Marine Impacts Of Seawater Desalination

Marine Environmental Impact of Seawater Desalination: Science, Management and Policy combines existing studies with the personal research of the author into a unified work describing the effects of seawater desalination on marine environments. In particular, the book identifies knowledge gaps and recommends future research paths that may be taken. The book covers the current and emerging desalination processes, how environmental factors impact desalination operations and the historical and potential impacts of seawater desalination on the marine environment. This book is ideal as a reference for engineers and developers working towards mitigation and prevention of environmental impacts. In addition, scientists and researchers in environmental studies programs, as well as regulators and decision makers will find the data presented in the book to be useful as a guide for building and operating desalination plants. Provides a multidisciplinary approach to help readers understand the environmental impact of seawater desalination on the marine environment Presents environmental effects based on real data, helping the reader improve processes and mitigate effects Includes possible future effects, thus directing the reader towards important research issues

Seawater desalination is a coastal-based industry. The growing number of desalination plants worldwide and the increasing size of single facilities emphasises the need for greener desalination technologies and more sustainable desalination projects. Two complementing approaches are the development and implementation of best available technology (BAT) standards and best practice guidelines for environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies. While BAT is a technology-based approach, which favours state of the art technologies that reduce resource consumption and waste emissions, EIA aims at minimizing impacts at a site- and project-specific level through environmental monitoring, evaluation of impacts, and mitigation where necessary. This book contains a comprehensive evaluation and synthesis of the potential environmental impacts of desalination plants, with emphasis on the marine environment and aspects of energy use, followed by the development of strategies for impact mitigating. A concept for BAT for seawater desalination technologies is proposed, in combination with a methodological approach for the EIA of desalination projects. The scope of the EIA studies are outlined, including environmental monitoring, toxicity and hydrodynamic modelling studies, and the usefulness of multi-criteria analysis as a decision support tool for EIAs is explored and used to compare different intake and pretreatment options for seawater reverse osmosis plants.

This book is designed to help water and wastewater specialists understand and control the effects of the many chemicals, concentrated brines, and other elements released into the environment through desalination operations.

Seawater desalination is increasing globally, and in light of this, it is necessary to look at the environmental and ecological impacts of desalination plants on the marine environment. Marine Impacts of Seawater Desalination: Science, Management, and Policy combines existing studies and new research into a unified work describing the interplay of seawater desalination and the marine environment. In particular, the book identifies knowledge gaps in the current data and recommends future research paths. The book also covers the established and emerging desalination processes and the policies and regulations applied to seawater desalination. Marine Impacts of Seawater Desalination is an ideal reference for engineers and developers working on environmental-related issues of seawater desalination, scientists and researchers studying these issues, as well as regulators and decision makers who can use this book as a useful guide for planning and operating desalination plants. A multidisciplinary approach to understanding the environmental impact of seawater desalination on the marine environment. Real-world data demonstrating the environmental effects of seawater desalination. Impact of seawater quality and marine organisms on desalination operations. Discussion of foreseeable future effects and significant areas for further research on seawater desalination.

The use of seawater desalination is an increasingly sought after alternative for new drinking water supplies in coastal areas, particularly as desalination becomes more economical. This new manual of practice parlays lessons learned from recent studies and global seawater desalination projects into guidance for desalination facilities that are reliable, economical, and environmentally sound. This new manual is specifically designed to help water utility managers and design engineers understand desalination–the technologies, the infrastructure, and the costs–to make informed decisions from planning through treatment plant construction. It explains environmental and ecological impacts of desalination plants, seawater intakes, and the disposal of concentrate discharges back into the ocean. Chapters describe the minerals and other constituents that determine source water quality and, therefore, treatment approaches.

This book collects current scientific information on advanced technologies and management practices associated with the desalination industry in the Middle East and elsewhere around the world. The book opens with introductory chapter which briefly recounts the history of desalination, and describes the current state of development in the field. Part I: Desalination Systems includes ten chapters which describe a variety of techniques and designs intended not only to minimize the impact of desalination, but also to save energy and use natural resources to maximize the output of integrated desalination systems. Among the highlights are a chapter on the use of ceramic membrane technology for sustainable oil water production; a case study on the use of solar heating systems in desalination technology in Oman; discussion of fouling and its effect on design and performance of desalination systems; a review of shore approaches and sea-lines with case studies from Australia and Germany; and a discussion of the integration of desalination technology with renewable energy for climate change abatement in the Middle East and North Africa region. Part II: Environmental Systems includes among others a chapter on regulating the use of water resources and desalination technology on a regional scale reducing the carbon footprint of desalination, with examples from Australia; a description of desalination for irrigation in the Souss Massa region in the south of Morocco; a study of the impact of the coastal intake environment on operating conditions of thermal desalination plants in the United Arab Emirates; a discussion of hydrodynamic and thermal dispersion modeling of the effluent in a coastal channel, with a case study from Oman; and a mathematical model study of effluent disposal from a desalination plant in the marine environment at Tuticorin in India. The book aims to inspire developments in desalination technologies which are specifically aimed at reducing energy consumption and cost, and minimizing environmental impact.

This book was written by undergraduate students at The Ohio State University (OSU) who were enrolled in the class Introduction to Environmental Science. The chapters describe some of Earth's major environmental challenges and discuss ways that humans are using cutting-edge science and engineering to provide sustainable solutions to these problems. Topics are as diverse as the students, who represent virtually every department, school and college at OSU. The environmental issue that is described in each chapter is particularly important to the author, who hopes that their story will serve as inspiration to protect Earth for all life.

Desalination Technology: Health and Environmental Impacts covers the latest developments in desalination, examining the environmental and public health-related impacts of these technologies. Written by international experts, the text presents specifications for assessing water quality, technical issues associated with desalination technologies, and the chemical aspects of desalinated water and its microbiology. The book also discusses environmental protection issues that assist in the optimization of proposed and existing desalination facilities to ensure that nations and consumers enjoy the benefits of the expanded access to desalinated water. This includes coverage of health and environmental issues such as energy conservation and sustainability as well as protection of delicate coastal ecosystems and groundwater from contamination by surface disposal of concentrates—challenges that must be addressed during the design, construction, and operation of a desalination facility. Development of new and improved desalinization technologies, including major cost reduction trends, have significantly broadened the opportunities to access large quantities of safe water in many parts of the world. And while there are many books available on desalination, this book’s unusual approach blends technical coverage of the latest technologies with coverage of the environmental and public health-related impacts of these technologies, setting it apart from other resources. It provides technical guidance based on the practical expertise of a balanced group of international scientists and engineers.