MCCLARY, JR., M.; Fairleigh Dickinson Univ.: Benthic biodiversity prior to a reverse osmosis plant in Clear Water Bay, China
Reverse osmosis is a process that moves water against its concentration gradient for the purpose of producing fresh water. When this is done, the waste water, brine, has a salinity that is higher than that of seawater. The purpose of this study was to collect background data to determine if a reverse osmosis plant will have an effect on the biota. A total of 18 stations were sampled in Clear Water Bay. Three subtidal stations were surveyed using a 0.03 m2 LaMotte grab and fifteen intertidal stations were surveyed by hand at low tide. The number of species (S) was highest near the intake line and lowest downstream of the brine line. The number of individuals (N) was highest downstream of the brine line. Diversity (H’) was lowest downstream of the brine line and was highest near the intake line and downstream to the brine line. Evenness (J) and richness (d) were lowest downstream of the brine line and highest near the intake line and downstream to the brine line. The same stations will be sampled one year after the operation of a reverse osmosis plant to determine its effects on the biota.
