environmental+scientist

You have a strong interest in studying living organisms and how they interact with their environment. You realise that in nature each action made by man has an impact on ecosystems and you are interested to know what possible effects desalination plants have on the environment. You also want to compare this to other types of sustainable water initiatives and you need to form a mental picture on how key ecological issues relate to the goals of this investigation. Remember to include links to websites you have used.

Back to ecological issue page.

Environmental Scientists: Bec & Lia
 **Key Question #1: What impact will desalination plants have on aquatic wildlife?**

__**Information from websites**__ http://www.sciencealert.com.au/opinions/20071909-16349.html** [|**http://www.foe.org.au/resources/chain-reaction/chain-reaction-editions/chain-reaction-102-april-2008/victorias-proposed-desalination-plant**]
 * In order to produce 150Gl of water __per year__, a 4M diameter ocean-intake pipe will suck in ~14,000L of seawater __every__ __second__, and hence taking in with it and killing, ~300,000 planktonic organisms __per second__.
 * The affected organisms are the base of the food chain for higher consumers/species.
 * Also, the affected organisms are our (humans') primary source for recreational and commercial fisheries and other purposes.
 * 7,000L of effluent (waste matter/sewage) will be discharged back to the ocean __every second__; --> including: 'biocides' (chemicals that kill organisms, especially microorganisms), eg. chlorine, and other chemicals, heavy metals, and concentrated brine (salt water).
 * Salinity will increase. --> a proportion of the concentrated brine will sink and accumulate, especially during calm weather periods, into the protected holes and caverns/caves of the ocean, which in fact characterise that rocky ocean floor (at the chosen site).
 * Risk of salinity increase: a salty layer __in__ and __over__ the ocean water is a negetive effect on base food chain organisms, and on the larvae (the young insects) of higher consumers/species, due to osmotic effects, and reduced oxygenation.

The potentially significant environmental risks associated with __construction of the Marine Structures__ were identified as follows: •removal/damage to reef habitat, sandy habitat and significant reef species due to clearing of the seabed •introduction of pests and diseases impacting on marine species due to construction divers •impact on visual amenity •chemical/hydrocarbon spills or incidents impacting on marine biota and ecosystems and marine parks •noise and vibration affecting marine biota •increased access to Williamsons Beach impacting on threatened fauna •construction limiting recreation activities.

- Chemicals and hydrocarbons would be used during marine construction, largely for vessel and equipment fuelling. These chemicals would not be placed in the marine environment, but accidental spills could occur. Chemical spills that may occur during the construction phase are considered unlikely to result in severe effects on any communities or ecosystems.

-The potentially significant environmental effects associated with the operation of Marine Structures were identified as follows: •entrainment of eggs/larvae, fish, penguins, and consequent effects on marine ecosystem interactions due to intake of seawater •flow on effects from concentrate discharge. http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/programs/desalination/EES/ees-summary-brochure****

__**Response**__ Biota that may occur in the area include: - The ocean-intake pipe will suck in ~300,000 plankton per second, along with the seawater intake, killing the plankton, and therefore affecting the rest of the marine ecosystem as plankton are one of the main sources of food for higher consumers/species, which will ultimately affect humans.
 * Phytoplankton and zooplankton.
 * Whale species.
 * Fish species.
 * Seal species.
 * Seabird species.

- Effluent (waste matter), for example biocides including chlorine and heavy metals will be discharged back into the ocean. This will impact and kill various organisms, especially microorganisms.

- Operation of plant will impact on the interactions within marine ecosystem Salinity will increase and have a negative impact on the abiotic marine environment, accumulating in protected holes and caves. Salinity increase will have a negative impact on the base food chain organisms and larvae of higher species due to osmotic effects and reduced oxygenation Damage associated with the construction of the plant includes: •removal/damage to reef habitat, sandy habitat and significant reef species •introduction of pests and diseases impacting on marine species •impact on visual amenity •chemical/hydrocarbon spills or incidents which could impact on marine biota and ecosystems and marine parks •noise and vibration affecting marine biota •increased access to Williamsons Beach impacting on threatened fauna •construction limits recreation activities. -The chemicals and hydrocarbons that are used during construction run the risk of spilling, impacting on the marine and terrestrial environment.

** Key Question #2: What impact will desalination plants have on terrestrial wildlife? **  __**Information from websites**__ http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/programs/desalination/EES/ees-summary-brochure**
 * Impact on terrestrial wildlife, as well as their environment: between 90-120MW of power is required for the plant, = 1million tonnes of CO2 __per year__, = 280,000 new cars driving our raods. --> As a result, all this will potentially have an imapct on climate change, therefore on the environment, on the adequate resource availabilities, and the living conditions of (terrestrial) organisms.
 * Ironically, it is global warming (climate change) and air pollution that are largely responsible for reducing rainfall projections.

[|**http://www.foe.org.au/resources/chain-reaction/chain-reaction-editions/chain-reaction-102-april-2008/victorias-proposed-desalination-plant**]
 * The dead organic matter of the affected marine organisms will most likely be deposited to landfull, and therefore will contribute further to carbon emissions (via its decomposition --> detritus).

__**Response**__ - Impact on terrestrial wildlife, as well as their environment: between 90-120MW of power is required for the plant which is equivalent to 1million tonnes of CO2 __per year__ which is equivalent to 280,000 new cars driving our roads. - As a result, this will potentially have an impact on climate change (due to an excessive amount of carbon emissions being released) and therefore will effect the environment. - This will have an effect on resource availabilities and the living conditions of (terrestrial) organisms, which includes the need for shelter, as well as destroying the habitat of the organisms that reside in the chosen area, due to pollution, chemicals and potential introduced species or diseases. - (Ironically, it is global warming (climate change) and air pollution that are largely responsible for reducing rainfall projections.) - The process of manufacturing the desalination plant will lead to the destruction of the habitat at that chosen site, impacting on the species that reside in that area and challenging them. - The dead organic matter of the affected marine organisms will most likely be deposited to landfill, and therefore will further contribute to carbon emissions (via its decomposition --> detritus).

 ** Key Question #3: What impacts do other sustainable water initiatives have on wildlife? ** __**Information from websites**__

Brainstorming Alternatives:
 * Utilise reclaimed water (treated sewage).
 * Water storages.
 * The rivers and creeks system.
 * The drainage system.
 * Water recycling. --> onsite; domestic; aquifer storage and recharge.
 * Recycling the water from the state purification plants and pumping it into our coal fired power station, (which use 130billion Litres of water __per year__!) -- "Your Water Your Say".
 * Support the rollout of rainwater tanks to 65% of homes (over the next 3 years). -- "Your Water Your Say".

http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/water_recycling/water_recycling.asp http://www.wsroc.com.au/wqm/sw.html

//** __Water recycling:__ **//
 * Sewage Treatment:**
 * Sewage is everything that goes down the kitchen, laundry and bathroom sinks, as well as what is flushed down the toilet.
 * Trade waste is industrial and commercial waste that is discharged into the sewerage system. Approximately 70% of Melbourne 's trade waste is treated at the Western Treatment Plant at Werribee, where it makes up 15% of the sewage flow.


 * Domestic water recycling:** recycling of greywater from baths, showers, basins or washing machines. This can save precious drinking water.

- Domestic o Collecting rainwater – from roofs and in buckets o Tanks o Collecting water in the shower and kitchen o Water saving shower heads - Stop rain water running into bays via Melbourne ’s drains by regional storm water capture and storage systems - Reduce consumption of water - Reduce infrastructure inefficiencies - More dams http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/sewerage/sewage_treatment/sewage_treatment_-_today.asp

__**Response**__     SEWAGE TREATMENT - negative impact · Can discharge high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous into receiving waters which supports excessive growth of algae. o Also a range of chemicals including metals, chlorinated by-products (from the disinfection process), surfactants and pesticides are discharged. · These are toxic and can impact adversely on human health, other biota and aquatic ecosystems. · Sewerage overflows occur when the capacity of the system is exceeded during wet weather, or with treatment plant breakdowns which are a major source of pollution as untreated or minimally treated sewage is discharged. o Wastewater from on-site sewage systems carries nutrients, bacteria, and possibly viruses, parasites and other organisms and can contaminate surface and groundwater and impact adversely on soils and vegetation.

SEWAGE TREATMENT - positive impact
 * __ The Eastern Treatment Plant __ treats sewage from homes and businesses in Melbourne 's south-eastern and eastern suburbs. This plant serves about 1.5 million people, and treats 370 million litres of Melbourne 's sewage each day.
 * __ The Western Treatment Plant __ serves Melbourne 's inner northern and western suburbs, north and west of the Yarra River and around Hobsons  Bay . It treats about 485 million litres of Melbourne 's sewage each day.
 * The Western Treatment Plant is a world leader in environmentally-friendly sewage treatment.

DOMESTIC WATER RECYCLING - negative impacts - Doesnt produce enough water, except for personal use, for example in gardens - Greywater (all household wastewater excluding toilet water) can contain disease causing microorganisms and other contaiminants

<span style="COLOR: rgb(103,29,211)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(163,50,245)">DOMESTIC WATER RECYCLING - positive impacts - Water saved at basically no cost to the environment

=<span style="COLOR: rgb(51,22,10)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(241,30,30)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(36,194,52)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(46,204,157)"> __Focusing your Evidence: an Action Plan__    = By examining the proposition of using desalination as a source of sustainable water for Victoria from an Environmental scientist’s perspective, you have become an expert on the issues that relate to the impact of water initiatives on the environment and wildlife. Your Action Plan should be __a clear statement about what should be done to ensure protection of flora and fauna in the Australian environments__. It should be thoughtful and succinct. **
 * All potentially available "green energy" should be used to satisfy current requirements, if we want to be true to federal emissions reduction targets.
 * We as environmental scientists believe that the construction and operation of the desalination plant in Wonthaggie will come as a great cost to the environment, both aquatic and terrestrial. Without the environment the world is nothing and the energy levels emitted from the plant will contribute to global warming greatly which means that there will be less and less rain, making the drought even worse and more deadly. Instead of constructing a plant that will be essentially lethal to the flora and fauna, we suggest combining other water saving alternatives (especially sewage treatment) which will do the same thing as the desalination plant but at a much lesser cost to the environment.

<span style="COLOR: rgb(244,84,11)">__**General Facts and Stats from websites:**__

The desalination plant will produce 1.5 million tones of green houses gases per year and 30 truckloads of toxic waste each week.

The proposed plant at Wonthaggi is expected to add 2 per cent to Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions every year. And yet the amount of water processed will only produce the equivalent of that required to power two of the regions four coal-fired power stations. **http://www.sciencealert.com.au/opinions/20071909-16349.html******** __Some STATS__ Power to Water Ratio -- Desalination Plant: http://forums.envirotalk.com.au/Desalination-plant-Victo-t8208.html
 * Water consumed by Electricity and Gas in Victoria = 271 GL.
 * Expected output of Wonthaggi Plant = 100 GL.
 * Expected Power usage of Desalination Plant = 90 GWH or 90million KWH __per year__.
 * A 500 MW Coal Power Plant produces 3.5 billion KWH __per year__.
 * A 500 MW Coal Power Plant uses 2.2 billion galons of Water __per year__.