Waste brine disposal from coastal desalination plants

The impact of brine effluent from large desalting plants on the marine biota of coastal environments is reviewed. Increased salinity and temperature and the presence of heavy metals such as iron, copper and nickel are properties of waste brine which impose a potential stress on marine ecosystems. The results of engineering studies have shown that the harmful effects of waste brine can be minimized or eliminated by diluting the effluent with cooling water from the heat exchangers; by employing properly designed outfalls which will rapidly disperse the brine; and By using chelation or ion exchange systems to remove trace metals before the brine is discharged into the sea.