Editing Brine (section)

== Desalination ==
The [[desalination]] process consists of the separation of [[Salt (chemistry)|salts]] from an [[aqueous solution]] to obtain [[fresh water]] from a source of [[seawater]] or [[brackish water]]; and in turn, a discharge is generated, commonly called brine.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mezher |first1=Toufic |last2=Fath |first2=Hassan |last3=Abbas |first3=Zeina |last4=Khaled |first4=Arslan |date=2011-01-31 |title=Techno-economic assessment and environmental impacts of desalination technologies |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011916410006296 |journal=Desalination |volume=266 |issue=1 |pages=263–273 |doi=10.1016/j.desal.2010.08.035 |bibcode=2011Desal.266..263M |issn=0011-9164}}</ref>
[[File:Brine Discharge (Iván Sola).jpg|thumb|Marine brine discharge in [[Chile]] with its surrounding [[marine life]]]]

=== Characteristics ===
The characteristics of the [[Discharge (hydrology)|discharge]] depend on different factors, such as the desalination [[technology]] used, [[salinity]] and [[Water quality|quality]] of the water used, [[Natural environment|environmental]] and [[Oceanography|oceanographic]] characteristics, desalination process carried out, among others.<ref name="Panagopoulos 111773">{{Cite journal |last1=Panagopoulos |first1=Argyris |last2=Haralambous |first2=Katherine-Joanne |date=December 2020 |title=Environmental impacts of desalination and brine treatment - Challenges and mitigation measures |url=https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111773 |journal=Marine Pollution Bulletin |volume=161 |issue=Pt B |pages=111773 |doi=10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111773 |pmid=33128985 |bibcode=2020MarPB.16111773P |issn=0025-326X}}</ref> The discharge of desalination plants by [[Seawater Reverse Osmosis|seawater reverse osmosis]] (SWRO), are mainly characterized by presenting a salinity concentration that can, in the worst case, double the salinity of the seawater used, and unlike of [[thermal desalination]] plants, have practically the same [[temperature]] and [[Oxygen saturation|dissolved oxygen]] as the seawater used.<ref name="Abessi 2018 259–303">{{Citation |last=Abessi |first=Ozeair |title=Brine Disposal and Management—Planning, Design, and Implementation |date=2018 |work=Sustainable Desalination Handbook |pages=259–303 |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809240-8.00007-1 |access-date=2024-04-09 |publisher=Elsevier |doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-809240-8.00007-1|isbn=978-0-12-809240-8 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mezher |first1=Toufic |last2=Fath |first2=Hassan |last3=Abbas |first3=Zeina |last4=Khaled |first4=Arslan |date=January 2011 |title=Techno-economic assessment and environmental impacts of desalination technologies |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2010.08.035 |journal=Desalination |volume=266 |issue=1–3 |pages=263–273 |doi=10.1016/j.desal.2010.08.035 |bibcode=2011Desal.266..263M |issn=0011-9164}}</ref>

=== Dissolved chemicals ===
The discharge could contain [[Trace element|trace chemical products]] used during the industrial treatments applies,such as [[Antiscalant|antiscalants]],<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chuan Yee Lee |first1=Brandon |last2=Tan |first2=Eileen |last3=Lu |first3=Yinghong |last4=Komori |first4=Hideyuki |last5=Pietsch |first5=Sara |last6=Goodlett |first6=Robb |last7=James |first7=Matt |date=2023-10-01 |title=Antiscalant and its deactivation in zero/minimized liquid discharge (ZLD/MLD) application in the mining sector – Opportunities, challenges and prospective |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0892687523002522 |journal=Minerals Engineering |volume=201 |pages=108238 |doi=10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108238 |bibcode=2023MiEng.20108238C |issn=0892-6875}}</ref> [[Coagulation (water treatment)|coagulants]], [[Flocculation|flocculants]] which are discarded together with the discharge, and which could affect the physical-chemical quality of the [[effluent]]. However, these are practically consumed during the process and the [[concentration]]s in the discharge are very low, which are practically [[Dilution (equation)|diluted]] during the discharge, without affecting [[marine ecosystem]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Blanco-Murillo |first1=Fabio |last2=Marín-Guirao |first2=Lázaro |last3=Sola |first3=Iván |last4=Rodríguez-Rojas |first4=Fernanda |last5=Ruiz |first5=Juan M. |last6=Sánchez-Lizaso |first6=José Luis |last7=Sáez |first7=Claudio A. |date=November 2023 |title=Desalination brine effects beyond excess salinity: Unravelling specific stress signaling and tolerance responses in the seagrass Posidonia oceanica. |url=https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140061 |journal=Chemosphere |volume=341 |pages=140061 |doi=10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140061 |pmid=37689149 |bibcode=2023Chmsp.34140061B |issn=0045-6535|hdl=10045/137033 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Fernández-Torquemada 2019 27–37">{{Cite journal |last1=Fernández-Torquemada |first1=Yolanda |last2=Carratalá |first2=Adoración |last3=Sánchez Lizaso |first3=José Luis |date=2019 |title=Impact of brine on the marine environment and how it can be reduced |url=https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2019.24615 |journal=Desalination and Water Treatment |volume=167 |pages=27–37 |doi=10.5004/dwt.2019.24615|bibcode=2019DWatT.167...27F |hdl=10045/101370 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

=== Heavy metals ===
The materials used in SWRO [[Desalination plant|plants]] are dominated by [[Nonmetal|non-metallic]] components and [[stainless steel]]s, since lower operating temperatures allow the construction of desalination plants with more [[Corrosion|corrosion-resistant]] [[coating]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lin |first1=Yung-Chang |last2=Chang-Chien |first2=Guo-Ping |last3=Chiang |first3=Pen-Chi |last4=Chen |first4=Wei-Hsiang |last5=Lin |first5=Yuan-Chung |date=August 2013 |title=Potential impacts of discharges from seawater reverse osmosis on Taiwan marine environment |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2013.05.009 |journal=Desalination |volume=322 |pages=84–93 |doi=10.1016/j.desal.2013.05.009 |bibcode=2013Desal.322...84L |issn=0011-9164}}</ref><ref name="Panagopoulos 111773"/> Therefore, the [[concentration]] values of heavy metals in the discharge of SWRO plants are much lower than the acute [[toxicity]] levels to generate [[Environmental issues|environmental impacts]] on marine ecosystems.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Gheorghe |first1=Stefania |title=Metals Toxic Effects in Aquatic Ecosystems: Modulators of Water Quality |date=2017-01-18 |work=Water Quality |url=https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/52639 |access-date=2024-04-09 |publisher=IntechOpen |language=en |doi=10.5772/65744 |isbn=978-953-51-2882-3 |last2=Stoica |first2=Catalina |last3=Vasile |first3=Gabriela Geanina |last4=Nita-Lazar |first4=Mihai |last5=Stanescu |first5=Elena |last6=Lucaciu |first6=Irina Eugenia}}</ref><ref name="Panagopoulos 111773"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Zhou |first1=Jin |last2=Chang |first2=Victor W.-C. |last3=Fane |first3=Anthony G. |date=January 2013 |title=An improved life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) approach for assessing aquatic eco-toxic impact of brine disposal from seawater desalination plants |url=https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2012.07.039 |journal=Desalination |volume=308 |pages=233–241 |doi=10.1016/j.desal.2012.07.039 |bibcode=2013Desal.308..233Z |issn=0011-9164}}</ref>

=== Discharge ===
The discharge is generally dumped back into the sea, through an underwater outfall or coastal release, due to its lower energy and economic cost compared to other discharge methods.<ref name="Fernández-Torquemada 2019 27–37"/><ref name="Missimer 198–215">{{Cite journal |last1=Missimer |first1=Thomas M. |last2=Maliva |first2=Robert G. |date=May 2018 |title=Environmental issues in seawater reverse osmosis desalination: Intakes and outfalls |journal=Desalination |volume=434 |pages=198–215 |doi=10.1016/j.desal.2017.07.012 |bibcode=2018Desal.434..198M |issn=0011-9164|doi-access=free }}</ref> Due to its increase in salinity, the discharge has a greater [[density]] compared to the surrounding seawater. Therefore, when the discharge reaches the sea, it can form a saline plume that can tends to follow the [[Bathymetry|bathymetric]] line of the bottom until it is completely diluted.<ref name="Fernández-Torquemada 137–145">{{Cite journal |last1=Fernández-Torquemada |first1=Yolanda |last2=Gónzalez-Correa |first2=José Miguel |last3=Loya |first3=Angel |last4=Ferrero |first4=Luis Miguel |last5=Díaz-Valdés |first5=Marta |last6=Sánchez-Lizaso |first6=José Luis |date=May 2009 |title=Dispersion of brine discharge from seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.5004/dwt.2009.576 |journal=Desalination and Water Treatment |language=en |volume=5 |issue=1–3 |pages=137–145 |doi=10.5004/dwt.2009.576 |bibcode=2009DWatT...5..137F |hdl=10045/11309 |issn=1944-3994|hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Loya-Fernández |first1=Ángel |last2=Ferrero-Vicente |first2=Luis Miguel |last3=Marco-Méndez |first3=Candela |last4=Martínez-García |first4=Elena |last5=Zubcoff Vallejo |first5=José Jacobo |last6=Sánchez-Lizaso |first6=José Luis |date=April 2018 |title=Quantifying the efficiency of a mono-port diffuser in the dispersion of brine discharges |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2017.11.014 |journal=Desalination |volume=431 |pages=27–34 |doi=10.1016/j.desal.2017.11.014 |bibcode=2018Desal.431...27L |issn=0011-9164}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Palomar |first1=P. |last2=Lara |first2=J.L. |last3=Losada |first3=I.J. |last4=Rodrigo |first4=M. |last5=Alvárez |first5=A. |date=March 2012 |title=Near field brine discharge modelling part 1: Analysis of commercial tools |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2011.11.037 |journal=Desalination |volume=290 |pages=14–27 |doi=10.1016/j.desal.2011.11.037 |bibcode=2012Desal.290...14P |issn=0011-9164}}</ref> The distribution of the salt plume may depend on different factors, such as the [[Productive capacity|production capacity]] of the plant, the discharge method, the [[Oceanography|oceanographic]] and environmental conditions of the discharge point, among others.<ref name="Abessi 2018 259–303"/><ref name="Fernández-Torquemada 137–145"/><ref name="Missimer 198–215"/><ref name="Sola 111813">{{Cite journal |last1=Sola |first1=Iván |last2=Fernández-Torquemada |first2=Yolanda |last3=Forcada |first3=Aitor |last4=Valle |first4=Carlos |last5=del Pilar-Ruso |first5=Yoana |last6=González-Correa |first6=José M. |last7=Sánchez-Lizaso |first7=José Luis |date=December 2020 |title=Sustainable desalination: Long-term monitoring of brine discharge in the marine environment |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111813 |journal=Marine Pollution Bulletin |volume=161 |issue=Pt B |pages=111813 |doi=10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111813 |pmid=33157504 |bibcode=2020MarPB.16111813S |hdl=10045/110110 |issn=0025-326X|hdl-access=free }}</ref>

=== Marine environment ===
Brine discharge might lead to an increase in salinity above certain threshold levels that has the potential to affect [[Benthic zone|benthic communities]], especially those more sensitive to osmotic pressure, finally having an effect on their abundance and diversity.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=de-la-Ossa-Carretero |first1=J. A. |last2=Del-Pilar-Ruso |first2=Y. |last3=Loya-Fernández |first3=A. |last4=Ferrero-Vicente |first4=L. M. |last5=Marco-Méndez |first5=C. |last6=Martinez-Garcia |first6=E. |last7=Giménez-Casalduero |first7=F. |last8=Sánchez-Lizaso |first8=J. L. |date=2016-02-15 |title=Bioindicators as metrics for environmental monitoring of desalination plant discharges |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15302265 |journal=Marine Pollution Bulletin |volume=103 |issue=1 |pages=313–318 |doi=10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.12.023 |pmid=26781455 |bibcode=2016MarPB.103..313D |issn=0025-326X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Del-Pilar-Ruso |first1=Yoana |last2=Martinez-Garcia |first2=Elena |last3=Giménez-Casalduero |first3=Francisca |last4=Loya-Fernández |first4=Angel |last5=Ferrero-Vicente |first5=Luis Miguel |last6=Marco-Méndez |first6=Candela |last7=de-la-Ossa-Carretero |first7=Jose Antonio |last8=Sánchez-Lizaso |first8=José Luis |date=2015-03-01 |title=Benthic community recovery from brine impact after the implementation of mitigation measures |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004313541400815X |journal=Water Research |volume=70 |pages=325–336 |doi=10.1016/j.watres.2014.11.036 |pmid=25543242 |bibcode=2015WatRe..70..325D |hdl=10045/44105 |issn=0043-1354|hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sánchez-Lizaso |first1=José Luis |last2=Romero |first2=Javier |last3=Ruiz |first3=Juanma |last4=Gacia |first4=Esperança |last5=Buceta |first5=José Luis |last6=Invers |first6=Olga |last7=Fernández Torquemada |first7=Yolanda |last8=Mas |first8=Julio |last9=Ruiz-Mateo |first9=Antonio |last10=Manzanera |first10=Marta |date=2008-03-01 |title=Salinity tolerance of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica: recommendations to minimize the impact of brine discharges from desalination plants |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011916407007461 |journal=Desalination |series=European Desalination Society and Center for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), Sani Resort 22 –25 April 2007, Halkidiki, Greece |volume=221 |issue=1 |pages=602–607 |doi=10.1016/j.desal.2007.01.119 |bibcode=2008Desal.221..602S |issn=0011-9164}}</ref>

However, if appropriate [[mitigation]] measures are applied, the potential environmental impacts of discharges from SWRO plants can be correctly minimized.<ref name="Fernández-Torquemada 2019 27–37"/><ref name="Sola 111813"/> Some examples can be found in countries such as [[Spain]], [[Israel]], [[Chile]] or [[Australia]], in which the mitigation measures adopted reduce the area affected by the discharge, guaranteeing a [[Sustainability|sustainable]] development of the desalination process without significant impacts on marine ecosystems.<ref name="Del-Pilar-Ruso 325–336">{{Cite journal |last1=Del-Pilar-Ruso |first1=Yoana |last2=Martinez-Garcia |first2=Elena |last3=Giménez-Casalduero |first3=Francisca |last4=Loya-Fernández |first4=Angel |last5=Ferrero-Vicente |first5=Luis Miguel |last6=Marco-Méndez |first6=Candela |last7=de-la-Ossa-Carretero |first7=Jose Antonio |last8=Sánchez-Lizaso |first8=José Luis |date=March 2015 |title=Benthic community recovery from brine impact after the implementation of mitigation measures |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.11.036 |journal=Water Research |volume=70 |pages=325–336 |doi=10.1016/j.watres.2014.11.036 |pmid=25543242 |bibcode=2015WatRe..70..325D |hdl=10045/44105 |issn=0043-1354|hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fernández-Torquemada |first1=Yolanda |last2=Carratalá |first2=Adoración |last3=Sánchez Lizaso |first3=José Luis |date=2019 |title=Impact of brine on the marine environment and how it can be reduced |url=http://www.deswater.com/DWT_abstracts/vol_167/167_2019_27.pdf |journal=Desalination and Water Treatment |volume=167 |pages=27–37 |doi=10.5004/dwt.2019.24615|bibcode=2019DWatT.167...27F |hdl=10045/101370 }}</ref><ref name="Kelaher 735–744">{{Cite journal |last1=Kelaher |first1=Brendan P. |last2=Clark |first2=Graeme F. |last3=Johnston |first3=Emma L. |last4=Coleman |first4=Melinda A. |date=2020-01-21 |title=Effect of Desalination Discharge on the Abundance and Diversity of Reef Fishes |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.9b03565 |journal=Environmental Science & Technology |language=en |volume=54 |issue=2 |pages=735–744 |doi=10.1021/acs.est.9b03565 |pmid=31849222 |bibcode=2020EnST...54..735K |issn=0013-936X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Muñoz |first1=Pamela T. |last2=Rodríguez-Rojas |first2=Fernanda |last3=Celis-Plá |first3=Paula S. M. |last4=López-Marras |first4=Américo |last5=Blanco-Murillo |first5=Fabio |last6=Sola |first6=Iván |last7=Lavergne |first7=Céline |last8=Valenzuela |first8=Fernando |last9=Orrego |first9=Rodrigo |last10=Sánchez-Lizaso |first10=José Luis |last11=Sáez |first11=Claudio A. |date=2023 |title=Desalination effects on macroalgae (part b): Transplantation experiments at brine-impacted sites with Dictyota spp. from the Pacific Ocean and Mediterranean Sea |journal=Frontiers in Marine Science |volume=10 |doi=10.3389/fmars.2023.1042799 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2023FrMaS..1042799M |issn=2296-7745|hdl=10045/131985 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rodríguez-Rojas |first1=Fernanda |last2=López-Marras |first2=Américo |last3=Celis-Plá |first3=Paula S.M. |last4=Muñoz |first4=Pamela |last5=García-Bartolomei |first5=Enzo |last6=Valenzuela |first6=Fernando |last7=Orrego |first7=Rodrigo |last8=Carratalá |first8=Adoración |last9=Sánchez-Lizaso |first9=José Luis |last10=Sáez |first10=Claudio A. |date=September 2020 |title=Ecophysiological and cellular stress responses in the cosmopolitan brown macroalga Ectocarpus as biomonitoring tools for assessing desalination brine impacts |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2020.114527 |journal=Desalination |volume=489 |pages=114527 |doi=10.1016/j.desal.2020.114527 |bibcode=2020Desal.48914527R |issn=0011-9164}}</ref><ref name="Sola 111813"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sola |first1=Iván |last2=Zarzo |first2=Domingo |last3=Carratalá |first3=Adoración |last4=Fernández-Torquemada |first4=Yolanda |last5=de-la-Ossa-Carretero |first5=José A. |last6=Del-Pilar-Ruso |first6=Yoana |last7=Sánchez-Lizaso |first7=José Luis |date=October 2020 |title=Review of the management of brine discharges in Spain |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105301 |journal=Ocean & Coastal Management |volume=196 |pages=105301 |doi=10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105301 |bibcode=2020OCM...19605301S |issn=0964-5691}}</ref> When noticeable effects have been detected on the [[Natural environment|environment]] surrounding discharge areas, it generally corresponds to old desalination plants in which the correct [[Mitigation|mitigation measures]] were not implemented.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Belatoui |first1=Abdelmalek |last2=Bouabessalam |first2=Hassiba |last3=Hacene |first3=Omar Rouane |last4=de-la-Ossa-Carretero |first4=Jose Antonio |last5=Martinez-Garcia |first5=Elena |last6=Sanchez-Lizaso |first6=Jose Luis |date=2017 |title=Environmental effects of brine discharge from two desalinations plants in Algeria (South Western Mediterranean) |url=https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2017.20812 |journal=Desalination and Water Treatment |volume=76 |pages=311–318 |doi=10.5004/dwt.2017.20812|bibcode=2017DWatT..76..311B }}</ref><ref name="Del-Pilar-Ruso 325–336"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fernández-Torquemada |first1=Yolanda |last2=González-Correa |first2=José Miguel |last3=Sánchez-Lizaso |first3=José Luis |date=January 2013 |title=Echinoderms as indicators of brine discharge impacts |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19443994.2012.716609 |journal=Desalination and Water Treatment |language=en |volume=51 |issue=1–3 |pages=567–573 |doi=10.1080/19443994.2012.716609 |bibcode=2013DWatT..51..567F |hdl=10045/27557 |issn=1944-3994|hdl-access=free }}</ref> Some examples can be found in Spain, Australia or Chile, where it has been shown that saline plumes do not exceed values of 5% with respect to the natural salinity of the sea in a [[radius]] less than 100 m from the point of discharge when proper measures are adopted.<ref name="Kelaher 735–744"/><ref name="Sola 111813"/>

=== Mitigation measures ===
The mitigation measures that are typically employed to prevent negatively impact sensitive marine environment are listed below:<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sola |first1=Iván |last2=Fernández-Torquemada |first2=Yolanda |last3=Forcada |first3=Aitor |last4=Valle |first4=Carlos |last5=del Pilar-Ruso |first5=Yoana |last6=González-Correa |first6=José M. |last7=Sánchez-Lizaso |first7=José Luis |date=December 2020 |title=Sustainable desalination: Long-term monitoring of brine discharge in the marine environment |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111813 |journal=Marine Pollution Bulletin |volume=161 |issue=Pt B |pages=111813 |doi=10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111813 |pmid=33157504 |bibcode=2020MarPB.16111813S |hdl=10045/110110 |issn=0025-326X|hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sola |first1=Iván |last2=Sáez |first2=Claudio A. |last3=Sánchez-Lizaso |first3=José Luis |date=November 2021 |title=Evaluating environmental and socio-economic requirements for improving desalination development |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129296 |journal=Journal of Cleaner Production |volume=324 |pages=129296 |doi=10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129296 |bibcode=2021JCPro.32429296S |issn=0959-6526|hdl=10045/118667 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sola |first1=Iván |last2=Sánchez-Lizaso |first2=José Luis |last3=Muñoz |first3=Pamela T. |last4=García-Bartolomei |first4=Enzo |last5=Sáez |first5=Claudio A. |last6=Zarzo |first6=Domingo |date=October 2019 |title=Assessment of the Requirements within the Environmental Monitoring Plans Used to Evaluate the Environmental Impacts of Desalination Plants in Chile |journal=Water |language=en |volume=11 |issue=10 |pages=2085 |doi=10.3390/w11102085 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019Water..11.2085S |issn=2073-4441|hdl=10045/97207 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>
* A well-designed discharge mechanisms, employing the use of efficient [[Diffuser (sewage)|diffusers]] or [[Dilution (equation)|pre-dilution]] of discharges with seawater
* An [[Ecosystem valuation|environmental evaluation]] study, which assesses the correct location of the discharge point, considering [[Geomorphology|geomorphological]] and oceanographic variables, such as [[Ocean current|currents]], bathymetry, and type of bottom, which favor a rapid [[Mixing (process engineering)|mixing]] process of the discharges;
* The implementation of an adequate environmental [[surveillance]] program, which guarantees the correct operation of the desalination plants during their operational phase, allowing an accurate and early [[Diagnosis|diagnostics]] of potential environmental threats

=== Regulation ===
Currently, in many countries, such as [[Spain]], [[Israel]], [[Chile]] and [[Australia]], the development of a rigorous [[environmental impact assessment]] process is required, both for the construction and operational phases.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Fuentes-Bargues |first=José Luis |date=August 2014 |title=Analysis of the process of environmental impact assessment for seawater desalination plants in Spain |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2014.05.032 |journal=Desalination |volume=347 |pages=166–174 |doi=10.1016/j.desal.2014.05.032 |bibcode=2014Desal.347..166F |issn=0011-9164}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last1=Sadhwani Alonso |first1=J. Jaime |title=Environmental Regulations—Inland and Coastal Desalination Case Studies |date=2018 |work=Sustainable Desalination Handbook |pages=403–435 |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/B9780128092408000101 |access-date=2024-04-10 |publisher=Elsevier |language=en |doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-809240-8.00010-1 |isbn=978-0-12-809240-8 |last2=Melián-Martel |first2=Noemi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sola |first1=Iván |last2=Sáez |first2=Claudio A. |last3=Sánchez-Lizaso |first3=José Luis |date=November 2021 |title=Evaluating environmental and socio-economic requirements for improving desalination development |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129296 |journal=Journal of Cleaner Production |volume=324 |pages=129296 |doi=10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129296 |bibcode=2021JCPro.32429296S |issn=0959-6526|hdl=10045/118667 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> During its development, the most important [[legal management]] tools are established within the local environmental regulation, to prevent and adopt mitigation measures that guarantee the sustainable development of desalination projects. This includes a series of administrative tools and periodic environmental monitoring, to adopt preventive, corrective and further monitoring measures of the state of the surrounding marine environment.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Elsaid |first1=Khaled |last2=Sayed |first2=Enas Taha |last3=Abdelkareem |first3=Mohammad Ali |last4=Baroutaji |first4=Ahmad |last5=Olabi |first5=A. G. |date=2020-10-20 |title=Environmental impact of desalination processes: Mitigation and control strategies |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969720336469 |journal=Science of the Total Environment |volume=740 |pages=140125 |doi=10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140125 |pmid=32927546 |bibcode=2020ScTEn.74040125E |issn=0048-9697}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last1=Sadhwani Alonso |first1=J. Jaime |title=Chapter 10 - Environmental Regulations—Inland and Coastal Desalination Case Studies |date=2018-01-01 |work=Sustainable Desalination Handbook |pages=403–435 |editor-last=Gude |editor-first=Veera Gnaneswar |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128092408000101 |access-date=2024-04-10 |publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann |doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-809240-8.00010-1 |isbn=978-0-12-809240-8 |last2=Melián-Martel |first2=Noemi}}</ref>

Under the context of this environmental assessment process, numerous countries require compliance with an [[Environmental Monitoring Program]] (PVA), in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the preventive and corrective measures established during the environmental assessment process, and thus guarantee the operation of desalination plants without producing significant environmental impacts.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Sola |first1=Iván |last2=Sánchez-Lizaso |first2=José Luis |last3=Muñoz |first3=Pamela T. |last4=García-Bartolomei |first4=Enzo |last5=Sáez |first5=Claudio A. |last6=Zarzo |first6=Domingo |date=October 2019 |title=Assessment of the Requirements within the Environmental Monitoring Plans Used to Evaluate the Environmental Impacts of Desalination Plants in Chile |journal=Water |language=en |volume=11 |issue=10 |pages=2085 |doi=10.3390/w11102085 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019Water..11.2085S |issn=2073-4441|hdl=10045/97207 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Sola |first1=Iván |last2=Zarzo |first2=Domingo |last3=Sánchez-Lizaso |first3=José Luis |date=2019-12-01 |title=Evaluating environmental requirements for the management of brine discharges in Spain |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011916419312111 |journal=Desalination |volume=471 |pages=114132 |doi=10.1016/j.desal.2019.114132 |bibcode=2019Desal.47114132S |hdl=10045/96149 |issn=0011-9164|hdl-access=free }}</ref> The PVAs establishes a series of mandatory requirements that are mainly related to the monitoring of discharge, using a series of measurements and [[Characterization (materials science)|characterizations]] based on physical-chemical and biological information.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> In addition, the PVAs could also include different requirements related to monitoring the effects of seawater intake and those that may potentially be related to effects on the [[Terrestrial ecosystem|terrestrial environment]].