Australian Universities to Study Desalination Effects on Marine Life

Deakin University and the University of Western Australia are to collaborate on a study to assess the effects of desalination on marine ecosystems.

The A$1.1m ($1.1m) study will evaluate the impact of hyper-saline discharge on key marine species such as sea grasses, clams and marine fish to brine exposure, then develop risk assessment and mitigation strategies for the release of desalination waste brine into the environment.

The study will be carried out in a desalination area in Western Australian over the next three years. The findings are expected to help operators of desalination plants dispose of brine with the least impact on the marine environment.