Understanding potential brine disposal impacts of a desalination plant on coastal waters

Coordenador: Serter Atabay

Integrantes: Geórgenes Hilário Cavalcante Segundo / Edmo Campos.

Descrição: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has witnessed enormous urbanization and intense growth within the last quarter century and this urbanization with high levels of anthropogenic activities puts intensive pressure on vulnerable coastal areas of UAE and on limited natural resources. Groundwater is very limited resources in the UAE and desalination is the only alternative process to produce fresh water. All desalination plants in UAE are located at the coastline and their effluent discharges directly into the sea with the assumption of quick dispersion. However, the brine disposal with the high salt concentration will have detrimental effects on the environment and marine ecosystem. It is therefore essential to predict the effect of brine disposal and to reduce the negative impacts of this disposal. This research proposal will focus on the Hamriyah desalination plant, operated and owned by Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA).

Financiador: American University of Sharjah - Auxílio financeiro.