QNA
Doha
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change seeks to expand research and scientific experiments to manage wastewater and salts from desalination plants, Minister of Environment and Climate Change HE Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali Al Thani said on Monday.
In statements on the sidelines of a scientific symposium on treating rejected wastewater and salts from desalination plants, which was organised by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the minister said the research related to the topic of the symposium is among the solutions sought by the ministry in cooperation with the competent authorities to find optimal solutions for the water that comes out of the desalination plants, extracting the salts in them and working to benefit from them, because of their economic aspect. He emphasised the importance of such projects and scientific research that concern all GCC countries, considering that the Gulf is a semi-enclosed marginal sea.
He pointed out that the amount of salty and wastewater that occur as a result of desalination plants represents a major challenge facing all the GCC countries, because it causes a rise in temperature and an increase in concentrated salts in the Gulf waters, which affects marine life and have harmful impact on the environment in general.
“The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change seeks to expand such research and experiments that have yet been proven successful on a small scale, as well as bringing together the relevant research and scientific authorities and private companies to work on applying them in a matter that serves the GCC countries, in addition to extracting hydrogen as the future of energy and entering many industries, without having carbon residues,” the minister added.
He explained that the cause of fish mortality from time to time is not limited to high temperature, adding that this research will also help in reducing the salinity of sea water, and thus reducing fish mortality.
Environmental expert and engineering advisor at the ministry Dr Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari said that lots of scientific research and studies have shown that desalination of sea water is a major source of fresh water in many parts of the world, pointing out that the countries bordering the Gulf depend heavily on desalination of sea water to supply them with fresh water, and that they contribute to 33 percent of the global desalination capacity.
Dr Kuwari noted that the disposal of brine produced by desalination plants into seawater is a very serious environmental issue, explaining that it contains high salinity, high temperature and residual chemicals from pre-treatment processes, causing potential damage to marine and underground habitats.
He also added that in light of such challenges, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change decided to discuss this environmental issue, especially as it falls under the third axis (water) of the Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, which stipulates that regular and effective monitoring of all water sources (groundwater, seawater and potable water) must be done by the ministry.
He described the symposium as a scientific platform for exchanging ideas, information and technical data that will help in the treatment of rejected wastewater and salts generated from desalination plants, in accordance with international environmental legislation and in line with Qatar’s National Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
The ministry will form a scientific and technical committee that will consist of several scientists, experts and advisors from academic institutions and officials from government agencies, institutions and relevant bodies, as well as some of the participants in the symposium to develop a comprehensive and applicable plan for the treatment and management of rejected wastewater and salts generated from desalination plants.
The symposium also discussed the methods for treating waste that comes out of water desalination operations in the Arabian Gulf region, which cause great damage to the marine environment. On this occasion, the minister honoured some of the officials, researchers and experts who participated in the symposium.
