Application of salinity thresholds in Spanish brine discharge regulations: Energetic and environmental implications
| Autor: | Yolanda Fernández-Torquemada, Yoana Del-Pilar-Ruso, Iván Sola, José Luis Sánchez-Lizaso, Rubén Navarro Barrio, Fabio Blanco-Murillo |
|---|---|
| Přispěvatelé: | Universidad de Alicante. Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Biología Marina, Recursos Hídricos y Desarrollo Sostenible |
| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
General Chemical Engineering
Seagrasses 02 engineering and technology Desalination 020401 chemical engineering Brining Zoología General Materials Science 0204 chemical engineering Water Science and Technology Brine discharge management biology Reverse osmosis Mechanical Engineering Environmental impact statements Environmental engineering General Chemistry Energy consumption 021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology biology.organism_classification Dilution Salinity Environmental impact statement Dilution ratio Posidonia oceanica Environmental science Salinity thresholds 0210 nano-technology |
| Zdroj: | Desalination. 501:114901 |
| ISSN: | 0011-9164 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.desal.2020.114901 |
| Popis: | This paper reviews the application of salinity thresholds in the Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) in Spanish desalination plants. Lower salinity thresholds than those recommended by the scientific community for the protection of the Posidonia oceanica meadows were established in the EIS in 2005, whereas after this year thresholds more consistent with scientific recommendations were established. In addition, as a case study, the energy consumption of these lower thresholds was analyzed using the brine discharge of the Alicante desalination plants. The threshold of 38.3 psu was easily exceeded, which resulted in increased dilution ratio and higher energy consumption. The cost of the dilution was more than 600,000 kwh and €50,000 for a six-month period. The dilution ratio and energy consumption would have been considerably decreased without any negative environmental effects on marine environment if the applied value was 38.5 psu as it has been suggested. Therefore, it is recommended to unify the salinity thresholds in the applied Spanish regulations for the protection of P. oceanica meadows based on the best available scientific evidence to avoid additional energy-economic costs. This work was funded by Mancomunidad de Canales del Taibilla. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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