KAUST Researchers Innovate Tailored Desalination Solutions To Combat Water Scarcity In Saudi Agriculture

Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) are working with local farmers and the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture to tackle Saudi Arabia's pressing issue of water scarcity in agriculture. This collaboration aims to develop innovative solutions for sustainable farming in arid regions by integrating controlled environment agriculture (CEA) with desalination techniques.

The KAUST Center of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security is spearheading a project that focuses on desalination and wastewater treatment technologies. These technologies aim to provide water that is clean enough for hydroponic farming of high-value crops, addressing concerns about plant health and cost-effectiveness. The initiative seeks to enhance sustainable agriculture by using non-conventional water resources.

Prof. Noreddine Ghaffour from KAUST's Environmental Science and Engineering department leads the project. He stated, "Why not tailor desalination technology by removing only exactly what we want removed? It will be cheaper than previous practices because we will do it with less energy, targeting specific crops." His team is focused on creating solutions that promote food abundance and economic growth.

The current methods used by farmers to desalinate local brackish water are both costly and inefficient. These methods remove all ions, including essential nutrients missing in local soils, necessitating partial remineralization of the water. Ghaffour's team aims to selectively eliminate only what each crop type cannot tolerate, thereby reducing steps, energy consumption, and costs.

The two-year research project commenced in September 2024. KAUST researchers are assessing various technological solutions such as nanofiltration, electrodialysis, and brackish water reverse osmosis to identify the most effective methods. One innovative approach involves "forward osmosis," which uses liquid-phase fertilizers to facilitate the process.

Additionally, the project employs anaerobic membrane bioreactor technology combined with ultraviolet disinfection to reclaim municipal wastewater. This enhances water quality and nutrient availability within CEA systems. The goal is to develop a comprehensive understanding of various groundwaters in Saudi Arabia and select crop-specific desalination technologies.

National Goals Alignment

This initiative aligns with national objectives of promoting sustainable agriculture, reusing wastewater, and reducing reliance on freshwater sources. It supports resilient farming practices while advancing the Kingdom’s food security strategy. The project underscores how innovative research at KAUST addresses critical challenges facing Saudi Arabia.

The research aims to optimize treatment configurations for testing selected crops at the KAUST Plant Science Core Lab. The objective is to deliver prototypes at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4-5. If successful, these technologies could position Saudi Arabia as an exporter rather than an importer of such innovations.

"Some crops need more salt than others. Some may need more nutrients. Some crops are not tolerant to boron. That is why our target is to tailor. Our target is to keep the cost as low as possible," Ghaffour highlighted.

This comprehensive effort showcases how KAUST faculty are driving impactful academic research that contributes significantly to addressing the nation’s critical challenges while positioning KAUST as a valuable asset for Saudi Arabia.

With inputs from SPA