Our approach starts with the identification of brine dilution plumes from the discharges. Through the empiric data collected with a conductivity, temperature and depth meter (CTD), and followed by high throughput modelling, we can produce a multidimensional representation of dilution plumes this is essential for a later environmental diagnosis trough our developed environmental biotechnology tools. The following steps considered developing a combination of laboratory and field-based studies to ascertain on the ecosystem effects of these brine discharges using certain species as biological models. For instance, we developed a transcontinental investigation using 2 species within the genus of the brown macroalgae Dyctiota, in this case, Dyctiota dichotoma, natural from the Mediterranean Sea, and Dyctiota kunthii, native of the Pacific Coasts of Chile. In the first stage, both species were exposed to salinity increments that can be extrapolated to brine-induced influenced areas. These experiments allowed identification of specific stress responses to increased salinities, and which later were tested in the field through a novel transplantation device self-developed to place transplants of the species nearby (and according to CTD modelling) desalination discharges. Both investigations were published in 2 articles of the prestigious scientific journal Frontiers in Marine Sciences, and demonstrated low biological impacts on the 2 Dyctiota species, independent on studied ecosystem, the potential reliability of the use of species of this globally distributed genus as suitable organisms to be used for these effects around the world.
Current advances are being applied in the context of the Posidonia oceanica, key ecological and protected Mediterranean Sea seagrass species. In this regard, we gathered empirical evidence of one of the most important myths surrounding desalination effects on marine ecosystems; indeed, that brine composition beyond excess salinity (e.g. antifouling, antiscalants) may increase the negative effects. In this regard, we have conducted laboratory experiments increasing salinities with either real brine from a desalination plant and natural sea salts . Results are conclusive, and demonstrate that even if certain differences are visible at the level of cell metabolism, in terms of physiology (and extrapolable to population effects), there are no significant differences between plants subject to excess salinities caused by brines or sea salts. Moreover, and especially at the level of gene expression, these experiments have put in evidence specific responses (ei. genes encoding for cell channels for transport of ions under osmotic pressure) that have been already tested with field transplantation experiments using P. oceanica.
