Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Coral Reef Arks: An In Situ Mesocosm and Toolkit for Assembling Reef Communities
Published on: January 6, 2023
Spatial extent of desalination discharge impacts to habitat-forming species on temperate reefs
Brendan P Kelaher1, Melinda A Coleman2
1National Marine Science Centre and Marine Ecology Research Centre, Southern Cross University, PO Box 4321, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia.
Abstract:
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.
More Related Videos
05:58Author Spotlight: Advancing Coral Culture - Creating a Semi-Quantitatively Controlled Microenvironment System to Counter Current Limitations
Published on: July 21, 2023
09:31Author Spotlight: Advancing Coral Research by Exploring Climate Change Resistance, Ex Situ Aquaculture, and Reproduction Strategies
Published on: June 23, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Salt Stress
Habitat Fragmentation
Distribution and Dispersion
Formation of Species
Effect of Sea Water on Concrete
Concrete in areas between tide marks,...
Osmoregulation in Fishes