Review of the management of brine discharges in Spain

Abstract

Seawater desalination is an expanding procedure to supply coastal regions with freshwater. Such developments introduce a significant amount of brine effluent into marine environments and highlight an important global need to minimize associated impact on marine environment. We review the measures adopted to manage the impacts of brine discharge in Spain by analyzing published and gray literature and empirical field data of several desalination plants. Several studies have identified the potential impacts of desalination plant effluent on marine communities and their mitigation. Applications of this knowledge have facilitated development of the Spanish desalination sector without significantly impacting the marine environment or, when identified, how such impacts have been reverted. Cooperation between industry and environmental scientists has been a crucial factor for understanding and minimizing the impacts of desalination. The application of environmental monitoring plans has further provided important tools to identify and correct the potential impacts of effluents. The example in Spain provides a comprehensive approach for minimizing the potential environmental impacts of brine discharge that can be applied in regions where desalination practices are under development.