The Centre For Water Research

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Two field experiments, an ongoing monitoring programme and an extensive modelling investigation, all completed between August 2006 and April 2007, were conducted in Cockburn Sound to determine the dynamical behaviour of the saline effluent released by the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant. The duration of the investigation covers periods prior to the operation of the plant, through commissioning and into full operation. The detailed objectives of these investigations were to determine the impact of the desalination plant saline effluent on stratification in the Sound and to determine the impact of the desalination plant saline effluent on dissolved oxygen in the Sound.

Transect of measured (upper panel) and simulated (lower panel) salinity along the main shipping channel and off the shelf during the middle of the day on 26 April 2007. The triangles at the top of each panel indicate the measurement points (indicated on the map in the upper right corner), with the red triangle indicating the station immediately offshore of the diffuser.

Rhodamine dye release during the field experiment carried out in April 2007.