27 From Data to Decision: Integrating Geophysics, Data Systems, and Modeling for Aquifer Characterization in Data-Sparse Regions (Posters)

Advances in data acquisition, management, and analytics are transforming water-resources research in semi-arid, data-sparse regions. This session highlights the integration of geophysics, data systems, and modeling, including AEM, legacy data digitization, and cloud platforms. Contributions demonstrate how advances in data collection, management, analysis, and modeling  approaches improve the characterization of fresh and brackish groundwater to support management, recharge, and long-term planning.

Tuesday, 19 May 2026
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Alvarado D/E

Comparative Non-Targeted Analysis of Tap Water, Groundwater, Raw and Treated Produced Water Collected from the Permian Basin

Paper number: 27-3
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

The safe management, treatment, and reuse of produced water are increasingly important in water-scarce regions, offering opportunities to reduce environmental impacts from oil and gas extraction while providing a potential alternative to freshwater resources. However, the complex chemical composition of produced water required comprehensive analytical approaches. In this study, chemical composition of dissolved organic contents in four water samples, Raw produced water (Raw PW), Purified water (thermally distilled and post-treated produced water), Stored Groundwater, and Tap water collected from the Permian Basin, Texas were compared. The corresponding dissolved organic carbon concentration of the samples were recorded as 169.9 mg/L in Raw PW, 0.37 mg/L in Purified PW 16.99 mg/L in Groundwater and 1.07 mg/L in Tap water. Using positive electrospray ionization liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) non-targeted analysis, we detected 14098, 341, 1163, 289 molecular features 4829, 341, 811, and 159 molecular formulas, 204, 5, 11, 2 SIRIUS structural approximations and 83, 3,23,5 database match in Raw PW, Purified PW, Groundwater and Tap water respectively. Toxicity estimates derived from predicted structures using the EPA Toxicity Estimation Software Tool (T.E.S.T.) indicated that Raw produced water contained substantially higher numbers of predicted toxic compounds compared to the other samples, while tap water showed the lowest. Purified PW also exhibited only a few predicted molecules, suggesting effective removal during treatment.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026RM-410663

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