TED Talks Daily A circular economy for salt that keeps rivers clean | Tina Arrowood
Oct 16, 2019
Tina Arrowood, a physical organic chemist, presents an inventive three-step plan to tackle the salt crisis affecting rivers. She discusses how excessive salt from roads threatens freshwater resources. Arrowood explores innovative membrane technologies that convert industrial wastewater into valuable assets. She emphasizes the importance of creating a circular salt economy, leveraging industrial byproducts for better environmental sustainability. Her engaging insights highlight how we can protect our precious rivers while responsibly managing salt usage.
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River Vulnerability
- Rivers have low salinity (0.05%) and are vulnerable to salt contamination.
- Ocean water, with higher salinity (3+%), dwarfs river volume, making rivers susceptible.
Rising River Salinity
- A 2018 study found 37% of US river sites had increasing salinity, especially in the East.
- Road salt and industrial wastewaters are potential causes, highlighting human impact.
River Defense Mechanism
- Implement a three-step river defense: reduce water extraction, recover/reuse salt, and switch to recycled salt sources.
- This proactive approach protects rivers, unlike reactive rehabilitation.