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MARINFORSKHAV-Marine ressurser og miljø - havmiljø

Beyond freshwater generation: Mineral extraction from seawater desalination brine and seawater greenhouse (SG) farming

Alternative title: Utover ferskvann generasjon: utvinning av mineraler fra avsaltet sjøvann og sjøvann drivhus jordbruk

Awarded: NOK 1.8 mill.

The Salt-Mine project is part of Belmont Forum`s Collaborative Research Action on sustainable use of the oceans and marine resources (SDG no. 14 and the Ocean decade). The project consortium brings together seven partner institutes and numerous stakeholder organizations from Somalia, Kenya, South Africa and Norway. Ongoing research includes studies that add value to seawater desalination brine including 1. Assessing the commercial viability of a developing-country-adaptable Seawater Greenhouse on the Kenyan and Somali coasts for integrated production of freshwater, crops and artisanal extraction of valuable mineral salts from seawater brine 2. A Ph.D. student at Wits University is developing membrane-based technology for extraction of high purity magnesium from brine. 3. Two MSc. Student projects explored affordable technology for extraction of magnesium and lithium from brine. 4. Another two MSc students at the University of Nairobi are studying the Environmental and socioeconomic impact of seawater desalination plant (SDP) operation and discharge on the Kenyan coast and 5. Studies to establish the baseline ecological conditions at proposed SDP discharge points in Durban and Witsand in South Africa. Salt-Mine consortium has applied for the Global Research Council`s Pilot Collaborative Call on Sustainable Development Goals to farther develop this research.

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Salt-Mine is one of 13 projects funded under the Belmont Forum`s Collaborative Research Action on Ocean Sustainability, within the framework of the United Nations` Sustainable Development Goals-SDG no. 14 on sustainable use of the oceans and marine resources.The Salt-Mine consortium brings together researchers from eight partner institutes and fourteen stakeholder organisations from five countries in three continents: Norway (Norwegian Institute for Water Research-NIVA and The Norwegian University of Science & Technology-NTNU); Australia (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation-CSIRO); South Africa (Wits University and The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Durban); Kenya (Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute-KMFRI and EfD-Environment for Development institute at the University of Nairobi) and Somalia (PENHA-Pastoral and Environmental Network in the Horn of Africa). Salt-Mine will synergise with Coast-LaB (2019-2022) project, a bilateral research action between Norway and South Africa on ocean sustainability. Norwegian researchers in Salt-Mine will contribute in seawater desalination brine valorisation studies including; 1. Lab and field tests for extraction of high purity minerals from seawater brine using high tech (lithium-selective membrane-based) and affordable artisanal methods. 2. Studying the Environmental and socioeconomic impact of seawater desalination plant(SDP) operation and discharge on the environment by comparing the environmental legislation/regulations governing SDP discharge in the five partner countries. 3. Studies to establish the baseline ecological conditions at proposed SDP discharge points in Mombasa, Cape Town, Durban and Witsand (where new SDPs are planned or already in operation) so as to quantify these effects after the plants are in operation and 4. Assess and account for the impact of SDPs` energy demand, greenhouse gases and pollutant emissions and other stressors like energy demand

Funding scheme:

MARINFORSKHAV-Marine ressurser og miljø - havmiljø