Seawater desalination and the marine environment: What have we learned from Cyprus and Kuwait?

Authors:

Küpper F.C.1,2,3,4*, Avramidi E.1, Massoud M.K.1, Farhan M. 1, Nadzari M.1, Hajiya Hasan A.1, Resaikos V.5, Louca V.1

Affiliations:

1 School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, St. Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, Scotland, UK

2 Oceanography Center, University of Cyprus, 1 Panepistimiou Av., 2109 Aglandjia, Nicosia, Cyprus

3 Marine Biodiscovery Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, UK

4 Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182-1030, USA

5 Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, Acropoleos 2, CY-2101Aglantzia, Cyprus

* presenting author. Email: fkuepper@abdn.ac.uk

Abstract:

Seawater desalination has become an essential part of the water supply in many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. Based upon our work in Cyprus and Kuwait, this paper explores the various impacts of brine discharge on the marine environment including seagrass meadows, benthic diatoms and invertebrates, microbial communities, and fish populations. Besides the obvious impacts of increased salinity, also the potential significance of iron(III) emissions from desalination plants is considered.