(GP/GT) for Additional Water Supply in the Lower Rio Grande

The University of Southwestern louisiana proposes to use geothermal heat
from a geopressured facility to protect and extend the production of citrus
crops. An open field unit would be developed with several experimental plots.
One field would have much higher densities than those used in conventional
citrus orchards to reduce heat loss from air movement among the trees; another
would be heated by installing a subsurface system of hot water piping using
geothermal fluids, and a third would be heated using a warm water sprinkler
system (Huner and others, 1990).
Greenhouse production of citrus has been practiced on an extremely limited
scale with enough success to warrant its investigation. Because some thermal
protection of citrus is provided by greenhouses alone, only a minimal amount
of supplemental heat would be necessary. The combination of greenhouse citrus
production and the utilization of geothermal heat commands further study.
The University of Southwestern louisiana proposes to utilize four
greenhouses, each planted with a single cultivar of citrus at high density
population to compare and evaluate geothermal heat as a practical means of
providing greenhouse heat. Three methods of heating would be used; (a) a
subsurface network of hot water piping to provide soil warming and radiant
heating, (b) a hot water mist sprinkler system geared primarily toward
protection, and (c) hot air to be supplied in a duct system that can be
supplemented by solar radiation (a solar system is presently under
construction in association with the university's Center for Greenhouse
Research) (Huner and others, 1990).
Rearing of Fish, Crustaceans, Exotics, Turtles, and Alligators
Aquaculture involves the raising of freshwater or marine organisms in a
controlled environment to enhance production rates. The principal species
being raised are catfish, bass, tilapia, sturgeon, shrimp, and tropical fish.
Redfish and striped bass are also being reared. Aquaculture is one of the
fastest growing applications for using low-temperature geothermal energy
(lienau, 1989). This growth is in response to an ever increasing demand for
fish products, especially in Japan and other Asiatic countries. Controlled
rearing temperatures increase growth rates by 50 to 100%; thus, increasing the
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