Did you know there were about 16,000 desalination plants found across 177 countries? With two-thirds of these plants in high-income countries, they get plenty of use. While time has brought affordability, there hasn’t been enough emphasis upon brine management, which accounts for nearly 33% of desalination expenses. As a result, toxic brine levels are increasing without check. 142 million cubic meters of brine are being generated every day worldwide. Yet, opportunities are available to use farm land financing to create farming operations to deal with this excess brine.
It’s a Salty Situation
As if brine itself wasn’t dangerous enough, the byproduct of desalination includes a toxic stew of chemicals including copper and chlorine. Where the desalination plant is located often dictates the method of disposal. Without an agricultural loan to expand operations, common disposal methods include dumping directly back into the ocean, deep well injection, and the use of brine evaporation ponds. The issue is that each of these methods of dealing with the excess brine have risks, opportunities, and solutions. Some of these include:
- Low Oxygen Levels
- Heavy Metal Pollution
- Aquaculture Economics
- Generation of Electricity
- Metallurgy
The Problem with Brine
Research shows how brine underflows go on to reduce the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water. Low oxygen levels have a direct impact on delicate marine life. Additionally, dumping brine back into the ocean can raise salinity levels, causing drastic changes to marine ecosystems.
What to Do with the Brine
Brine could be used to irrigate certain salt-tolerant species. It can also be used to generate electricity, or for metallurgy. Another solution is to use farm land financing to pursue aquaculture. For example, fish biomass has been shown to increase by about 300%. Brine has also been used in cultivating Spirulina, the dietary supplement. Both of these options hold potential for successful farming operations.
Take Advantage of the Excess Brine
The excess brine presents an opportunity to pursue farming operations for species that thrive on the salty solution. AgAmerica helps farmers secure farm land financing for all types of farming operations, including aquaculture. Simply contact a loan officer today to see what options are available to help you capitalize on this salty situation.