Water-Energy Nexus of Brackish Water Desalination for Mitigating Water Scarcity Region: Challenges, Performance, and Potential Solutions | Chapter 1 | Science and Technology - Recent Updates and Future Prospects Vol. 7

Water scarcity represents one of the greatest challenges facing the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Jordan is the second water-scarce country in the world, with only 100 m3 per capita, which is less than the minimum estimated limit for safe water supply (500 m3 per capita) by about five times. Thus, the water deficit in Jordan is alarming. It is projected to increase with the rapid progression in water demands associated with the unsustainable population and economic growth patterns. In the water-energy nexus (WEF-Nexus), the water challenges are associated with issues related to securing energy sources since the country imports about 97% of its energy supply. The pressure created in the water sector led to higher electricity tariffs, which negatively impacted the agricultural, domestic, and primarily industrial sectors. The high energy costs are hindering the industrial growth in Jordan. This study confirms that increasing water demands have imposed the exploitation of most groundwater sources in Jordan and deteriorated its quality, specifically by increasing salinization. Additionally, in the context of food-water-energy nexus, poor brine management, especially in the agricultural sector, has been identified as one of the primary causes of soil damage due to high salt concentrations, which is inducing the rate of desertification, leading to a drastic decline in the farming capacity in Jordan. The potential of brackish water reverse osmosis desalination to combat the water deficit in Jordan was assessed in this study in the context of the water-energy nexus. Interviews and surveyed questioners were employed to multiple stakeholders from different sectors in Jordan, including the agricultural, domestic, and industrial sectors. Challenges were faced in data collection as the brackish water reverse osmosis desalination technology is considered somehow new in Jordan.

 

Three brackish water desalination plants were assessed from the agricultural, domestic, and industrial sectors. The study shows that the capacity of medium-scale brackish water desalination plants powered by the electricity network was in the range of 460-1240 m3/day. They had a specific energy consumption of 2.7-5.6 kWh/m3, and the desalination cost was about 0.62-1.18 USD/m3. In comparison, the larger brackish water desalination plants had a 12,600-32,400 m3/day capacity. Their average specific energy consumption was about 3 kWh/m3, and approximately the desalination cost was 0.65 USD/m3. It was concluded that the larger the plant’s capacity, the less water production costs become. The brackish water desalination plants in the industrial sector were associated with the highest economic and energy consumption. In general, there is a need to improve the water and energy performance of the assessed brackish water desalination plants in Jordan. This reduces the pressure created by the over-pumping of groundwater sources and the associated operating costs. Jordan is blessed with an abundance of solar energy, so photovoltaic (PV) solar panels have been suggested to reduce the energy consumption patterns for the assessed brackish water reverse osmosis plants to get closer to our energy benchmark of 1.3 kWh/m3. In this study, the installation of PV panels showed about 50-54% energy and cost reduction in the lifetime period estimated as 15 years for the brackish water desalination plants in the industrial sector and 20 years for those in the agricultural and domestic sectors. The study showed promising results for the potential cost-effectiveness of brackish water reverse osmosis desalination powered by PV panels (PV-BWRO desalination).

 

Author(s) Details

Ahmed N. Bdour

Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.

Raha M. Al-Kharabsheh

R&I Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (CBDS), Faculty of Forestry and Natural Environment Engineering, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain.

 

Please see the link:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/strufp/v7/952

Acclimatization and Adaptation to the Damage of Climate Change from Upstream Hydroelectric Dams and the Funan Techo Canal in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam | Book Publisher International

The Mekong Delta, including the Southwest Region and part of the coastal East Vietnam, is one of the six most vulnerable regions in the world to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise. In particular, it is worth noting that the Mekong Delta, a wetland area with a very high potential for sulfate acidity and actual acid sulfate, suffers multiplied damage during the dry season. This drying up of the flow causes droughts for fields, agriculture, and fisheries, and especially leads to a lack of clean water for people's living. Additionally, this area is affected by saline intrusion from semi-diurnal tides in the East Sea and diurnal tides in the West Sea. Therefore, climate change has had and will continue to have severe effects on the reproductive system, environment, and livelihoods of 22 million people in the Mekong Delta.

 

Moreover, water blockage on the Mekong River mainstream, caused by more than 12 major hydroelectric dams in China and 5 major dams in Laos, has resulted in a shortage of water supplies for downstream agriculture, people, and industry, especially in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam (Cuu Long River Delta). While southern Vietnam is experiencing severe dryness, the lack of water has caused significant damage to aquaculture and rice cultivation, particularly due to the reduction in sediment every year (previously 160 million tons/year; now only 80 million tons/year—half the amount). The lack of upstream water leads to droughts, followed by soil and water acidification, and saline intrusion from the sea through tides from the estuary. The saltwater also contaminates groundwater, causing salinization of the agricultural environment (90% of the area has saltwater over 1 g/liter, and 70% of the area has saltwater over 4 g/liter during the dry season). This phenomenon results in erosion of riverbanks and shorelines.

 

Runoff and dam construction also minimize and prevent fish biodiversity migration, which contributes to climate change and sea level rise affecting the Mekong Delta. Specialists must propose practical and achievable response solutions. China has promised to share water resources and data but has yet to follow through. To survive and develop, people and society must adapt to new living conditions by not fighting against extreme natural phenomena, avoiding the harmful effects of climate change, and living in harmony with nature. This can be facilitated through engineering works and a new way of life. Additionally, measures should be taken to prevent acidification by keeping the ground from becoming dry and ensuring that the surface water of canals and fields remains clean. Many regulating ecological lakes should also be built. Technological solutions must be "green" and "soft," gradually eliminating the kinetic energy of river and coastal erosion. Diplomatic action must also be taken reasonably and wisely with China and Laos to protect the flow, alluvium, and flow stability of the Mekong Delta.

 

The consistent viewpoint of Vietnamese scientists is to combine hard technology with green technology, handle the situation intelligently, and apply AI and 4.0 technology. Conservation efforts should be prioritized to address these challenges effectively and green development as the foundation, avoiding harmful effects of nature, "living with nature" to achieve high efficiency, ensuring productivity and quality of crops and livestock for ecological and sustainable development, solid.

 

Author (s) Details

Ba Le Huy
Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), Vietnam.

 

Hoan Nguyen Xuan
Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), Vietnam.

 

Hong Anh Le Thi
Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), Vietnam.

 

Phong Nguyen Tan
Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), Vietnam.

 

Phuong Nguyen Vu Hoang
Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), Vietnam.

 

Binh Thai Vu
Institute for Environment and Resources, Ho Chi Minh City National University, Vietnam.

 

Son Lam Vinh
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), Vietnam.

 

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-49729-57-5

Drought, Sulphate Acidifications & Saline Intrusion in Mekong Delta, Caused by the Hydro-Electric Dams in Upstream of River, and Climate Change | Book Publisher International

The hydropower dams (China, Laos, Thailand), primarily in China, are the main drivers of drought, pollution, and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The water they obstruct amounts for more than 65 percent of the Mekong River basin's overall water resources. The Mekong's primary channel travels downstream, causing the river to dry up, causing traffic problems, a shortage of water to cultivate rice crops, and a lack of water for people's survival, especially during the dry season. However, a scarcity of water has resulted in significant damage: Acidification and salinization of sulphate become extremely high. Because, young, this is the Wetland. There are three layers on the soil horizon: 0-20cm: New alluvium; 20-50cm: Jarosite layer: Fe, Al double sulphate sediments; 50-150cm: Pyrite with a high S concentration (>5%); Floor 50-150cm: Pyrite with a high S concentration (>5%). Drought will exacerbate the acidification process. Drought, on the other hand, causes tidal infiltration to a depth of 70-100km, resulting in salinization; plants cannot withstand salt concentrations of less than 4g/L. The Mekong Delta has been severely harmed.

Author (s) Details

Ba Le Huy
Faculty of Biology and Environment - University of Food Industry (HUFI), Vietnam.


Hoan Nguyen Xuan
Faculty of Biology and Environment - University of Food Industry (HUFI), Vietnam..

Hung Le
Ho Chi Minh City Association for Environmental and Resource Protection, Vietnam.

Nam Thai Van
Institute of Applied Science - Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), Vietnam.

Phong Nguyen Tan
Faculty of Biology and Environment - University of Food Industry (HUFI), Vietnam.

Thanh Le Minh
Faculty of Biology and Environment - University of Food Industry (HUFI), Vietnam.



View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/DSASIMDCHEDURCC/article/view/6459

Research on Nature and Extent of Salt-affected Agricultural Soils in Ho – Keta Plain in the Volta Region of Ghana | Chapter 5 | Challenges and Advances in Chemical Science Vol. 7

 Soil salinization is one of the primary environmental challenges that has a significant negative impact on long-term agricultural production. A study was done at the Ho-Keta plain in Ghana's Volta Region to determine the amount of salt-affected agricultural soil deterioration. From Anyako, Anyenui, and Atiehife, two soil series, Oyebi and Ada, were selected in three salt-affected locations within the Lower Volta basin in the Ho-Keta plain. Soil samples were taken at random depths of 0-30 cm from various soil sites and brought to a laboratory for examination and measurement of pH (4.61), Calcium (5.60meq/l), Magnesium (3.17meq/l), Sodium (6.95meq/l), Potassium (1.83meq/l), and Electrical Conductivity (5.13dS/m). The Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) and Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) were calculated using the mean values of Ca, Mg, Na, and K. In the three areas studied, the mean values of SAR and ESP were 43.89, 52.02, 42.85, and 33.87 percent, 40.77 percent, and 37.83 percent, respectively. The findings demonstrated that high levels of SAR and ESP caused land degradation in the research area, resulting in low soil chemical characteristics. The soil's fertility was extremely poor, necessitating management measures that encourage the accumulation of organic matter. It is strongly suggested that more research be done to show the extent and type of the soils in the study area.

Author (s) Details

Mr. L. Sackey
Department of Analytical Services, Soil Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana.

A. Sadick
Department of Analytical Services, Soil Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana.

F. M. Tetteh
Department of Analytical Services, Soil Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana.

E. O. Bennoah
Department of Soil Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/CACS-V7/article/view/5171