formation. The concentration of lithium in Smackover Formation brines was predicted across southern Arkansas by using a machine-learning model that incorporated lithium concentration data and geologic information. Between 5.1 and 19.0 million metric tons of lithium are calculated to be present in...
Authors
Katherine J. Knierim, Andrew L. Masterson, Philip A. Freeman, Bonnie McDevitt, Amanda H. Herzberg, Peng Li, Ciara Mills, Colin Doolan, Aaron M. Jubb, Scott M. Ausbrooks, Jessica Chenault
By
Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

Produced water geochemistry from hydraulically stimulated Niobrara Formation petroleum wells: Origin of salinity and temporal perspectives on treatment and reuse Produced water geochemistry from hydraulically stimulated Niobrara Formation petroleum wells: Origin of salinity and temporal perspectives on treatment and reuse

Produced water (i.e., a mixture of returned injection fluids and geologic formation brines) represents the largest volumetric waste stream associated with petroleum production in the United States. As such, produced water has been the focus of intense study with emphasis on understanding the geologic origin of the fluids, environmental impacts of unintended or intentional release...
Authors
Aaron M. Jubb, Jenna L. Shelton, Bonnie McDevitt, Kaela K. Amundson, Amanda Sha Herzberg, Jessica Chenault, Andrew Laurence Masterson, Matthew S. Varonka, Glenn D. Jolly, Christina A. DeVera, Elliott P. Barnhart, Michael J. Wilkins, Madalyn S. Blondes
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory
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