I am looking in to key potential areas of research and development in high-salinity environments that may positively contribute to climate change effect mitigation as a policy study for the Middle East.
I think halophytes have a great potential to alleviate the pollution deriving from high salt content wastewater. See publication Pavan F., Breschigliaro S., Borin M., 2014. Screening of eighteen species for digestate phytodepuration. Environ Sci Pollut Res. DOI 10.1007/s11356-014-3247-3 uploaded on RG
Hi Richard
Arid regions face great shortage of fresh water resources, enhanced now a days particularly with climate change and global warming. Saline lands are very common in these regions, and saline water resources are also plenty in the forms of surface and ground water resources. Of course in proximity to the oceans, there is endless source of saline water resources.
What if we look at some halophytes as economical and useful crops? they have potential use as forage, medicinal, food, wood, ..... The thing is that Halophytes can complete their life cycle in high saline environments. So, if we consider halophytes as crops, the farmers now have the option of using them, in naturally saline environments, whithout worrying about leaching the salts with valuable fresh water resources. In Iran, we have worked on this subject for the last 15 years, and we call it Haloculture. Haloculture is an integrated and sustainable system of bio-production, using saline resources. A sequence of aquaculture, plant production (forage, tree, etc), and at the end point, Salt production. It is a promising tool for resolving many of our environmental problems as well as enhancing the socio-economic condition of the poor resource farmers in salt affected areas. Recently a new national project was approved and will start shortly, for using Haloculture for 1.5 million ha of seashore lands in south of Iran, along the coasts of Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman.
So, Halophye agronomy or Haloculture is growing rapidly, particularly in arid regions (Middle east, Pakistan, India, Australia, and China). This is for fresh water use mitigation.
As far as for Carbon sequestration goes, there is a great potential in coastal lands around the world for halophyte tree forests (mangroves, acacia, tamarix, etc....). Three is no difference between the ability of a halophyte tree to sequester carbon than a non-halophyte tree. Coastal lands, halophytes and saline waters are probably the only virgin and untapped areas for eonomic crop production and carbon sequestration left on the eart.
Good luck.
Farhad, thanks so much for your thoughtful and extensive input on the topic. Much appreciated, and excellent to know that there seems to be so much promise in the area . I will keep you in the loop if/when the research direction continues.
All the best,
Richard
Thanks Richard
I will be glad to be of help to you for the progress and or development of your project. Attached plz find a powerpoint that might be of interest.
Good luck and all the best
Farhad
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