Spatial extent of desalination discharge impacts to habitat-forming species on temperate reefs

Kelaher, Brendan P.; Coleman, Melinda A.

Spatial extent of desalination discharge impacts to habitat-forming species on temperate reefs

2022

Kelaher, Brendan P. | Coleman, Melinda A.

Outlet infrastructure and hypersaline discharge from large-scale desalination operations have the potential to impact marine environments. Here, we present the results of a six-year M-BACI assessment of the impacts of desalination discharge outlet construction and hypersaline effluent on the cover of habitat-forming species on temperate reefs. The construction of the desalination outlet caused a decrease in the cover of Ecklonia radiata (kelp) and an increase in the cover of algal turfs up to 55 m from the outlet. Following the commencement of discharging of hypersaline brine, the impact to E. radiata and algal turfs persisted, but decreased in spatial extent to be less than 25 m from the outlet. Hypersaline discharge was also associated with a significant decline in the cover of sponges in outlet compared to reference sites. Overall, our results demonstrate that the water security benefits from large-scale desalination may sometimes be appropriately balanced against the associated ecological consequences.

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