Abstract
Marine environment of the Arabian Gulf is naturally stressed due to marked fluctuations in sea temperatures and high salinities. Anthropogenically induced stresses including waste water discharges from desalination plants could pose additional threats to the coastal and marine ecosystems in the Arabian Gulf. Macrobenthic assemblages in the proximity of two major desalination plants that use Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) and brackish water Reverse Osmosis (RO) technologies in Bahrain were investigated. Reduced levels of biodiversity and abundance were recorded in sampling stations adjacent to the outlet of MSF reflecting severe impacts on macrobenthic assemblages caused by brine effluents that associated with high temperatures, salinities, and a range of chemical and heavy metal pollutants. Although localized severe impacts on macrobenthic assemblages were detected, collective discharges of desalination effluents, may synergistically contribute to the degradation of the naturally stressed marine ecosystems and natural resources in the Arabian Gulf.
Highlights
The Arabian Gulf countries are witnessing rapid industrial development and population growth, which increase the need for fresh water [1]
Reduced levels of biodiversity and abundance were recorded in sampling stations adjacent to the outlet of Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) reflecting severe impacts on macrobenthic assemblages caused by brine effluents that associated with high temperatures, salinities, and a range of chemical and heavy metal pollutants
Differences of 5 ̊C to 15 ̊C above ambient seawater temperature have been reported near the outlet mixing zone of MSF desalination plants [23]
Summary
The Arabian Gulf countries are witnessing rapid industrial development and population growth, which increase the need for fresh water [1]. These countries are characterized by low precipitation and high aridity. Most of the fresh water needs in the Arabian Gulf countries are being obtained from seawater through the various processes of desalination, including MultiStage Flash (MSF), and seawater/brackish Reverse Osmosis (RO) [2]. 79,250 m3 of effluents from these plants are being discharged into the marine environment on a daily basis These effluents, including brine waters, are modified in their chemical and physical properties, which affect the seawaters’ temperature and salinity and subsequently marine ecosystems [5]
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