![\"View](\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3396\/2018\/07\/24171535\/Figure-1_1024px-Reverse_osmosis_desalination_plant.jpg\")
Figure 1. A view of the reverse osmosis system within a desalination plant.Worldwide, fresh water has become increasingly scarce due to global <\/span>climate change<\/span><\/a>, rising demand, and diminishing local water sources. Although the earth consists of about 71% water, only about 1% of that water is drinkable<\/span>1 <\/sup><\/span>(Figure 2). To sustain growing populations, humanity must be able to fully utilize this abundant resource. <\/span>Desalination<\/span><\/a> of seawater is one solution that has been proposed to coastal areas, which are inhabited by 50% of the human population. While this option could increase the amount of available fresh water, it may also create problems for the surrounding <\/span>ecosystem<\/span><\/a>s<\/span> and organisms living within. California plans to build a multitude of desalination plants along its coastline. However, scientists are actively researching the effects, costs, and benefits of these water treatment facilities.<\/span>\n [caption id=\"attachment_572\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"720\"] The suction of seawater into the plants directly diminishes the livelihood of coastal ecosystems and the treatment of water with chemicals may be equally harmful to the environment. Once the water is treated, a discharge of concentrated saltwater is released into the areas surrounding the desalination plant. This <\/span>effluent<\/span><\/a> is nearly twice as concentrated as the original seawater solution and contains harmful chemicals which were used in the pretreatment of the water such as <\/span>anti-scalant<\/span><\/a>s<\/span>, surfactants, and acid.<\/span>4<\/sup><\/span> If the desalination plants stored this chemically toxic waste, it would require large amounts of space and ongoing maintenance. A potential solution to this problem is the creation of a <\/span>brine<\/span><\/a> stream, which will help redirect <\/span>runoff<\/span><\/a> and diffuse waste, and is separate from a new freshwater stream.<\/span>5<\/sup><\/span> Chlorine dioxide could also be added to intake water as a means of reducing \u201cbiofouling\u201d of seawater. This method is still undergoing testing because the use of chlorine dioxide may lead to the formation of <\/span>hypochlorite<\/span><\/a> and hypobromite. These harmful chemicals can impose health risks on humans as well as aquatic life. People may be exposed to these toxins while swimming in coastal waters or by consuming contaminated seafood.<\/span>6<\/sup><\/span>\n[caption id=\"attachment_570\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"600\"] Many environmental factors can reduce the effectiveness of the desalination process. Algal <\/span>biomass<\/span><\/a> and other organic loads can negatively affect the desalination operation within the pretreatment system, and may force a plant to shut down.<\/span>6<\/sup><\/span> Harmful <\/span>algal bloom<\/span><\/a>s<\/span> may have two potential impacts on seawater desalination facilities. First, the toxins produced by these algal blooms can complicate the reverse osmosis system and cause the water to only be partially cleaned. Second, the suspended solids and organic content from the algal blooms can increase <\/span>turbidity<\/span><\/a> and delay the facility\u2019s treatment process.<\/span>7 <\/sup><\/span>Changes in weather and temperature are important when considering installing desalination plants. Desalination plants are becoming larger not only due to growing populations, but also because of changes in climate and geography.<\/p>\n Coastal ecosystems, especially coral reefs, are highly sensitivity and are expected to change seasonally in upcoming years. During certain seasons the seawater contains nutrients, <\/span>plankton<\/span><\/a>, and suspended solids that are not suitable for intake into desalination plants.<\/span>8<\/sup><\/span> Additionally, seawater level variation could result in unpredictable changes in absorption and efficiency. According to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey, California will be experiencing more frequent and intense <\/span>drought<\/span><\/a>s<\/span> along with flash flooding in the near future.<\/span>9<\/sup><\/span> Desalination plants contribute to these climate change related factors by emission of carbon and sulfur dioxides.<\/span>\n There are alternatives to desalination, such as multi-stage flash <\/span>distillation<\/span><\/a> and multiple-effect distillation. Currently, neither of these distillation techniques is less harmful, or more productive than conventional desalination.<\/span>2<\/sup><\/span> Due to scattered application and limited public attention, the true environmental impacts of desalination are unknown. Although desalination plants may be an effective solution to California\u2019s need for an increased supply of fresh water, the lingering effects of this treatment process may be detrimental to the coastal environment. The beauty of California\u2019s coastline is indispensable for many communities and cannot be compromised to establish a single solution for fresh water scarcity.<\/span>\n Figure 1. A view of the reverse osmosis system within a desalination plant. Worldwide, fresh water has become increasingly scarce due to global <\/span>climate change<\/span><\/a>, rising demand, and diminishing local water sources. Although the earth consists of about 71% water, only about 1% of that water is drinkable<\/span>1 <\/sup><\/span>(Figure 2). To sustain growing populations, humanity must be able to fully utilize this abundant resource. <\/span>Desalination<\/span><\/a> of seawater is one solution that has been proposed to coastal areas, which are inhabited by 50% of the human population. While this option could increase the amount of available fresh water, it may also create problems for the surrounding <\/span>ecosystem<\/span><\/a>s<\/span> and organisms living within. California plans to build a multitude of desalination plants along its coastline. However, scientists are actively researching the effects, costs, and benefits of these water treatment facilities.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n Figure 2. While earth consists of about 71% water, much of that water is non-potable or is inaccessible to humans. The desalination process involves taking seawater and forcing it through <\/span>reverse osmosis<\/span><\/a> membranes to clean it (Figure 1 and 3). This process can negatively impact community land use, increase <\/span>erosion<\/span><\/a>, cause visual and acoustic disturbances, and spread <\/span>emissions<\/span><\/a> into the water and <\/span>atmosphere<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>2<\/sup><\/span> Coastal ecosystems around desalination plants are being threatened by large decreases in primary and secondary consumers as well as the destruction of their fragile environment. When a desalination plant is taking in seawater it also draws in numerous species of aquatic life. The screens contained within the plants will kill these vital <\/span>microorganism<\/span><\/a>s<\/span>, which are needed for consumption by larger species.<\/span>3<\/sup><\/span> A commission staff residing in San Diego estimates that the desalination plants will intake more than 80 million fish <\/span>larvae<\/span><\/a>, eggs, and invertebrates annually along the 160 kilometers (100 miles) of the Southern California coast.<\/span>1<\/sup><\/span> These desalination plants cause severe harm to coastal ecosystems, especially considering that the plants are drawing in seawater that is part of the National Marine <\/span>Sanctuary<\/span><\/a> (Figure 4).<\/span><\/p>\n Figure 3. Reverse osmosis is one technique used to transform salt water into fresh water. The suction of seawater into the plants directly diminishes the livelihood of coastal ecosystems and the treatment of water with chemicals may be equally harmful to the environment. Once the water is treated, a discharge of concentrated saltwater is released into the areas surrounding the desalination plant. This <\/span>effluent<\/span><\/a> is nearly twice as concentrated as the original seawater solution and contains harmful chemicals which were used in the pretreatment of the water such as <\/span>anti-scalant<\/span><\/a>s<\/span>, surfactants, and acid.<\/span>4<\/sup><\/span> If the desalination plants stored this chemically toxic waste, it would require large amounts of space and ongoing maintenance. A potential solution to this problem is the creation of a <\/span>brine<\/span><\/a> stream, which will help redirect <\/span>runoff<\/span><\/a> and diffuse waste, and is separate from a new freshwater stream.<\/span>5<\/sup><\/span> Chlorine dioxide could also be added to intake water as a means of reducing \u201cbiofouling\u201d of seawater. This method is still undergoing testing because the use of chlorine dioxide may lead to the formation of <\/span>hypochlorite<\/span><\/a> and hypobromite. These harmful chemicals can impose health risks on humans as well as aquatic life. People may be exposed to these toxins while swimming in coastal waters or by consuming contaminated seafood.<\/span>6<\/span><\/p>\n Figure 4. Map of Existing and Proposed Desalination Plants in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Many environmental factors can reduce the effectiveness of the desalination process. Algal <\/span>![\"Distribution](\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3396\/2018\/07\/24171538\/Figure-2_Distrubetion-of-Earths-Water.jpg\")
Figure 2. While earth consists of about 71% water, much of that water is non-potable or is inaccessible to humans.
\nCourtesy of Brian Lower. Data from Shiklomanov, 1993. Public Domain.[\/caption]The desalination process involves taking seawater and forcing it through <\/span>reverse osmosis<\/span><\/a> membranes to clean it (Figure 1 and 3). This process can negatively impact community land use, increase <\/span>erosion<\/span><\/a>, cause visual and acoustic disturbances, and spread <\/span>emissions<\/span><\/a> into the water and <\/span>atmosphere<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>2<\/sup><\/span> Coastal ecosystems around desalination plants are being threatened by large decreases in primary and secondary consumers as well as the destruction of their fragile environment. When a desalination plant is taking in seawater it also draws in numerous species of aquatic life. The screens contained within the plants will kill these vital <\/span>microorganism<\/span><\/a>s<\/span>, which are needed for consumption by larger species.<\/span>3<\/sup><\/span> A commission staff residing in San Diego estimates that the desalination plants will intake more than 80 million fish <\/span>larvae<\/span><\/a>, eggs, and invertebrates annually along the 160 kilometers (100 miles) of the Southern California coast.<\/span>1<\/sup><\/span> These desalination plants cause severe harm to coastal ecosystems, especially considering that the plants are drawing in seawater that is part of the National Marine <\/span>Sanctuary<\/span><\/a> (Figure 4).<\/span>\n[caption id=\"attachment_71\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]![\"Reverse](\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3396\/2018\/07\/24171540\/Figure-3_1024px-Simple_RO_schematic.png\")
Figure 3. Reverse osmosis is one technique used to transform salt water into fresh water.
\n(A) Pressure is applied to the
\n(B) Saltwater, which contains
\n(C) Contaminants (such as salt molecules and microorganisms) through a
\n(D) Semi-Permeable Membrane
\n(E) Fresh, potable water is produced on the far side of the membrane where it can then be
\n(F) Distributed as drinking water
\nImage by Colby Fisher, 2013. CC BY-SA 3.0.[\/caption]\n![\"Map](\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3396\/2018\/07\/24171543\/Figure-4_desal1_lg.jpg\")
Figure 4. Map of Existing and Proposed Desalination Plants in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
\nNational Marine Sanctuaries are meant to protect coastal ecosystems from industrial harm. However, desalination plants negatively impact these protected areas.
\nCourtesy of NOAA, 2015. Public Domain.[\/caption]\n
\nReferences<\/h4>\n
\n
Kelly E. Peterson<\/h2>\n
Desalination of seawater is an emerging solution to California\u2019s fresh water scarcity. Communities along California\u2019s coastline have expressed concerns for the well-being of coastal aquatic ecosystems surrounding desalination plants. Is the desalination process harmful to these ecosystems? Are there safer alternatives to obtaining fresh water?<\/h5>\n
<\/p>\n
\nPhotograph by James Grellier, 2010. CC BY-SA 3.0.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\nCourtesy of Brian Lower. Data from Shiklomanov, 1993. Public Domain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\n(A) Pressure is applied to the
\n(B) Saltwater, which contains
\n(C) Contaminants (such as salt molecules and microorganisms) through a
\n(D) Semi-Permeable Membrane
\n(E) Fresh, potable water is produced on the far side of the membrane where it can then be
\n(F) Distributed as drinking water
\nImage by Colby Fisher, 2013. CC BY-SA 3.0.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\nNational Marine Sanctuaries are meant to protect coastal ecosystems from industrial harm. However, desalination plants negatively impact these protected areas.
\nCourtesy of NOAA, 2015. Public Domain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n