Artificial kidneys for the soil — solving the problem of salinization of the soil and underground water

Abstract

Over the years the phenomenon of salinization of the soil has become a major problem in areas of low precipitation. For example, in the South-Western area of Israel there are areas of land with high salinity as well as increase of the salinity in the upper layer of underground water. The solution that is now implemented in Israel is similar to the physiological process of removing the extra salt out of the body. Inland desalination plants are being built in the places where salinization of underground water was discovered. The brine which is the by-product of these plants is rejected to the sea. In this manner the salt is removed from the ground. In analogy to a human dialysis operation one might say that the desalination plants serve as artificial kidneys for the soil. While till now the decision to build desalination plants for brackish water was based exclusively on water supply needs, this is the first time desalination of brackish water is a solution to the problem of salinization of the soil and underground water. The presentation will display the planning of the systems, the pilot plants which were built in order to define the system parameters and to find solutions to scaling problems in the long brine pipe, as well as a broad review of the actual building process of the plants and their operational aspect.