Increasing Water Salinity Research Articles

Effect of Salinity on Corrosion Behavior of DH36 Steel in Seawater Immersion Zone

Aimed at the corrosion problem of DH36 steel in the seawater full immersion zone, corrosion environment of full immersion zone has been simulated with artificial seawater in laboratory. The corrosion behaviors of DH36 steel in the full immersion zone were investigated by using full immersion tests. The morphology of corrosion products was observed by SEM. Using regression analysis to establish the relationship between salinity and the corrosion of DH36 steel. The results showed that the corrosion of DH36 steel immersed in full immersion zone corroded seriously, the corrosion rate of DH36 steel firstly increased and then decreased with the increase of water salinity.

Hydrogeochemistry and groundwater mixing close to an oil field: an example from Asmari karstic aquifer, Khuzestan, Iran

Abstract Both carbonate (as the oil-gas reservoir) and evaporite rocks (as caprock) coexist in the Masjed Soleyman oil field. The Asmari karstic aquifer is formed within Oligo-Miocene carbonate rocks in the south of the oil reservoir. A mixing between fresh karstic groundwater and oil-field brines is to be expected because of underground migration of the brines toward the aquifer. This process can reduce the groundwater quality by both increasing the water salinity and by adding hydrocarbon and sulfur contaminants into the groundwater. Tembi river contains saline water that can affect groundwater resources. Leaking of these brines into the aquifer was distinguished using total dissolved solids, the relative concentration of major elements, bromide ion (as a trace element), total organic carbon, ion ratios, and mixing curve diagrams. The polluted zone was determined by tracking the hydrochemistry changes across the groundwater flow direction. The volume percentage of different water sources in mixed groundwater was calculated and validated using PHREEQC software. The results revealed that the contribution of the oil-field brine in the groundwater is much lower than the salty river brine, but even this low amount has a considerable impact on water quality by increasing water salinity and adding hydrocarbon and sulfur into the groundwater.

Effect of seawater ionic composition modified by nanofiltration on enhanced oil recovery in Berea sandstone

Water ionic composition significantly influences reservoir wettability and hence microscopic oil sweep. However, there is no clear explanation of how the ion composition of injection water influences the oil displacement. In this work, aqueous solutions were formulated from seawater using nanofiltration (NF) membranes, which has been currently used to remove sulfate from seawater in offshore oil prospecting. The effect of the interfacial tension (IFT) of water/crude oil, zeta potential and contact angle (CA) at water/crude oil/rock interface was evaluated to identify changes in wettability and also to relate with spontaneous imbibition experiments. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the injection aqueous solutions composition on wettability and oil recovery in sandstone reservoirs.The results demonstrate that it is possible to improve the oil recovery efficiency by controlling the injection water salinity using NF process. Increased water salinity resulted in lower electrokinetic potential near the sandstone surface, approaching null values, suggesting adsorption of cations. The oil droplet interface also was affected in a similar way. Furthermore, in the presence of low salinity water, both rock and oil zeta potential was negative, which leads the electrical double layer (EDL) expansion, changing wettability and intensifying spontaneous imbibition.

Initial development of cowpea plants under salt stress and phosphate fertilization

The objective of this work was to study the effects of irrigation with saline water associated with phosphate fertilization on the emergence and early growth of cowpea plants. The assay was conducted in the greenhouse of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Technology of the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid (UFERSA) in Mossoró-RN, during October and November of 2015. The study adopted a randomized block with treatments arranged in a 5 x 3 grid, corresponding to five levels of water salinity (0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 dS m-1) and three doses of superphosphate, based upon the soil analysis (60%, 100% and 140% of the recommended dose for the crop 60 kg P2O5 ha-1), with five repetitions. The cowpea plants, cv. Paulistinha, were grown in lysimeters with capacity of 8 dm3. During the first 15 days of the initial stage of development the plants were evaluated for emergence, growth and biomass accumulation. The increase in water salinity above 1.5 dSm-1 reduced the emergence, growth and dry matter accumulation of cowpea plants. The increase of 40% in the recommendation of phosphorus fertilization of cowpea increased the growth and biomass accumulation of shoot plants, regardless of salinity.

Biochemical components and dry matter of lemon and mandarin hybrids under salt stress

ABSTRACT The objective was to study the biochemical changes and dry matter content in lemon and mandarin hybrids under salt stress during rootstock formation. For this, a study was conducted in randomized complete block, using a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, with two salinity levels (0.3 and 4.0 dS m-1) applied in five citrus rootstock genotypes (1. TSKC x CTARG - 019; 2. LRF; 3. TSKC x (LCR x TR) - 040; 4. LCRSTC and 5. LVK), with three replicates and four plants per plot. At 90 days after sowing, saline treatments started to be applied and continued until 120 days after sowing, the moment in which the plants were collected for evaluation of biochemical characteristics and phytomass accumulation. The increase in water salinity negatively affected the biochemical components and dry matter accumulation of citrus genotypes. The genotypes TSKC x (LCR x TR) - 040, LCRSTC and LVK were the least affected by salt stress, standing out as the materials most tolerant to salinity.

CHANGES IN THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE KENTI RIVER SYSTEM WATER UNDER HUMAN IMPACT

C hanges in the water chemical composition in the tailings pond and the Kenti lake-river system under the impact of the Kostomuksha mining and processing plant were determined using data of long-term hydrochemical observations (1970–2015). It was found that releases from the tailings pond influence d the Kenti river system the most, and led to a significant increase in water salinity , concentrations of K + , SO 4 2- , NO 3 - , Ni and Li, and to a decrease in organic matter content in comparison with the natural state. Pollution of the tailings pond waters and Kenti river system was estimated using high-priority pollution indices.

Water quality assessment and hydrochemical characterization of Zamzam groundwater, Saudi Arabia

This study focuses on chemical and microbial analyses of 50 Zamzam water samples, Saudi Arabia. The soluble ions, trace elements, total colony counts, total coliform group, and E. coli were determined and compared with WHO standards. The obtained results indicated that the dissolved salts, soluble cations and anions, Pb, Cd, As, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cr, PO43−, NO2−, Br−, F−, NH4+, and Li+, were within permissible limits for all samples. Yet, 2% of waters contain NO3− at slightly high concentration. The water quality index (WQI) reveals that 94% of the samples were excellent for drinking (class I). While the remaining was unsuitable due to total coliform group contamination “class (V)”. Durov diagram suggest no clear facies and dominant water type can be noted. It indicates mixing processes of two or more different facies might be occurring in the groundwater system. All studied waters were undersaturated with respect to halite, gypsum, fluorite, and anhydrite. These minerals tend to dissolve and increase water salinity. A direct relationship between Zamzam water salinity and rainfall is recorded. The water salinity fluctuated between 4500 mg L−1 (year 1950) and 500 mg L−1 (year 2015) based on rainfall extent. The approach applied can be used to similar groundwater worldwide.

EFFECT OF USING IRRIGATION WATER IN DEFFIRENT QUALITIES AND BIO-FERTILIZER IN SOME CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF CALCAREOUS SOIL

A pots experiment was conducted at the canopy wood of Agriculture - University of Baghdad (Abu-Ghraib) during summer season of 2014 to study the effect of irrigation water quality and biofertilizer and their interactions on some soil chemical properties and growth of corn. Treatments included three water qualities river water (1.5 ds.m-1 ''Q1''), well water (4.4 ds.m-1 ''Q3'') and mixed water (3.0 ds.m-1 ''Q2'') and two levels of biofertilizer (without inoculation ''B0'' and inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas fluorescens ''B1'') applied to clay loam soil, using complete randomization design (CRD) in three replicates. The results of study Soil EC values increased with increasing water salinity giving 5.18, 6.03 and 6.70 ds.m-1 for Q1, Q2 and Q3, respectively. And significantly increased exchange capacity of the cation ions CEC reached 22.20, 23.01 and 24.31 c mole c kg-1 soil for Q1, Q2 and Q3, respectively. Irrigation water salinity also led to a significant increase in soil organic matter content reached 11.06, 12.55 and 13.90 gm.kg-1 soil for Q1, Q2 and Q3, respectively. Biofertilization led to decrease in rates a significant values electrical conductivity (EC) increase exchange capacity of the cation ions CEC and organic matter soil.

Salinity-Dependent Shift in the Localization of Three Peptide Transporters along the Intestine of the Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus).

The peptide transporter (PepT) systems are well-known for their importance to protein absorption in all vertebrate species. These symporters use H+ gradient at the apical membrane of the intestinal epithelial cells to mediate the absorption of small peptides. In fish, the intestine is a multifunctional organ, involved in osmoregulation, acid-base regulation, and nutrient absorption. Therefore, we expected environmental stimuli to affect peptide absorption. We examined the effect of three environmental factors; salinity, pH and feeding, on the expression, activity and localization of three PepT transporters (PepT1a, PepT1b, PepT2) along the intestine of the Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) analysis demonstrated that the two PepT1 variants are typical to the proximal intestinal section while PepT2 is typical to the distal intestinal sections. Immunofluorescence analysis with custom-made antibodies supported the qPCR results, localized both transporters on the apical membrane of enterocytes and provided the first evidence for the participation of PepT2 in nutrient absorption. This first description of segment-specific expression and localization points to a complementary role of the different peptide transporters, corresponding to the changes in nutrient availability along the intestine. Both gene expression and absorption activity assays showed that an increase in water salinity shifted the localization of the PepT genes transcription and activity down along the intestinal tract. Additionally, an unexpected pH effect was found on the absorption of small peptides, with increased activity at higher pH levels. This work emphasizes the relationships between different functions of the fish intestine and how they are affected by environmental conditions.

Exergetic and economic analysis of two-pass RO desalination proposed plant for domestic water and irrigation

Improving reverse osmosis desalination through reducing power consumption and improving exergy efficiency for acceptable operation conditions is the objective of this study. It covers the influence of recovery ratio on different two-pass reverse osmosis desalination configurations at different sea water temperature and salinity, focusing on power consumption, cost, exergy efficiency and exergy destruction for a proposed 24000m3/day two-pass reverse osmosis desalination plant in Libya. The results show that as the recovery ratio increases the exergy destruction decreases and exergy efficiency increases, with a slight decline in the cost of cubic meter with sea water salinity increase. A configuration incorporating pressure exchanger and energy recovery turbine has the highest exergy efficiency and lowest water cost. While the configuration without these has the lowest total capital cost, it has the highest life time cost due to high power consumption.

Effectiveness of aluminium based coagulants for pre-treatment of coal seam water

Brackish coal seam water produced from the coal seam gas (CSG) industry is often treated by reverse osmosis to make the water suitable for beneficial reuse. As such, pre-treatment technologies are required in order to minimise membrane fouling. It was our hypothesis that coagulants may be able to remove problematic dissolved ions such as alkaline earth ions and soluble silicate species which are responsible for scaling of membranes and equipment. Consequently, this study evaluated the performance of aluminium chlorohydrate and aluminium sulphate coagulants for both simulated coal seam water and water collected from operating CSG wells. For simulated coal seam water samples the degree of dissolved silica removal was generally high (>85%) and promoted by increasing water salinity. Aluminium sulphate was better at removing silica (c.f. 94–92%), barium (c.f. 87–20%), strontium (c.f. 66–15%) and magnesium (c.f. 16–7.5%) and worse at removing calcium (44–65%) compared to aluminium chlorohydrate from simulated coal seam water, respectively. Variation in coal seam water composition of relatively concentrated solutions detrimentally impacted alkaline earth ion removal and in some instances reduced the extent of dissolved silica removal. When coal seam water samples for operating wells were studied, the amount of aluminium chlorohydrate required was significantly increased and the silica removal process inhibited (50% compared to 92% for simulated CS water). It was proposed that the presence of organic species in the real coal seam water played an important role in the mode by which the coagulants operated. Future studies should focus on understanding in more detail the influence of organic matter and influence of dissolved cations and anions upon coagulant behaviour.

The impact of droughts on the mineralization of reservoirs in northeastern Brazil

The climatic features of northeastern Brazil result in the almost complete absence of river runoff during drought periods. The extreme irregularity of runoff in the reservoirs of the region leads to an increase in water salinity by the end of the drought. The degree of mineralization growth with respect to the reservoir volume at the beginning of the dry period and the amount of water abstraction from this reservoir during this period was estimated via the calculation of water mineralization for conditions in which there is no flow to reservoirs. These estimates are presented in the form of graphical calculation diagrams for three reservoirs of the Brazilian Ceara state.

Assessing host response to disease treatment: how chytrid-susceptible frogs react to increased water salinity

Context The severity and prevalence of the amphibian fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is correlated with several environmental variables, including salinity, temperature, and moisture content, which influence the pathogen’s growth and survival. Habitats that contain these environmental variables at levels outside of those optimal for Bd growth and survival may facilitate the survival of susceptible host species. Therefore, manipulation of environmental salinity is a potential management strategy to help conserve Bd-susceptible species. However, host behaviour also influences disease dynamics, and the success of habitat manipulation programs depends on how hosts use this altered habitat. Aims To assess if the Bd-susceptible green and golden bell frog, Litoria aurea, will select waterbodies with a salinity increased to S=3; if this selection is affected by infection; and if a frog’s time in a waterbody of this salinity affects infection load or blood physiology. Methods We conducted a filmed choice experiment and a 3-year field study where infected and uninfected frogs could choose between fresh or saline waterbodies. Key results In both the laboratory experiment and field study, Bd-infected L. aurea spent a significantly greater amount of time in or closer to a waterbody than uninfected frogs. Experimentally infected frogs tended to prefer the saline water over fresh, but their choice of water usage did not differ statistically from uninfected frogs. In the field, frogs began to avoid ponds when salinities rose above S=5. Conclusions Because both wild and captive, and infected and uninfected L. aurea readily selected waterbodies with a salinity of S=3, this salinity could potentially be used as a passive method for reducing the severity of Bd when managing this species. However, further testing is needed to understand the efficacy of this treatment, and care must be taken to prevent salinities rising above S=5, because this level seems to produce an avoidance response and therefore may not be suitable in every location. Implications Manipulation of aquatic habitats may be a worthwhile focus for Bd management in habitats where water level fluctuations are minimal.

Corrigendum: Increased water salinity applied to tomato plants accelerates the development of the leaf miner Tuta absoluta through bottom-up effects.

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 32403; published online: 13 September 2016; updated: 13 December 2016

Effects of water salinity and nitrogen fertilization on the growth and yield of ‘BRS Gabriela’ castor beans

The castor bean has attracted the attention of many farmers as an alternative crop for the National Program of Biofuel and its extensive use in the ricinochemical industry. The crop requires large planting areas to meet the demands of the fuel market. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation water salinity and nitrogen fertilization on the growth and production of castor beans, ‘BRS Gabriela’, in a protected environment. The present study was conducted at the Center of Technology and Natural Resources of the Federal University of Campina Grande. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 5 × 4 factorial with three replications and one plant per plot. The treatments consisted of irrigation water with five electrical conductivity (ECw) levels of 0.7, 1.7, 2.7, 3.7, and 4.7 dS m-1 associated with four nitrogen levels of 60, 80, 100, and 120 mg of N kg-1 of soil. The interaction between water salinity and nitrogen rates did not exert significant effects on the variables studied. Increased salinity of irrigation water affected the growth in height and stem diameter of castor beans in all periods, and leaf area from 90 days after sowing. Increased nitrogen levels had a positive effect on leaf area at 60, 90, 120, and 150 days after sowing. The total mass of seeds, one hundred seed mass, yield, and number of fruits per plant decreased with the increase in water salinity, and the total mass of seeds was the most affected variable.

Increased water salinity applied to tomato plants accelerates the development of the leaf miner Tuta absoluta through bottom-up effects.

Variation in resource inputs to plants may trigger bottom-up effects on herbivorous insects. We examined the effects of water input: optimal water vs. limited water; water salinity: with vs. without addition of 100 mM NaCl; and their interactions on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum), and consequently, the bottom-up effects on the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meytick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Plant growth was significantly impeded by limited water input and NaCl addition. In terms of leaf chemical defense, the production of tomatidine significantly increased with limited water and NaCl addition, and a similar but non-significant trend was observed for the other glycoalkaloids. Tuta absoluta survival did not vary with the water and salinity treatments, but the treatment “optimal water-high salinity” increased the development rate without lowering pupal mass. Our results suggest that caution should be used in the IPM program against T. absoluta when irrigating tomato crops with saline water.

Interactive effects of salinity and ozonated water on yield components of cucumber

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of salt stress and ozone on yield and yield components of cucumber. The treatments were defined by a two-factorial design of three irrigation water salinity levels (2, 4 and 6 dS/m) and three ozone concentrations (0, 0.5 and 1 ppm). After germination, cucumber seeds were grown in pots containing soil, coco peat and perlite and fed with Hoagland’s solution and were imposed with salt and ozone treatments. The results showed that salinity of irrigation water significantly reduced fruit yield of cucumber owing to a decrease both in fruit number and fruit weight. Also, statistical testing showed significant reductions in vitamin C, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root with increasing water salinity. Ozonated water improved fruit yield by increasing fruit number, but had no significant effect on fruit weight. Application of ozone caused significant increases in fresh and dry weight of shoot and leaf area but caused a significant decrease in the vitamin C. Generally, using ozonated water irrigation can induce positive effect on cucumber under salt stress. In conclusion, the saline water in combination with ozone could be recommended in strategic management to grow cucumber (without impaired effects on crop quantity).

English

Licania rigida Benth. (oiticica) is a native species from the Northeastern Brazil. In this sense, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of irrigation with saline water and organic matter on the growth and quality of oiticica seedlings. The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block using a 5 × 2 factorial design related to electrical conductivity of irrigation water at 0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 dS m-1 in a substrate with and without organic castor bean compost (Ricinus communis) and soil in a volume ratio of 0:1 and 1:1 v/v. Growth in height, stem diameter, leaf number, leaf area, chlorophyll a and b and total chlorophyll indices, shoot and root dry matter and Dickson Quality Index were evaluated. The increase in water salinity inhibited biometric growth, seedlings production of root and shoot biomass, chlorophyll content and Dickson Quality Index. Increase in water salinity, except for root biomass, inhibited biometric growth, shoot biomass accumulation, chlorophyll a, b and total, chlorophyll indexes and quality index of oiticica seedlings. In the results, although the Dickson Quality Index did not decrease with increasing water salinity and did not vary among treatments with and without organic compost, the transplanting of seedlings in the field was found to be suitable. Key words: Salinity, organic compost, oiticica.

Investigating effects of water salinity on geotechnical properties of fine-grained soil and quartz in a sandstone case study: Ajichay project in northwest Iran

The effect of water salinity on the geotechnical properties of a CL soil and mechanical properties of a quartz sandstone has been studied using samples from the Ajichay project, located in the northwest of Iran. The purpose of this investigation is to investigate the feasibility of using saline water in processing the clay core of earthen dams in this area. One-dimensional consolidation, swelling, and uniaxial compressive strength tests were performed on the soil with distilled, half-saline, and saline water. To evaluate the effect of water salinity on the sandstones placed in the abutments of the dams, the slake durability index and uniaxial compressive strength were investigated. Results indicated that the compressibility index decreased, hydraulic conductivity decreased, and uniaxial compressive strength of the soil increased with increasing water salinity. The soil swelling percent with all three waters was less than 1 % after 24 h. However, swelling percent increased by 23 % with saline water and decreased by 32 % with half-saline water. Some damage in the rock texture such as disaggregation, weathering, and corrosion of the feldspars along with the dissolution of carbonate cement was observed in thin sections after 6 months of immersion in saline water. The strength of the sandstones exposed to saline water for 5 months decreased by between 5 and 13 %.

Papaya seedlings irrigation with saline water in soil with bovine biofertilizer

Water used for irrigation in semiarid regions of the world is not always of good quality, and may contain salts levels that inhibit plants growth. This study was conducted to evaluate the growth of papaya (Carica papaya L.) 'Golden’ seedlings irrigated with saline water in soil with and without bovine biofertilizer produced by anaerobic fermentation of a mixture of fresh bovine manure and water. The experiment was carried out in Areia County, Paraiba State, Brazil. Treatments were distributed in randomized blocks using a factorial design 5 × 2 relative to five salinity levels in irrigation water of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1 in soil with and without bovine biofertilizer, corresponding to 10% of the substrate volume. At 90 d after emergence (DAE), both the electrical conductivity (EC) in soil saturation extract, biometric growth and DM production of papaya seedlings were evaluated. Increased salinity from 0.5 to 4.0 dS m-1 raised, within 90 DAE, soil EC of saturation extract (ECse) from 1.19 to 3.95 dS m-1 and from 1.23 to 3.63 dS m-1 in treatments with and without bovine biofertilizer, respectively. Also, the increase in water salinity from 0.5 dS m-1 to the estimated maximum values ranging from 1.46 to 2.13 dS m-1 stimulated seedling height to 11.42 and 18.72 cm in soil with and without bovine biofertilizer, respectively. Higher salinity levels in irrigation water increased soil salinity levels to values that inhibited both growth and quality of papaya seedlings, but with less severity when treated with bovine biofertilizer.