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MCE–GIS evaluation for the potential location of RO membrane recycling plant in the Segura River Basin, Spain

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Abstract

The large amount of end-of-life (EoL) reverse osmosis (RO) membrane modules needed in desalination processes represents an important opportunity for material valorization. Alternative waste management routes are being developed worldwide to give them a second life within the Circular Economy (CE) principles. The aim of this study is the potential location identification for an EoL-RO direct recycling plant in the Segura River Basin, one of the most important desalination areas of Spain (with more than 42% of the Spanish desalination capacity). Using Geographical Information System (GIS) technologies, a Multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) methodology has been used for the suitability assessment for the membranes recycling plant best location. The evaluated criteria have been divided into restricted (natural protected areas, rivers, roads, reservoirs, supply channels and flood-prone areas) and conditioning (land use, topography and distance to shoreline). The spatial analysis shows that the 0.8% and 4.7% of the river basin area are optimally and highly suitable, respectively, for the recycling plant location. On the contrary, the totally restricted areas are more than 23% of the basin. This work will be the base for further environmental and economic studies of the reverse logistics: EoL-RO modules collection and the distribution of recycled products.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support to the LIFE program for funding the TRANSFOMEM project (LIFE13 ENV/ES/000751), to the project INREMEM—CTM2015-65348-C2-1-R (MINECO/FEDER).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IMDEA Water Institute, Avda. Punto Com 2, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain

    A. Blanco, J. Senan, R. García-Pacheco & J. A. Pascual-Aguilar

  2. LEQUIA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003, Girona, Spain

    R. García-Pacheco

  3. CIDE CSIC UV GV, Landscape Chem and Environm Forens Grp, Carretera Moncada km 4-5, 46113, Valencia, Spain

    J. A. Pascual-Aguilar

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  1. A. Blanco
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Correspondence to A. Blanco.

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Blanco, A., Senan, J., García-Pacheco, R. et al. MCE–GIS evaluation for the potential location of RO membrane recycling plant in the Segura River Basin, Spain. Environ Earth Sci 80, 305 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09564-z

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