2023
Ibrahim, Hamed D.; Sun, Yunfang
How much does rainfall cool the ocean? Journal Article
In: Bulletin of American Meteorological Society, Nowcast, 2023.
@article{ibrh3,
title = {How much does rainfall cool the ocean?},
author = {Hamed D. Ibrahim and Yunfang Sun},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-07-25},
journal = {Bulletin of American Meteorological Society, Nowcast},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Ibrahim, Hamed D.; Sun, Yunfang
Sea-surface cooling by rainfall modulates Earth's heat energy flow Journal Article
In: Journal of Climate, vol. 36, pp. 5125–5141, 2023.
@article{ibrh2,
title = {Sea-surface cooling by rainfall modulates Earth's heat energy flow},
author = {Hamed D. Ibrahim and Yunfang Sun},
doi = {10.1175/JCLI-D-22-0735.1},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Climate},
volume = {36},
pages = {5125–5141},
abstract = {Characterizing the physical processes that modulate the continuous partitioning of heat between the ocean and overlying atmosphere is important for monitoring the subsequent flow of the heat accumulating in the ocean because of anthropogenic climate change. Oceanic rainfall sensible heat flux (Qp), whereby rainwater cools the sea surface, is computed and compared to the sea surface heat energy balance in the 60°N–60°S region. Contrary to popular belief, the results show that Qp is large at both short and long time scales, accounting for up to 22.5% of sea surface net heat flux around the 5.8°N line of latitude, 10.1% in the tropical 20°N–20°S region, and 5.7% in the global 60°N–60°S region. In the mixed layer of these same regions, area-average temperature change owing to a 10-yr accumulated Qp is up to −2.6° and −1.4°C, respectively. Further analysis reveals a previously unspecified rainfall–evaporation negative feedback between successive evaporation–rainfall cycles at the sea surface. The Qp depresses sea surface temperature and thus inhibits evaporation (latent heat flux), which in turn inhibits rainfall owing to decrease in water vapor supply to the atmosphere. The decrease in sea surface temperature also inhibits heat conduction from the ocean to the atmosphere (sensible heat flux). To compensate for the weaker latent and sensible heat fluxes, sea surface upward longwave radiation flux strengthens. We conclude that Qp acts like a modulator of Earth’s heat energy flow by controlling the partition of upper-ocean heat energy and the cycle of heat flow in the ocean and between the ocean and the atmosphere.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Characterizing the physical processes that modulate the continuous partitioning of heat between the ocean and overlying atmosphere is important for monitoring the subsequent flow of the heat accumulating in the ocean because of anthropogenic climate change. Oceanic rainfall sensible heat flux (Qp), whereby rainwater cools the sea surface, is computed and compared to the sea surface heat energy balance in the 60°N–60°S region. Contrary to popular belief, the results show that Qp is large at both short and long time scales, accounting for up to 22.5% of sea surface net heat flux around the 5.8°N line of latitude, 10.1% in the tropical 20°N–20°S region, and 5.7% in the global 60°N–60°S region. In the mixed layer of these same regions, area-average temperature change owing to a 10-yr accumulated Qp is up to −2.6° and −1.4°C, respectively. Further analysis reveals a previously unspecified rainfall–evaporation negative feedback between successive evaporation–rainfall cycles at the sea surface. The Qp depresses sea surface temperature and thus inhibits evaporation (latent heat flux), which in turn inhibits rainfall owing to decrease in water vapor supply to the atmosphere. The decrease in sea surface temperature also inhibits heat conduction from the ocean to the atmosphere (sensible heat flux). To compensate for the weaker latent and sensible heat fluxes, sea surface upward longwave radiation flux strengthens. We conclude that Qp acts like a modulator of Earth’s heat energy flow by controlling the partition of upper-ocean heat energy and the cycle of heat flow in the ocean and between the ocean and the atmosphere.
Ibrahim, Hamed D.; Wuebbles, Donald J.
Flooding and the interannual variability of hydrologic quantities in the Missouri River basin. Journal Article
In: JAWRA Journal of American Water Resources Association, vol. 59, no. 5, pp. 999–1024, 2023.
@article{jawra23,
title = {Flooding and the interannual variability of hydrologic quantities in the Missouri River basin.},
author = {Hamed D. Ibrahim and Donald J. Wuebbles},
doi = {10.1111/1752-1688.13117},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {JAWRA Journal of American Water Resources Association},
volume = {59},
number = {5},
pages = {999–1024},
abstract = {The six mainstem reservoirs in the Missouri River basin (MRB) are managed mainly to prevent flooding from snowmelt and heavy rainfall, a goal for which the interannual variabilities of precipitation (P), evapotranspiration (ET), and surface air temperature (Tair) are vitally important. We tested the hypothesis that under the expected higher variability owing to global climate change, the months with the highest contributions to the interannual variability of P, ET, and Tair in the MRB will remain unchanged and quantified likely temporal trends in these quantities. Using high-resolution, downscaled Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 multi-model ensemble data sets, we compared the multi-year ratio of monthly and annual interannual variability and temporal trends in P, ET, and Tair during 2011–2020 with three future decades. Results showed that the 6 months with the highest interannual variability in P and ET (April–September) are the same in all four decades. However, for Tair, only 4 months (December–March) retain their status as highly variable throughout the four decades; September and October variability is exceeded by the variability in other months. This implies that, compared to P and ET, the cyclical change in the probabilities of Tair in the MRB is less stable under future global climate change. This finding can be used to consider the need to alter existing strategies for reservoir release while minimizing the likelihood of aggravating flooding below the reservoirs.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The six mainstem reservoirs in the Missouri River basin (MRB) are managed mainly to prevent flooding from snowmelt and heavy rainfall, a goal for which the interannual variabilities of precipitation (P), evapotranspiration (ET), and surface air temperature (Tair) are vitally important. We tested the hypothesis that under the expected higher variability owing to global climate change, the months with the highest contributions to the interannual variability of P, ET, and Tair in the MRB will remain unchanged and quantified likely temporal trends in these quantities. Using high-resolution, downscaled Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 multi-model ensemble data sets, we compared the multi-year ratio of monthly and annual interannual variability and temporal trends in P, ET, and Tair during 2011–2020 with three future decades. Results showed that the 6 months with the highest interannual variability in P and ET (April–September) are the same in all four decades. However, for Tair, only 4 months (December–March) retain their status as highly variable throughout the four decades; September and October variability is exceeded by the variability in other months. This implies that, compared to P and ET, the cyclical change in the probabilities of Tair in the MRB is less stable under future global climate change. This finding can be used to consider the need to alter existing strategies for reservoir release while minimizing the likelihood of aggravating flooding below the reservoirs.
2022
Ibrahim, Hamed D.; Sun, Yunfang
Multidecadal Fluctuations of SST and Euphotic Zone Temperature off Northwest Africa Journal Article
In: Journal of Physical Oceanography, vol. 52, no. 12, pp. 3077–3099, 2022.
@article{ibrh1,
title = {Multidecadal Fluctuations of SST and Euphotic Zone Temperature off Northwest Africa},
author = {Hamed D. Ibrahim and Yunfang Sun},
doi = {10.1175/JPO-D-22-0031.1},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
urldate = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Physical Oceanography},
volume = {52},
number = {12},
pages = {3077–3099},
abstract = {The Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV) switched from a cool to a warm phase in 1995 and the mean euphotic zone (EZT) and sea surface temperature (SST) shifted upward by 0.57° and 0.69°C, respectively, between 1982–91 and 2006–15 in the Atlantic region off northwest Africa. This ocean margin has many marine fisheries, and water temperature fluctuations may cause fish there to switch their habitats. Net radiation flux did not significantly change between these two decades. So, we hypothesized that the key driver of the EZT and SST increase is wind, which controls turbulent (sensible and latent) heat exchange with the atmosphere as well as bulk vertical and horizontal heat transport. Using satellite-derived SST and atmospheric and oceanic reanalyses to analyze the ocean top-200-m heat budget, we compared the relative contributions of the heat budget components to the cyclical changes in EZT and SST between these two decades. Results showed that the dominant heat source is horizontal heat flux convergence: weaker northeasterly trades and stronger southerly winds and monsoon enabled the southerly winds to drive warm water northward that subsequently warmed the domain. The dominant heat sink is latent heat loss: onshore–offshore atmospheric pressure gradients caused a complex wind adjustment that enabled the Sahara wind to accelerate evaporation over large subregions. These results highlight the important roles of ocean heat transport and atmosphere–ocean coupling for the tropical branch of the AMV. The regional EZT and SST anomalies associated with this AMV phase switch are mainly a consequence of wind-driven processes occurring at larger spatial scales.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV) switched from a cool to a warm phase in 1995 and the mean euphotic zone (EZT) and sea surface temperature (SST) shifted upward by 0.57° and 0.69°C, respectively, between 1982–91 and 2006–15 in the Atlantic region off northwest Africa. This ocean margin has many marine fisheries, and water temperature fluctuations may cause fish there to switch their habitats. Net radiation flux did not significantly change between these two decades. So, we hypothesized that the key driver of the EZT and SST increase is wind, which controls turbulent (sensible and latent) heat exchange with the atmosphere as well as bulk vertical and horizontal heat transport. Using satellite-derived SST and atmospheric and oceanic reanalyses to analyze the ocean top-200-m heat budget, we compared the relative contributions of the heat budget components to the cyclical changes in EZT and SST between these two decades. Results showed that the dominant heat source is horizontal heat flux convergence: weaker northeasterly trades and stronger southerly winds and monsoon enabled the southerly winds to drive warm water northward that subsequently warmed the domain. The dominant heat sink is latent heat loss: onshore–offshore atmospheric pressure gradients caused a complex wind adjustment that enabled the Sahara wind to accelerate evaporation over large subregions. These results highlight the important roles of ocean heat transport and atmosphere–ocean coupling for the tropical branch of the AMV. The regional EZT and SST anomalies associated with this AMV phase switch are mainly a consequence of wind-driven processes occurring at larger spatial scales.
Ibrahim, Hamed D.
Simulated Effects of Seawater Desalination on Persian/Arabian Gulf Exchange Flow Journal Article
In: Journal of Environmental Engineering, ASCE, vol. 148, no. 4, pp. 04022012, 2022.
@article{hib3,
title = {Simulated Effects of Seawater Desalination on Persian/Arabian Gulf Exchange Flow},
author = {Hamed D. Ibrahim},
doi = {10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001983},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
urldate = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Environmental Engineering, ASCE},
volume = {148},
number = {4},
pages = {04022012},
publisher = {American Society of Civil Engineers},
abstract = {Since the 1980s, the occurrence of harmful algae blooms (HABs) in the Persian/Arabian Gulf has increased concurrently with the rapid expansion of Gulf seawater desalination. Moreover, Gulf HABs have been observed simultaneously with established HABs in the adjacent outer ocean basin. The freshwater sink generated by seawater desalination is balanced by a stronger near-surface influx of the Gulf exchange flow, which carries salt into the Gulf and may also carry HABs that travel passively. Here, the hypothesis that seawater desalination has strengthened Gulf exchange influx, probably leading to accelerated horizontal advection of established HABs in the outer ocean basin into the Gulf and enhanced HAB dispersal within the Gulf, is examined. Two scenarios with differing magnitudes of freshwater loss from seawater desalination and one scenario devoid of freshwater loss are simulated in a coupled Gulf-Atmosphere Model and compared. The results show that, because of this freshwater loss, mean March–June exchange influx (outflux) strengthened by 3.93% (5.38%) and mean July–February exchange influx (outflux) weakened by −10.16% (−9.08%); flushing time decreased by ≈21 days, and peak exchange influx occurred sooner by ≈1 month. These results support the above-stated hypothesis and suggest a linkage between Gulf seawater desalination and the recent shift in the seasonal regime of Gulf HABs. This causal mechanism for the increase in Gulf HABs highlights the need for a basin-scale management strategy to monitor and forecast the Gulf’s state under the stresses of seawater desalination and provide early warning signs of environmental problems. Such a strategy is already in place in several marginal seas with anthropogenic activities. The findings here provide design elements for developing this strategy in the Gulf.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Since the 1980s, the occurrence of harmful algae blooms (HABs) in the Persian/Arabian Gulf has increased concurrently with the rapid expansion of Gulf seawater desalination. Moreover, Gulf HABs have been observed simultaneously with established HABs in the adjacent outer ocean basin. The freshwater sink generated by seawater desalination is balanced by a stronger near-surface influx of the Gulf exchange flow, which carries salt into the Gulf and may also carry HABs that travel passively. Here, the hypothesis that seawater desalination has strengthened Gulf exchange influx, probably leading to accelerated horizontal advection of established HABs in the outer ocean basin into the Gulf and enhanced HAB dispersal within the Gulf, is examined. Two scenarios with differing magnitudes of freshwater loss from seawater desalination and one scenario devoid of freshwater loss are simulated in a coupled Gulf-Atmosphere Model and compared. The results show that, because of this freshwater loss, mean March–June exchange influx (outflux) strengthened by 3.93% (5.38%) and mean July–February exchange influx (outflux) weakened by −10.16% (−9.08%); flushing time decreased by ≈21 days, and peak exchange influx occurred sooner by ≈1 month. These results support the above-stated hypothesis and suggest a linkage between Gulf seawater desalination and the recent shift in the seasonal regime of Gulf HABs. This causal mechanism for the increase in Gulf HABs highlights the need for a basin-scale management strategy to monitor and forecast the Gulf’s state under the stresses of seawater desalination and provide early warning signs of environmental problems. Such a strategy is already in place in several marginal seas with anthropogenic activities. The findings here provide design elements for developing this strategy in the Gulf.
2020
Ibrahim, Hamed D.; Eltahir, Elfatih A. B.
Evaluation of the impact of brine discharge position on salinity in the Persian/Arabian Gulf's slow flushing zone Journal Article
In: Desalination and Water Treatment, vol. 191, pp. 72-81, 2020.
@article{hibr2,
title = {Evaluation of the impact of brine discharge position on salinity in the Persian/Arabian Gulf's slow flushing zone},
author = {Hamed D. Ibrahim and Elfatih A. B. Eltahir},
doi = {10.5004/dwt.2020.25695},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
urldate = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Desalination and Water Treatment},
volume = {191},
pages = {72-81},
abstract = {The Persian/Arabian Gulf is the sink of hypersaline effluent (brine) for plants with about half of the world’s seawater desalination capacity. Many of these plants discharge brine into the Gulf’s southwestern region where the salt in brine accumulates because seawater there is not replaced often by the Gulf’s residual circulation (i.e., the region is poorly flushed). This circulation flushes
the whole Gulf and inhibits salt accumulation at the basin scale. But flushing is not effective in the southwestern region, which has been described as the “Gulf’s slow flushing zone.” Here, the impact of brine discharge position on salinity in this zone is evaluated by comparing two scenarios of brine discharge into the Gulf’s residual circulation dynamics. In the first scenario, brine from the 24 largest seawater desalination plants in the Gulf is introduced into the residual circulation; and in the second scenario, the brine discharge position of one of these 24 plants is positioned away from the slow flushing zone. In the two scenarios, brine discharge caused salt buildup in the slow flushing zone. However, annual area-average salinity there is about 1.10–1.55 PSU smaller in scenario two compared to scenario one, indicating the influence of discharge position on salt buildup because of brine discharge. This study, accordingly, suggests a methodology for selecting brine discharge position in the Gulf’s slow flushing zone.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Persian/Arabian Gulf is the sink of hypersaline effluent (brine) for plants with about half of the world’s seawater desalination capacity. Many of these plants discharge brine into the Gulf’s southwestern region where the salt in brine accumulates because seawater there is not replaced often by the Gulf’s residual circulation (i.e., the region is poorly flushed). This circulation flushes
the whole Gulf and inhibits salt accumulation at the basin scale. But flushing is not effective in the southwestern region, which has been described as the “Gulf’s slow flushing zone.” Here, the impact of brine discharge position on salinity in this zone is evaluated by comparing two scenarios of brine discharge into the Gulf’s residual circulation dynamics. In the first scenario, brine from the 24 largest seawater desalination plants in the Gulf is introduced into the residual circulation; and in the second scenario, the brine discharge position of one of these 24 plants is positioned away from the slow flushing zone. In the two scenarios, brine discharge caused salt buildup in the slow flushing zone. However, annual area-average salinity there is about 1.10–1.55 PSU smaller in scenario two compared to scenario one, indicating the influence of discharge position on salt buildup because of brine discharge. This study, accordingly, suggests a methodology for selecting brine discharge position in the Gulf’s slow flushing zone.
the whole Gulf and inhibits salt accumulation at the basin scale. But flushing is not effective in the southwestern region, which has been described as the “Gulf’s slow flushing zone.” Here, the impact of brine discharge position on salinity in this zone is evaluated by comparing two scenarios of brine discharge into the Gulf’s residual circulation dynamics. In the first scenario, brine from the 24 largest seawater desalination plants in the Gulf is introduced into the residual circulation; and in the second scenario, the brine discharge position of one of these 24 plants is positioned away from the slow flushing zone. In the two scenarios, brine discharge caused salt buildup in the slow flushing zone. However, annual area-average salinity there is about 1.10–1.55 PSU smaller in scenario two compared to scenario one, indicating the influence of discharge position on salt buildup because of brine discharge. This study, accordingly, suggests a methodology for selecting brine discharge position in the Gulf’s slow flushing zone.
Ibrahim, Hamed D.; Sun, Yunfang
Mechanism study of the 2010–2016 rapid rise of the Caribbean Sea Level Journal Article
In: Global and Planetary Change, vol. 191, pp. 103219, 2020, ISBN: 0921-8181.
@article{ibrh,
title = {Mechanism study of the 2010–2016 rapid rise of the Caribbean Sea Level},
author = {Hamed D. Ibrahim and Yunfang Sun},
doi = {10.1016/j.gloplacha.2020.103219},
isbn = {0921-8181},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
urldate = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Global and Planetary Change},
volume = {191},
pages = {103219},
abstract = {The Caribbean Sea level increased rapidly by about 6.55 cm in the period 2010–2016. This dramatic rise occurred concurrently with a step change in basin mass (freshwater equivalent) of about 1.09 cm (relative to 2006–2009) and an increase in surface freshwater loss of about 5.96 cm. Using re-analysis and satellite-derived atmosphere and ocean physics datasets, we investigate the driver for this episode of sea level rise and its impact on vertical water structure. Our conclusion is that increase in Caribbean sea evaporation, which removes latent heat and cools surface waters, caused upward longwave radiation to decrease, resulting in warming and total steric sea level rise of about 5.34 cm; and saline water that compensated for increased surface freshwater loss caused basin mass to increase due to the additional salt. Because of these concurrent changes, surface layer and mixed layer salinity and temperature increased; and adjustments of the Atlantic inflow and Gulf of Mexico return flow (equivalent net lateral exchange increase of about 7.05 cm) deepened the interface between the stratified top water and bottom rest water of the Caribbean Sea. This study highlights the useful role of the Caribbean Sea for illustrating local mechanisms and patterns of sea level variability in a changing global climate.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Caribbean Sea level increased rapidly by about 6.55 cm in the period 2010–2016. This dramatic rise occurred concurrently with a step change in basin mass (freshwater equivalent) of about 1.09 cm (relative to 2006–2009) and an increase in surface freshwater loss of about 5.96 cm. Using re-analysis and satellite-derived atmosphere and ocean physics datasets, we investigate the driver for this episode of sea level rise and its impact on vertical water structure. Our conclusion is that increase in Caribbean sea evaporation, which removes latent heat and cools surface waters, caused upward longwave radiation to decrease, resulting in warming and total steric sea level rise of about 5.34 cm; and saline water that compensated for increased surface freshwater loss caused basin mass to increase due to the additional salt. Because of these concurrent changes, surface layer and mixed layer salinity and temperature increased; and adjustments of the Atlantic inflow and Gulf of Mexico return flow (equivalent net lateral exchange increase of about 7.05 cm) deepened the interface between the stratified top water and bottom rest water of the Caribbean Sea. This study highlights the useful role of the Caribbean Sea for illustrating local mechanisms and patterns of sea level variability in a changing global climate.
Ibrahim, Hamed D.; Xue, Pengfei; Eltahir, Elfatih A. B.
Multiple Salinity Equilibria and Resilience of Persian/Arabian Gulf Basin Salinity to Brine Discharge Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 7, pp. 573, 2020, ISSN: 2296-7745.
@article{hibr,
title = {Multiple Salinity Equilibria and Resilience of Persian/Arabian Gulf Basin Salinity to Brine Discharge},
author = {Hamed D. Ibrahim and Pengfei Xue and Elfatih A. B. Eltahir},
doi = {10.3389/fmars.2020.00573},
issn = {2296-7745},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
urldate = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science},
volume = {7},
pages = {573},
abstract = {The Persian/Arabian Gulf is the most important region for seawater desalination. Surrounding countries produce about 50% of global desalinated seawater. If Gulf salinity significantly rises because of desalination effluent (brine), marine ecosystems and the water supply for many population centers will be threatened. In order to quantify current and future impacts of seawater desalination on Gulf salinity and avoid costly environmental problems, it is vital to first examine the present Gulf salinity state and its response to salinity perturbation (i.e., determine its stability). Here, using a coupled Gulf-Atmosphere numerical climate model, we test the hypothesis that the Gulf has a single stable equilibrium state under the current climate. Simulations with different initializations under identical external forcing show that the natural coupled Gulf-Atmosphere system may exhibit a mixture of unstable and stable equilibrium salinity states. When continuous salinity perturbation is added to the simulations, results show that the present Gulf equilibrium state, characterized by annual mean basin-average salinity of about 40.5 g/kg, is stable. We conclude that Gulf basin salinity is resilient to present brine discharge activities under the current climate.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Persian/Arabian Gulf is the most important region for seawater desalination. Surrounding countries produce about 50% of global desalinated seawater. If Gulf salinity significantly rises because of desalination effluent (brine), marine ecosystems and the water supply for many population centers will be threatened. In order to quantify current and future impacts of seawater desalination on Gulf salinity and avoid costly environmental problems, it is vital to first examine the present Gulf salinity state and its response to salinity perturbation (i.e., determine its stability). Here, using a coupled Gulf-Atmosphere numerical climate model, we test the hypothesis that the Gulf has a single stable equilibrium state under the current climate. Simulations with different initializations under identical external forcing show that the natural coupled Gulf-Atmosphere system may exhibit a mixture of unstable and stable equilibrium salinity states. When continuous salinity perturbation is added to the simulations, results show that the present Gulf equilibrium state, characterized by annual mean basin-average salinity of about 40.5 g/kg, is stable. We conclude that Gulf basin salinity is resilient to present brine discharge activities under the current climate.
2019
Ibrahim, Hamed D.; Eltahir, Elfatih A. B.
Impact of Brine Discharge from Seawater Desalination Plants on Persian/Arabian Gulf Salinity Journal Article
In: Journal of Environmental Engineering, ASCE, vol. 145, no. 12, pp. 04019084, 2019.
@article{hib1,
title = {Impact of Brine Discharge from Seawater Desalination Plants on Persian/Arabian Gulf Salinity},
author = {Hamed D. Ibrahim and Elfatih A. B. Eltahir},
doi = {10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001604},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
urldate = {2019-01-01},
booktitle = {Journal of Environmental Engineering},
journal = {Journal of Environmental Engineering, ASCE},
volume = {145},
number = {12},
pages = {04019084},
publisher = {American Society of Civil Engineers},
abstract = {The Persian Gulf (also known as Arabian Gulf) is surrounded by desalination plants with about 50% of worldwide capacity to desalinate seawater. Most of these plants dispose of hypersaline effluent (brine) via surface and nearshore outfall into the Gulf. Because energy for desalination increases with seawater salinity, buildup of salt in brine endangers potable water supply there. Brine also contains metals and chemicals (foreign to the marine environment) that have adverse effects on marine ecosystems. Here, for the first time, brine is introduced into Gulf evaporation-driven residual circulation, which controls subbasin flushing, to quantify brine impact on salinity at basin and regional scales. Salt buildup increased mean annual basin salinity (40.5 g/kg) by only 0.43 g/kg, which confirms that basin salinity is insensitive to brine. But regional sensitivity to brine is significant, especially in the southwestern Gulf region near the Arabian coast, where the largest salt buildup raised salinity by about 4.3 g/kg. The results of this study suggests a significant role for brine outfall position in determining brine impact on regional salt levels.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Persian Gulf (also known as Arabian Gulf) is surrounded by desalination plants with about 50% of worldwide capacity to desalinate seawater. Most of these plants dispose of hypersaline effluent (brine) via surface and nearshore outfall into the Gulf. Because energy for desalination increases with seawater salinity, buildup of salt in brine endangers potable water supply there. Brine also contains metals and chemicals (foreign to the marine environment) that have adverse effects on marine ecosystems. Here, for the first time, brine is introduced into Gulf evaporation-driven residual circulation, which controls subbasin flushing, to quantify brine impact on salinity at basin and regional scales. Salt buildup increased mean annual basin salinity (40.5 g/kg) by only 0.43 g/kg, which confirms that basin salinity is insensitive to brine. But regional sensitivity to brine is significant, especially in the southwestern Gulf region near the Arabian coast, where the largest salt buildup raised salinity by about 4.3 g/kg. The results of this study suggests a significant role for brine outfall position in determining brine impact on regional salt levels.
2012
Benson, David A.; Atchley, Adam; Maxwell, Reed M.; Poeter, Eileen; Ibrahim, Hamed; Dean, Arianne; Revielle, Jordan; Dogan, Mine; Major, Elizabeth
In: Water Resources Research, vol. 48, no. 7, 2012.
@article{majorreply,
title = {Reply to comment by A. Fiori et al. on ``Comparison of Fickian and temporally nonlocal transport theories over many scales in an exhaustively sampled sandstone slab''},
author = {David A. Benson and Adam Atchley and Reed M. Maxwell and Eileen Poeter and Hamed Ibrahim and Arianne Dean and Jordan Revielle and Mine Dogan and Elizabeth Major},
doi = {10.1029/2012WR012004},
year = {2012},
date = {2012-01-01},
urldate = {2012-01-01},
booktitle = {Water Resources Research},
journal = {Water Resources Research},
volume = {48},
number = {7},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2011
Major, Elizabeth; Benson, David A.; Revielle, Jordan; Ibrahim, Hamed; Dean, Arianne; Maxwell, Reed M.; Poeter, Eileen; Dogan, Mine
Comparison of Fickian and temporally nonlocal transport theories over many scales in an exhaustively sampled sandstone slab Journal Article
In: Water Resources Research, vol. 47, no. 10, 2011.
@article{major11,
title = {Comparison of Fickian and temporally nonlocal transport theories over many scales in an exhaustively sampled sandstone slab},
author = {Elizabeth Major and David A. Benson and Jordan Revielle and Hamed Ibrahim and Arianne Dean and Reed M. Maxwell and Eileen Poeter and Mine Dogan},
doi = {10.1029/2011WR010857},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
urldate = {2011-01-01},
booktitle = {Water Resources Research},
journal = {Water Resources Research},
volume = {47},
number = {10},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}