Photo credit: arstechnica.com
Exploring Desalination Innovations in New Mexico
Situated 98 miles north of Loya’s farm, the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility in Alamogordo, New Mexico, serves as a hub for desalination research. Located adjacent to the White Sands Missile Range, this facility, managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, provides a controlled environment for scientists to experiment with various salinity levels through its four wells.
In the shadows of the Sacramento Mountains, a pioneering agricultural project is taking place under the fierce desert sun. Malynda Cappelle, the facility manager, gives visitors a tour of the facility, highlighting the three brine ponds which produce distinct aromas reminiscent of both a zoo and the ocean. This experiment, running since 2019, involves a collaboration among the University of North Texas, New Mexico State University, and Colorado State University. Researchers have been trialing different crops, including sunflowers, fava beans, and currently, 16 plots of pinto beans. The experimental plots vary; some consist of bare soil, while others are enriched with compost to enhance soil health, retain moisture, and mitigate salinity effects. Irrigation strategies also differ, utilizing either brackish water directly from a well or a mixture of desalinated and brackish water.
Observations reveal that plants receiving the freshest water appear robust and thriving. However, those grown with compost and brackish irrigation show comparable vitality, suggesting potential strategies for economically-minded farmers. Cappelle remarks, “Perhaps a milder desalination approach combined with greater blending could lead to cost reductions.”
Pei Xu, a co-investigator on this project, is also leading another innovative initiative at the El Paso desalination plant, which is funded by NAWI. Later in the day, she provides insights into the operations adjacent to the treatment room of the facility. Her research employs an electrodialysis system akin to the one used by Amrose but focuses on extracting additional freshwater from leftover brine. Should salinity levels be appropriately managed, this reclaimed water could be distributed to farmers via the local canal system, thus transforming a byproduct of desalination into a vital resource.
Source
arstechnica.com