Effects of intake depth on raw seawater quality in the red sea

Abdullah H.A. Dehwah, Sheng Li, Samir Al-Mashharawi, Francis L. Mallon, Zenon Batang, Thomas Missimer*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

It has been suggested that using a deep open-ocean intake would improve feed water quality and would reduce the cost of SWRO water treatment by lessening membrane biofouling potential. The feasibility of developing deep intake systems for large-capacity SWRO plants located on the Red Sea was assessed. A bathymetric survey showed that the continental shelf along the Red Sea nearshore has a nearly vertical drop into deep water beginning at depths between 20 and 40 m. The vertical nature of the bathymetric profile and the issue of active seismicity make the development of a SWRO intake at a depth of greater than 100 m below surface a very risky venture along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. Detailed assessment of temperature and salinity with depth show a decrease of 5 °C and an increase of 1100 mg/L respectively over 90 m. Concentrations of algae, bacteria, total organic carbon, particulate and colloidal TEP, and the biopolymer fraction of natural organic carbon all showed declines in concentration. However, the general water quality improvements in reduced concentrations of organic matter were insufficient to reduce the intensity of pretreatment for an SWRO system. Overall.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationIntakes and Outfalls for Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalination Facilities - Innovations and Environmental Impacts
EditorsBurton Jones, Thomas M. Missimer, Robert G. Maliva
PublisherKluwer Academic Publishers
Pages105-124
Number of pages20
ISBN (Print)9783319132020
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
EventInternational Workshop on Desalination System Intakes and Outfalls, 2013 - Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
Duration: Oct 7 2013Oct 8 2013

Publication series

NameEnvironmental Science and Engineering (Subseries: Environmental Science)
Volume149
ISSN (Print)1863-5520

Other

OtherInternational Workshop on Desalination System Intakes and Outfalls, 2013
Country/TerritorySaudi Arabia
CityThuwal
Period10/7/1310/8/13

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Information Systems

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