ArmadilloReasonable9 t1_isp2oel wrote on October 17, 2022 at 5:21 PM

Reply to comment by Grapesoda5k in Ultrathin polymer-based ordered membranes that effectively remove salt from seawater and brine could provide a promising alternative to existing water desalination systems by giuliomagnifico

It’s toxic because of the concentration if it was evaporated it’d still just be sea salt.

Grapesoda5k t1_isp2wgh wrote on October 17, 2022 at 5:22 PM

That's not what toxic means.

ArmadilloReasonable9 t1_isp5lo0 wrote on October 17, 2022 at 5:40 PM

That’s exactly what it means, there’s a safe amount of any substance. A substance is toxic when it harms an organism. You can’t just eat sea salt, even water is toxic when you drink enough of it to dilute you blood to the point your cells swell and burst.

This brine is toxic because it is saltier than the local ecosystem is able to tolerate, and can displace seawater forming pools that hang around.

Grapesoda5k t1_isp6kik wrote on October 17, 2022 at 5:47 PM

Not in this case. You're making parallel arguments based on nothing.

Not one source has supported your argument in the desalination discussions.

https://news.mit.edu/2019/brine-desalianation-waste-sodium-hydroxide-0213

ArmadilloReasonable9 t1_isp84xj wrote on October 17, 2022 at 5:57 PM

There was no mention of toxicity in that article? Dissolution of NaCl in H2O produces Na+, Cl-, OH- and H+ ions. These can form sodium hydroxide and hydrochloride acid. The article supports what I said saying that careful discharging into the ocean is safe if properly managed.

Grapesoda5k t1_ispbwq1 wrote on October 17, 2022 at 6:22 PM

"If" isn't a response you can trust from a corporation.

And notice none of the solutions being done say this stuff is safe for human consumption.

If it was the waste wouldn't be an issue.

So it's not a matter of concentration.

And needing careful consideration in handling the bi-products argues its not just hi-test salt.