Brine Discharge from Desalination Plants: Environmental Contaminants, Pollution Control Processes and Mitigation Strategies
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Desalination is an urgent response to global freshwater shortages, serving more than 300 million people by 2025. However, it is a technology that still raises several sustainability concerns. Through this study, we aim to propose a systematic review based on the PRISMA methodology, analyzing 45 studies published between 2015 and 2026. The results show that brine discharges, reaching 40-75 g/L, lead to the emergence of hypersaline plumes that cause biodiversity loss, particularly in Posidonia oceanica meadows and coral reefs. From a health perspective, residual contaminants, such as boron (1.8 mg/L) and bromate (25 µg/L), exceed WHO recommended standards, posing potential risks to public health. Economically, the levelized cost of desalinated water remains high (USD 0.5–2.0/m³) due to the high energy consumption of up to 15 kWh/m³ in thermal processes. This study proposes several mitigation strategies, including diffuser optimization, integration of renewable energies, and brine recovery through the extraction of strategic minerals. The originality of this study lies in its integrated approach, combining health, environmental, energy, and economic dimensions, all addressed together in previous reviews. These results demonstrate the need for regional governance and consistent international standards to achieve sustainable water desalination that combines water security and ecosystem conservation.
Source: Processes
DOI: 10.3390/pr14152391
Institution: University of Bechar
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W7170665232