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Sola I, Carratalá A, Pereira-Rojas J, Díaz MJ, Rodríguez-Rojas F, Sánchez-Lizaso JL, Sáez CA. Assessment of brine discharges dispersion for sustainable management of SWRO plants on the South American Pacific coast. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 207:116905. [PMID: 39241366 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Seawater desalination is one of the most feasible technologies for producing fresh water to address the water scarcity scenario worldwide. However, environmental concerns about the potential impact of brine discharge on marine ecosystems hinder or delay the development of desalination projects. In addition, scientific knowledge is lacking about the impact of brine discharges on the South America Pacific coast where desalination, is being developed. This paper presents the first monitoring results of brine discharge influence areas from seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants (SWRO) on the South America Pacific coast, using Chile as case study. Our results indicate that the combination of favorable oceanographic conditions and diffusers, results in the rapid dilution of brine discharge on coastal ecosystems; showing a faster dilution than other SWRO plants in other regions, such as Mediterranean or Arabian Gulf, with similar production characteristics. Also, the increase in salinity over the natural salinity in the brine-discharge-affected area was <5 % in a radius of <100 m from the discharge points. Further, according to the published literature and on our monitoring results, we propose a number of considerations (environmental regulation, best scientifically tested measures, environmental requirements) to achieve a long-term sustainable desalination operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Sola
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, Alicante, Spain; Laboratory of Aquatic Environmental Research, HUB AMBIENTAL UPLA, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - Adoración Carratalá
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, Alicante, Spain
| | - Jeniffer Pereira-Rojas
- Laboratory of Aquatic Environmental Research, HUB AMBIENTAL UPLA, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile; Doctorado Interdisciplinario en Ciencias Ambientales, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Subida Leopoldo Carvallo 270, 2360004 Valparaíso, Chile
| | - María José Díaz
- Laboratory of Aquatic Environmental Research, HUB AMBIENTAL UPLA, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile; Departamento de Ciencias y Geografía, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Fernanda Rodríguez-Rojas
- Laboratory of Aquatic Environmental Research, HUB AMBIENTAL UPLA, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile; Departamento de Ciencias y Geografía, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - José Luis Sánchez-Lizaso
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, Alicante, Spain; Ciencias del Mar, Universidad de Alicante, Unidad Asociada al CSIC por el IEO, Alicante, Spain
| | - Claudio A Sáez
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, Alicante, Spain; Laboratory of Aquatic Environmental Research, HUB AMBIENTAL UPLA, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile
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Ghazilou A, Ershadifar H, Kor K. Phallusia nigra-mediated vanadium removal from brine: Assessment and optimization. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 206:116749. [PMID: 39032215 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
The rejected brines from desalination plants contain significant amounts of heavy metals. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of Phallusia nigra Savigny, 1816 (P. nigra) in removing vanadium from the rejected brines of desalination plants through the bioaccumulation process. Initial assessments revealed a remarkably high accumulation rate of vanadium in P. nigra with a bioaccumulation factor exceeding 4.7 × 104 in the tunic and 5.1 × 105 in the mantle body. Acclimation experiments demonstrated that P. nigra could survive salinities up to 56 practical salinity units (psu), temperatures of ≤32 °C, and pH of 6.5-8.5. We employed the L-16 Taguchi approach in experimental design to optimize environmental conditions for vanadium removal by P.nigra. Our results indicated that temperature has the most significant effect on increasing vanadium bioaccumulation in P. nigra, followed by salinity and pH. Under optimal conditions, the vanadium concentration reached 1892.30 ppm in the entire body of P. nigra compared to 350 ppm in natural conditions. Considering that, a high concentration of vanadium is toxic to the environment and the conventional methods of its removal from brine are costly and include the use of chemicals that pollute the environment, therefore, vanadium removal from brine using P. nigra can be considered a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method in the future, as opposed to some chemical methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Ghazilou
- Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science (INIOAS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Ershadifar
- Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science (INIOAS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Kamalodin Kor
- Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science (INIOAS), Tehran, Iran.
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Sirota R, Winters G, Levy O, Marques J, Paytan A, Silverman J, Sisma-Ventura G, Rahav E, Antler G, Bar-Zeev E. Impacts of Desalination Brine Discharge on Benthic Ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:5631-5645. [PMID: 38516811 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination facilities produce freshwater and, at the same time, discharge hypersaline brine that often includes various chemical additives such as antiscalants and coagulants. This dense brine can sink to the sea bottom and creep over the seabed, reaching up to 5 km from the discharge point. Previous reviews have discussed the effects of SWRO desalination brine on various marine ecosystems, yet little attention has been paid to the impacts on benthic habitats. This review comprehensibly discusses the effects of SWRO brine discharge on marine benthic fauna and flora. We review previous studies that indicated a suite of impacts by SWRO brine on benthic organisms, including bacteria, seagrasses, polychaetes, and corals. The effects within the discharge mixing zones range from impaired activities and morphological deformations to changes in the community composition. Recent modeling work demonstrated that brine could spread over the seabed, beyond the mixing zone, for up to several tens of kilometers and impair nutrient fluxes from the sediment to the water column. We also provide a possible perspective on brine's impact on the biogeochemical process within the mixing zone subsurface. Desalination brine can infiltrate into the sandy bottom around the discharge area due to gravity currents. Accumulation of brine and associated chemical additives, such as polyphosphonate-based antiscalants and ferric-based coagulants in the porewater, may change the redox zones and, hence, impact biogeochemical processes in sediments. With the demand for drinking water escalating worldwide, the volumes of brine discharge are predicted to triple during the current century. Future efforts should focus on the development and operation of viable technologies to minimize the volumes of brine discharged into marine environments, along with a change to environmentally friendly additives. However, the application of these technologies should be partly subsidized by governmental stakeholders to safeguard coastal ecosystems around desalination facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Sirota
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer 84990, Israel
- The Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, Masada National Park, Mount Masada 869100, Israel
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa 31080, Israel
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat (IUI), Eilat 8810302, Israel
| | - Gidon Winters
- The Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, Masada National Park, Mount Masada 869100, Israel
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Eilat Campus, Eilat 881000, Israel
| | - Oren Levy
- Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Joseane Marques
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer 84990, Israel
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat (IUI), Eilat 8810302, Israel
| | - Adina Paytan
- Earth and Planetary Science, University of California Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Jack Silverman
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa 31080, Israel
| | - Guy Sisma-Ventura
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa 31080, Israel
| | - Eyal Rahav
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa 31080, Israel
| | - Gilad Antler
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat (IUI), Eilat 8810302, Israel
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Edo Bar-Zeev
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer 84990, Israel
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Parra L, Viciano-Tudela S, Carrasco D, Sendra S, Lloret J. Low-Cost Microcontroller-Based Multiparametric Probe for Coastal Area Monitoring. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:s23041871. [PMID: 36850468 PMCID: PMC9961687 DOI: 10.3390/s23041871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The monitoring of the coastal environment is a crucial factor in ensuring its proper management. Nevertheless, existing monitoring technologies are limited due to their cost, temporal resolution, and maintenance needs. Therefore, limited data are available for coastal environments. In this paper, we present a low-cost multiparametric probe that can be deployed in coastal areas and integrated into a wireless sensor network to send data to a database. The multiparametric probe is composed of physical sensors capable of measuring water temperature, salinity, and total suspended solids (TSS). The node can store the data in an SD card or send them. A real-time clock is used to tag the data and to ensure data gathering every hour, putting the node in deep sleep mode in the meantime. The physical sensors for salinity and TSS are created for this probe and calibrated. The calibration results indicate that no effect of temperature is found for both sensors and no interference of salinity in the measuring of TSS or vice versa. The obtained calibration model for salinity is characterised by a correlation coefficient of 0.9 and a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.74 g/L. Meanwhile, different calibration models for TSS were obtained based on using different light wavelengths. The best case was using a simple regression model with blue light. The model is characterised by a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and an MAE of 12 mg/L. When both infrared and blue light are used to prevent the effect of different particle sizes, the determination coefficient of 0.98 and an MAE of 57 mg/L characterised the multiple regression model.
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Marques JA, Gafni A, Adler O, Levy O, Bar-Zeev E. Antiscalants used in the desalination industry impact the physiology of the coral Montipora capricornis. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 229:119411. [PMID: 36463678 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Many coral reefs are found in arid and semi-arid regions that often face severe water scarcity and depend on seawater desalination for freshwater supply. Alongside freshwater production, desalination plants discharge brine waste into the sea. Brine includes various chemicals (e.g., antiscalants) that may harm the coastal environment. Although widely used, little is known about the ecotoxicological effects of antiscalants (AS) on hard corals. This study compared the impacts of polyphosphonate-based and polymer-based ASs on the coral Montipora capricornis. After two weeks of exposure, we determined the effects of AS on coral physiology, symbiotic microalgae, and associated bacteria, using various analytical approaches such as optical coherence tomography, pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry, and oxidative stress biomarkers. Both ASs reduced polyp activity (∼25%) and caused tissue damage (30% and 41% for polymer and polyphosphonate based AS, respectively). In addition, exposure to polyphosphonate-based AS decreased the abundance of endosymbiotic algae (39%) and upregulated the antioxidant capacity of the animal host (45%). The microalgal symbionts were under oxidative stress, with increased levels of antioxidant capacity and oxidative damage (a 2-fold increase compared to the control). Interestingly, exposure to AS enhanced the numbers of associated bacteria (∼40% compared to the control seawater) regardless of the AS type. Our results introduce new insights into the effects of brine on the physiology of hard corals, highlighting that choosing AS type must be examined according to the receiving ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseane A Marques
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research (ZIWR), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boker 84990, Israel; The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences, Eilat 8810369, Israel.
| | - Almog Gafni
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research (ZIWR), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boker 84990, Israel
| | - Osher Adler
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research (ZIWR), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boker 84990, Israel
| | - Oren Levy
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The Mina and Everard Goodman, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel; The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences, Eilat 8810369, Israel
| | - Edo Bar-Zeev
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research (ZIWR), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boker 84990, Israel.
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Sisma-Ventura G, Belkin N, Rubin-Blum M, Jacobson Y, Hauzer H, Bar-Zeev E, Rahav E. Discharge of Polyphosphonate-Based Antiscalants via Desalination Brine: Impact on Seabed Nutrient Flux and Microbial Activity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:13142-13151. [PMID: 36044758 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Desalination brine is a hypersaline byproduct that contains various operational chemicals such as polyphosphonate-based antiscalants. Brine often sinks and flows over the seabed by density currents; therefore, it may affect sediment-water nutrient fluxes and thus microbial activity. We quantified these parameters in brine plumes around two large-scale desalination facilities located in the P-limited Southeastern Mediterranean Sea. The benthic nutrient fluxes and microbial activity were determined using ex-situ core benthocosms, to which we added brine from the dispersion area in excess salinities of ∼3% and 5% above natural levels. A higher influx of dissolved organic phosphorus (∼6-fold) and an efflux of dissolved organic carbon (∼1.7-fold) were measured in the brine-amended cores relative to the controls. This was accompanied by increased oxygen consumption (15%) and increased microbial activity (∼1.5-6.5-fold). Field observations support the results from experimental manipulations, yielding ∼4.5-fold higher microbial activity rates around the brine plume compared to uninfluenced locations. Our results imply that desalination brine can alter sedimentary processes affecting benthic nutrients inventories. Moreover, we show that brine acts as a vector of anthropogenic P, stimulating microbial activity in the sediment-water interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Sisma-Ventura
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, 8030, Israel 310800
| | - Natalia Belkin
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, 8030, Israel 310800
| | - Maxim Rubin-Blum
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, 8030, Israel 310800
| | - Yitzhak Jacobson
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, 8030, Israel 310800
| | - Hagar Hauzer
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, 8030, Israel 310800
| | - Edo Bar-Zeev
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990, Israel
| | - Eyal Rahav
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, 8030, Israel 310800
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Cruz-Pérez N, Santamarta JC, Gamallo-Paz I, Rodríguez-Martín J, García-Gil A. A comparison between carbon footprint of water production facilities in the Canary Islands: groundwater resources vs. seawater desalination. SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 2022; 8:121. [PMID: 35873501 PMCID: PMC9289653 DOI: 10.1007/s40899-022-00706-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Canary Islands have a water culture tied to the exploitation of their groundwater by means of wells and water galleries. However, the growth of tourism, the increase in the local population and the development of agriculture have led to the emergence of new ways of obtaining water, such as the desalination of seawater. The presence of these desalination plants covers the entire archipelago except for the island of La Palma, and sometimes they function as a complement to water needs, while in other cases they are the only source of drinking water available. To study the environmental impact of the production of drinking water through the exploitation of the aquifer and the desalination of seawater, the carbon footprint methodology was used following the guidelines of the GHG Protocol. The result has shown that seawater installations have the largest carbon footprint, mainly due to the high electricity consumption in the islands and the electricity mix of the archipelago which, as it does not rely entirely on renewable energy sources, increases CO2 emissions into the atmosphere due to the production of drinking water in the islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Cruz-Pérez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Agraria y del Medio Natural, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain
| | - Juan C. Santamarta
- Departamento de Ingeniería Agraria y del Medio Natural, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain
| | - Isabel Gamallo-Paz
- Departamento de Ingeniería Agraria y del Medio Natural, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain
| | - Jesica Rodríguez-Martín
- Departamento Técnicas y Proyectos en Ingeniería y Arquitectura, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain
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Abstract
Phosphorus in water not only degrades water quality but also leads to a waste of resources. In this study, adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics were used to study the effect of sponge iron on phosphorus removal, and a filtration bed was used to simulate the phosphorus removal in polluted water. The results showed that the maximum theoretical adsorption capacity of the modified sponge iron was increased from 4.17 mg/g to 18.18 mg/g. After desorption with 18.18 mol/L of sodium hydroxide and reactivation with 6% (w%) sulfuric acid, the activation rate of modified sponge iron can reach 98%. In a continuous operation experiment run for approximately 200 days, the sponge iron phosphorus removal percolation bed showed a good phosphorus removal ability. Under the condition of TP = 10 mg/L, HRT = 1 H, the comprehensive phosphorus removal rate was 30–89%, and the accumulated phosphorus adsorption per unit volume was 6.95 kg/m3. Wastewater from the regeneration of the sponge iron base can be used to recover guano stone. The optimum conditions were pH = 10, n (Mg2+):n (PO43−):n (NH4+) = 1.3:1:1.1. Under the optimum conditions, the phosphorus recovery rate could reach 97.8%. The method provided in this study has theoretical and practical significance for the removal and recycling of phosphorus in polluted water.
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Review: Brine Solution: Current Status, Future Management and Technology Development. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14116752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Desalination brine is extremely concentrated saline water; it contains various salts, nutrients, heavy metals, organic contaminants, and microbial contaminants. Conventional disposal of desalination brine has negative impacts on natural and marine ecosystems that increase the levels of toxicity and salinity. These issues demand the development of brine management technologies that can lead to zero liquid discharge. Brine management can be productive by adopting economically feasible methodologies, which enables the recovery of valuable resources like freshwater, minerals, and energy. This review focuses on the recent advances in brine management using various membrane/thermal-based technologies and their applicability in water, mineral, and energy recoveries, considering their pros and cons. This review also exemplifies the hybrid processes for metal recovery and zero liquid discharge that may be adopted, so far, as an appropriate futuristic strategy. The data analyzed and outlook presented in this review could definitely contribute to the development of economically achievable future strategies for sustainable brine management.
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Water Footprint of the Water Cycle of Gran Canaria and Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14060934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
When it comes to exploiting natural resources, islands have limitations due to the quantity of these resources and the potential for harm to the ecosystem if exploitation is not done in a sustainable manner. This article presents a study of the water footprint of the different drinking water collection facilities and wastewater treatment facilities in the Canary Islands, in order to determine the blue, green, and grey water footprints in each case. The results show high percentages of drinking water losses, which raises the blue water footprint of the Canary Islands archipelago. The grey water footprint was studied in terms of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5). The green water footprint was not considered because it is a dimension of the water footprint mainly calculated for agricultural crops. Of the facilities studied, the wells for extraction of drinking water from the aquifer and the distribution network have the largest blue water footprint for the years under study (2019 and 2020). Only the wastewater treatment plants have a gray water footprint in this study, with values between 79,000 and 108,000 m3 per year. As a general conclusion, the most important factor in reducing the water footprint of the water cycle in the Canary Islands is optimization of the water resource, improving existing infrastructures to minimize losses, and implementing a greater circular economy that reuses water on a regular basis.
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Janowitz D, Groche S, Yüce S, Melin T, Wintgens T. Can Large-Scale Offshore Membrane Desalination Cost-Effectively and Ecologically Address Water Scarcity in the Middle East? MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12030323. [PMID: 35323798 PMCID: PMC8953854 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12030323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The Middle East will face tremendous water scarcity by 2050, which can only be mitigated by large-scale reverse osmosis seawater desalination. However, the coastal land in the region is rare and costly, so outsourcing the desalination facility to artificial islands could become a realistic scenario. This study investigated the ecological and economic challenges and possible advantages of that water supply option by analysing conceptual alternatives for offshore membrane-based desalination plants of up to 600 MCM/y capacity. Key environmental impacts and mitigation strategies were identified, and a detailed economic analysis was conducted to compare the new approach to state-of-the-art. The economic analysis included calculating the cost of water production (WPC) and discussing the differences between offshore alternatives and a conventional onshore desalination plant. In addition, the study investigated the impact of a changing energy mix and potential carbon tax levels on the WPC until 2050. The results indicate that offshore desalination plants have ecological advantages compared to onshore desalination plants. Furthermore, the construction cost for the artificial islands has a much lower effect on the WPC than energy cost. In contrast, the impact of potential carbon tax levels on the WPC is significant. The specific construction cost ranges between 287 $/m2 and 1507 $/m2 depending on the artificial island type and distance to the shoreline, resulting in a WPC between 0.51 $/m3 and 0.59 $/m3. This work is the first to discuss the environmental and economic effects of locating large-scale seawater desalination plants on artificial islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Janowitz
- STEP Consulting GmbH, Eupener Str. 30, 52066 Aachen, Germany; (D.J.); (S.G.); (S.Y.)
| | - Sophie Groche
- STEP Consulting GmbH, Eupener Str. 30, 52066 Aachen, Germany; (D.J.); (S.G.); (S.Y.)
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Mies-van-der-Rohe Straße 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Süleyman Yüce
- STEP Consulting GmbH, Eupener Str. 30, 52066 Aachen, Germany; (D.J.); (S.G.); (S.Y.)
- Aachener Verfahrenstechnik—Chemical Process Engineering, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Thomas Melin
- Aachener Verfahrenstechnik—Chemical Process Engineering, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Thomas Wintgens
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Mies-van-der-Rohe Straße 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Valdés H, Saavedra A, Flores M, Vera-Puerto I, Aviña H, Belmonte M. Reverse Osmosis Concentrate: Physicochemical Characteristics, Environmental Impact, and Technologies. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:753. [PMID: 34677518 PMCID: PMC8541667 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11100753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study's aim is to generate a complete profile of reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC), including physicochemical characteristics, environmental impact, and technologies for ROC treatment, alongside element recovery with potential valorization. A systematic literature review was used to compile and analyze scientific information about ROC, and systematic identification and evaluation of the data/evidence in the articles were conducted using the methodological principles of grounded data theory. The literature analysis revealed that two actions are imperative: (1) countries should impose strict regulations to avoid the contamination of receiving water bodies and (2) desalination plants should apply circular economies. Currently, synergizing conventional and emerging technologies is the most efficient method to mitigate the environmental impact of desalination processes. However, constructed wetlands are an emerging technology that promise to be a viable multi-benefit solution, as they can provide simultaneous treatment of nutrients, metals, and trace organic contaminants at a relatively low cost, and are socially accepted; therefore, they are a sustainable solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Valdés
- Centro de Innovación en Ingeniería Aplicada (CIIA), Departamento de Computación e Industrias, Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Católica del Maule (UCM), Av. San Miguel 3605, Talca 3460000, Chile
| | - Aldo Saavedra
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Av. Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins 3363, Estación Central 9160000, Chile
| | - Marcos Flores
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomás, Avenida Carlos Schorr 255, Talca 3473620, Chile;
| | - Ismael Vera-Puerto
- Centro de Innovación en Ingeniería Aplicada (CIIA), Departamento de Obras Civiles, Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Católica del Maule, Av. San Miguel 3605, Talca 3460000, Chile;
| | - Hector Aviña
- iiDEA Group, Department of Industrial and Environmental Process Engineering, Engineering Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Marisol Belmonte
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología, Medio Ambiente e Ingeniería (LABMAI), Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Avda. Leopoldo Carvallo 270, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile;
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13
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Chen QB, Wang J, Liu Y, Zhao J, Li PF, Xu Y. Sustainable disposal of seawater brine by novel hybrid electrodialysis system: Fine utilization of mixed salts. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 201:117335. [PMID: 34175727 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable seawater brine treatment demands an essential paradigm shift for effective recovery of resources and high value utilization of mixed-salts. Here, a novel hybrid electrodialysis (ED) system was proposed that integrated an innovative hybrid selective ED (HSED) and a developed selective bipolar membrane ED (SBMED). The HSED process allowed simultaneous recovery of major divalent cations and anions from seawater brine when NaCl was selectively enriched. Then, the impure NaCl-rich stream was fed directly into the SBMED process for acid/base preparation without any purification pretreatment. Detailed analysis of the HSED process showed that increasing unit voltage from 2.33 V to 2.67 V would improve the removal ratio of Ca2+, Mg2+ and SO42- from 54.7%, 41.4% and 13.3% to 78.9%, 76.6% and 32.1%, respectively. In addition, the increment of initial concentration of product streams promoted the transport of various ions from the feed and middle compartments. The fine utilization performance, in terms of ionic removal ratio and fractionation ratio of divalent ions in the HSED process, was more limited by the initial concentration of product streams. Furthermore, the SBMED stack was found to have nearly identical performance over five cycles, indicating that the presence of a trace amount of hardness cations did not induce scaling. The current study thus provided a novel suitable strategy with a perspective of fine utilization for practical applications in sustainable disposal of seawater brine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Bai Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jianyou Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Yu Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jinli Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Peng-Fei Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
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14
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Ihsanullah I, Atieh MA, Sajid M, Nazal MK. Desalination and environment: A critical analysis of impacts, mitigation strategies, and greener desalination technologies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 780:146585. [PMID: 33774302 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The desalination of seawater is perceived as one of the most viable processes to fulfill the mounting demand for freshwater. Despite enormous economic, social, and health benefits offered by desalination, there are several concerns regarding its prospective environmental impacts (EIs). The objective of this work is to critically evaluate the potential EIs of seawater desalination, and assess the prospects of greener desalination. The EIs of desalination on marine environment, land, groundwater, and air quality was systematically reviewed. An attempt has been made to analyze the actuality of these so-called impacts with reference to evidence from real desalination plants. The mitigative measures to counterbalance these unfavorable impacts are critically appraised. Furthermore, the brine management technologies for the disposal of reject stream, the recovery of precious materials and water, and the production of useful chemicals are also reviewed. Current challenges to minimize the adverse impacts of desalination and prospects of sustainable greener desalination to overwhelm global water scarcities are also discussed. The current desalination approaches have moderate and minor negative EIs. However, with proper mitigation and utilization of modern technologies, these impacts can be lessened. Furthermore, by employing various modern techniques, reject brine can be utilized for several useful applications while reducing its adverse impacts simultaneously. Recent advancements in desalination technologies have also offered many alternative approaches that provide a roadmap towards greener desalination. This review article will be beneficial for all the stakeholders in the desalination industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ihsanullah Ihsanullah
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Muataz A Atieh
- Chemical and Water Desalination Engineering (CWDE) Program, College of Engineering, University of Sharjah, PO Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Muhammad Sajid
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mazen K Nazal
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
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15
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Hosseini H, Saadaoui I, Moheimani N, Al Saidi M, Al Jamali F, Al Jabri H, Hamadou RB. Marine health of the Arabian Gulf: Drivers of pollution and assessment approaches focusing on desalination activities. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 164:112085. [PMID: 33549923 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The Arabian Gulf is one of the most adversely affected marine environments worldwide, which results from combined pollution drivers including climate change, oil and gas activities, and coastal anthropogenic disturbances. Desalination activities are one of the major marine pollution drivers regionally and internationally. Arabian Gulf countries represent a hotspot of desalination activities as they are responsible for nearly 50% of the global desalination capacity. Building desalination plants, up-taking seawater, and discharging untreated brine back into the sea adversely affects the biodiversity of the marine ecosystems. The present review attempted to reveal the potential negative effects of desalination plants on the Gulf's marine environments. We emphasised different conventional and innovative assessment tools used to assess the health of marine environments and evaluate the damage exerted by desalination activity in the Gulf. Finally, we suggested effective management approaches to tackle the issue including the significance of national regulations and regional cooperation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Hosseini
- Algal Technologies Program, Centre for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Imen Saadaoui
- Algal Technologies Program, Centre for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Navid Moheimani
- Algae R&D Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Mohammad Al Saidi
- Algal Technologies Program, Centre for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fahad Al Jamali
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hareb Al Jabri
- Algal Technologies Program, Centre for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
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16
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Sola I, Fernández-Torquemada Y, Forcada A, Valle C, Del Pilar-Ruso Y, González-Correa JM, Sánchez-Lizaso JL. Sustainable desalination: Long-term monitoring of brine discharge in the marine environment. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 161:111813. [PMID: 33157504 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The environmental impact of desalination is the most important concern related to its sustainable development. We present the results of a long-term environmental plan to monitor brine discharge (BD) from a desalination plant located in a high environmental value area in Spain. Generalized additive models were used to analyze the biological parameters of biological communities. Results of 17 years of BD monitoring show how its environmental impact can be minimized through well-planned decision-making between scientists and industry. The brine dilution prior to its discharge into an artificial channel of low ecological value significantly reduced the brine influence area. P. oceanica shoot production and echinoderms abundances were relatively stable across historical series and similar values in control and impacts locations were observed. Conversely, there was a higher abundance and species richness of fishes in the BD area. The important findings reported here should be considered for future applications in similar projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Sola
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, Alicante, Spain; Programa de Doctorado Interdisciplinario en Ciencias Ambientales, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - Yolanda Fernández-Torquemada
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Aitor Forcada
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Carlos Valle
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Yoana Del Pilar-Ruso
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, Alicante, Spain.
| | - José M González-Correa
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, Alicante, Spain.
| | - José Luis Sánchez-Lizaso
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, Alicante, Spain.
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17
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Panagopoulos A, Haralambous KJ. Environmental impacts of desalination and brine treatment - Challenges and mitigation measures. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 161:111773. [PMID: 33128985 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Desalination is perceived as an effective and reliable process for obtaining freshwater from aqueous saline solutions such as brackish water, seawater and brine. This can be clarified by the fact that >300 million people worldwide rely on desalinated water for their daily needs. Although the desalination process offers many advantages, there are rising concerns about possible adverse environmental impacts. Generally, environmental impacts can be generated both in the construction and operation of desalination plants. A major issue of desalination is the co-produced waste called 'brine' or 'reject' which has a high salinity along with chemical residuals and is discharged into the marine environment. In addition to brine, other main issues are the high energy consumption of the desalination and brine treatment technologies as well as the air pollution due to emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) and air pollutants. Other issues include entrainment and entrapment of marine species, and heavy use of chemicals. The purpose of this review is to analyze the potential impacts of desalination and brine treatment on the environment and suggest mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argyris Panagopoulos
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., Zografou, 15780 Athens, Greece.
| | - Katherine-Joanne Haralambous
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., Zografou, 15780 Athens, Greece
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18
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Elsaid K, Sayed ET, Abdelkareem MA, Baroutaji A, Olabi AG. Environmental impact of desalination processes: Mitigation and control strategies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 740:140125. [PMID: 32927546 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater supplies are in shortage relative to the high demand for different human activities, making desalination of saline water a must. Desalination to extract water from saline water has been well established as a reliable non-conventional water supply. However, desalination as any human-based process has resulted in many impacts on the environment. Brine loaded with chemicals being discharged back to the environment, along with greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions being released to the atmosphere, are the most significant impacts, which has been extensively studied, with some efforts given to its mitigation and control. The current work discusses the mitigation and control strategies (M&CS) to the different environmental impacts (EIs) of desalination processes. The article compiles the M&CS in one work, instead of the distributed and separate treatment of the EIs of each desalination step and its respective M&CS as currently present in literature. The article tracks the water flow in an intake-to-outfall approach exploring how to minimize the impacts at each step and as a whole process. This starts from intake, pretreatment processes, desalination technology, and finally, brine discharge. The EIs associated with each desalination process element is thoroughly discussed with proposed M&CS. The work shows clearly that many EIs can be eliminated or minimized by incorporating specific design criteria and process improvements. The feedwater source has shown to have a great effect on EIs. Similarly, desalination technology has shown a considerable effect on the EIs related to brine characteristics and energy consumption. Hybrid and emerging desalination systems have shown reduced EIs relative to conventional thermal and membrane desalination technologies, while the utilization of renewable and waste energy sources has shown a significant reduction in EIs related to energy consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Elsaid
- Chemical Engineering Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3122, USA.
| | - Enas Taha Sayed
- Center for Advanced Materials Research, University of Sharjah, 27272 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, Egypt
| | - Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem
- Center for Advanced Materials Research, University of Sharjah, 27272 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Department of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Sharjah, 27272 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, Egypt
| | - Ahmad Baroutaji
- School of Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Telford Innovation Campus, TF2 9NT, UK
| | - A G Olabi
- Center for Advanced Materials Research, University of Sharjah, 27272 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Department of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Sharjah, 27272 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.
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