Title: Disposal of saline wastewater from electrical power plants

Authors: Esmaiel Malek, Lynn M. Dudley

Addresses: Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-4820, USA. ' Department of Geological Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4100, USA

Abstract: Saline wastewater from a coal-fired Utah Power Plant has been applied in central Utah, USA, since 1987, to irrigate various agricultural crops. The primary goals of this research: to dispose of saline wastewater by maximising actual evapotranspiration (ET_a) and to prevent contamination of surface and groundwater by eliminating runoff and throughout the years (1987-2005). Plots were established where the effects of irrigation on water and salt budgets and crop yield could be carefully monitored. Results indicate that yield and ET_a are likely to decrease only slightly for the coming years if saline wastewater is used for irrigation.

Keywords: BREB; Bowen ratio-energy balance; saline wastewater; power plants; evapotranspiration; chemical assessment model; environment systems; water pollution; irrigation; coal-fired power stations; crop yield.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2010.033989

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2010 Vol.6 No.1/2, pp.128 - 148

Published online: 06 Jul 2010 *

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