Development of an Environmental Impact Assessment and Decision Support System for Seawater Desalination Plants

Seawater desalination is a coastal-based industry. The growing number of desalination plants worldwide and the increasing size of single facilities emphasises the need for greener desalination technologies and more sustainable desalination projects. A comprehensive evaluation of potential environmental impacts of desalination plants, this book emphasizes discusses strategies for impact mitigation. The author proposes a best-available technology concept for seawater desalination technologies in combination with a methodological approach for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of desalination projects. It outlines the scope of EIA studies, including environmental monitoring and toxicity and hydrodynamic modeling studies. The book also explores the usefulness of multi-criteria analysis as a decision support tool for EIAs and then uses them to compare different intake and pretreatment options for seawater reverse osmosis plants.

Sabine Latteman, Diplom Marine Umweltwissenschaftlerin, Salzgitter, Germany.