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Mississippi River & Saltwater Intrusion: Risks, Causes, and Solutions

What Is Saltwater Intrusion in the Mississippi River?

Saltwater intrusion occurs when dense, salty water from the Gulf of Mexico pushes its way upstream into the Mississippi River due to low river flow. Instead of being flushed out by the river’s normal current, saltwater creeps inland along the riverbed, forming what scientists call a saltwater wedge.

This phenomenon becomes a significant concern during late summer and early fall, especially during years of drought or prolonged dry spells. Without enough upstream flow, the river loses its ability to keep saltwater at bay, threatening both municipal water supplies and industrial operations.

Why Is Saltwater Intrusion Happening More Often?

Low River Flow and Drought Conditions

Periods of reduced rainfall across the Mississippi River watershed can dramatically lower river levels. With less water volume, the river’s natural “push” against incoming Gulf saltwater weakens.

Climate Change and Extreme Weather

Warmer temperatures lead to higher evaporation rates and more intense “flash droughts.” These conditions not only lower river flow but also extend the periods when intrusion risk is highest.

The Saltwater Wedge Effect

Saltwater is heavier than freshwater, so it flows underneath the river’s freshwater layer. Over time, it can advance far inland without being visible on the surface, silently contaminating freshwater intakes.

Impact of Saltwater Intrusion on Communities and Industry

Drinking Water Contamination

When saltwater enters municipal intakes, it can make tap water unsafe or unpleasant to drink, especially for people with hypertension or kidney issues due to the elevated sodium content.

Industrial Operations

Industries that depend on freshwater, such as oil refineries, food processing facilities, and power plants, face operational risks. Saltwater can corrode equipment, reduce production efficiency, and lead to costly downtime.

Agriculture

Irrigation water with high salinity can damage crops and degrade soil quality, making farming less viable in affected areas

Historical Examples of Saltwater Intrusion Events

  • 2022 Near New Orleans: A saltwater wedge advanced dangerously close to municipal intakes, prompting emergency response measures.

  • Repeated Seasonal Events: Over the past decade, late summer low water levels have increased the frequency of saltwater threats, especially in southeastern Louisiana.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers often constructs underwater levees or sills to slow saltwater intrusion, but these measures take time and don’t remove salt from already contaminated water supplies.

How ADVANCEES Systems Can Help During Saltwater Intrusion Events

When saltwater intrusion impacts municipal or industrial water supplies, speed is critical. ADVANCEES offers ready-to-deploy water treatment systems capable of handling high-salinity water, providing an immediate, portable solution.

Available for Immediate Deployment:

  • ARKQUA 200 – Produces 200 m³/day of potable water

  • ARKQUA 500 – Produces 500 m³/day of potable water
    Both systems are available for rental or leasing, with a minimum 3-month lease term, making them ideal for temporary emergency response.

Why ARKQUA Systems Are Effective Against Saltwater Intrusion

  • Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) Technology: Designed to treat high-TDS water, such as seawater from the Gulf or brackish intrusions

  • Containerized Design: Rapid deployment to affected areas without major site preparation

  • Turnkey Operation: Includes reverse osmosis, multimedia filtration, and CIP flushing in one container

  • Flexible Use Cases: Municipal backup, industrial processing water, and community relief

ADVANCEES in Emergency Response and Water Security

In saltwater intrusion events, the ability to quickly restore freshwater availability is critical to preventing disruptions in daily life and business operations. By combining rapid deployment capability with advanced treatment technology, ADVANCEES provides a practical solution to one of the Mississippi River’s growing challenges.

If you are a municipality, industrial facility, or emergency response agency facing the risk of saltwater intrusion, ADVANCEES can mobilize the ARKQUA 200 or ARKQUA 500 immediately.


Contact us today to secure your system before the next low river season.

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Water Degasification and Reverse Osmosis: Enhancing Water Purity

In water treatment processes, achieving high-purity water is essential for industries such as pharmaceuticals, power generation, food processing, and electronics manufacturing. One critical step in this purification process is water degasification, which removes unwanted gases from water to enhance its quality and performance. When combined with reverse osmosis (RO) technology, degasification plays a crucial role in optimizing water treatment for various industrial and commercial applications.
 

What Is Water Degasification?

Water degasification is the process of removing dissolved gases, such as oxygen (O₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen (N₂), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), from water. These gases can cause corrosion, scaling, and pH imbalances, which negatively impact water quality and industrial operations.
The degasification process ensures that water meets stringent purity requirements by eliminating gases that could interfere with downstream processes, such as reverse osmosis.
 

 

Why Is Water Degasification Important?

Many industries require ultra-pure water, and the presence of dissolved gases can lead to several issues, including:
 

1. Corrosion Prevention

Gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide contribute to the corrosion of pipelines, boilers, and water treatment equipment. Removing these gases helps extend the lifespan of industrial systems.
 

2. pH Stabilization

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) in water can lower pH levels, making water more acidic and leading to scaling in pipes and equipment. Degasification helps maintain a stable pH, improving overall water quality.
 

3. Improved Reverse Osmosis Efficiency

Reverse osmosis membranes are sensitive to gases and scaling, which can reduce system performance. By removing dissolved gases before RO treatment, the efficiency and lifespan of the membranes improve significantly.
 

 

How Does Water Degasification Work?

There are several methods used to remove dissolved gases from water, each offering specific advantages based on application needs.
 

1. Vacuum Degasification

This method involves reducing the pressure inside a vacuum tower, causing dissolved gases to be released from the water. It is commonly used in power plants, semiconductor manufacturing, and pharmaceutical industries.
 

2. Membrane Degasification

Membrane contactors allow water to pass through a hydrophobic membrane, which removes dissolved gases without the need for chemicals. This method is widely used in reverse osmosis pretreatment.
 

3. Forced Draft Degasification

Water is exposed to air in tall degassing towers, where fans help strip gases like CO₂ and H₂S from the water. This method is effective for high-volume water treatment.
 

4. Chemical Degasification

Chemicals, such as deoxygenation agents, can be added to water to remove gases. This method is often used in boiler feedwater applications.
 

 

The Role of Water Degasification in Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems

Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most effective water purification methods, but its efficiency can be impacted by dissolved gases. Here’s how water degasification enhances RO performance:
 

1. Protecting RO Membranes from Scaling

CO₂ in water contributes to carbonate scaling, which can clog RO membranes. Pre-treatment degasification reduces CO₂ levels, preventing scale formation and improving membrane lifespan.
 

2. Improving Water Purity

RO removes salts, bacteria, and contaminants, but gases can still pass through the membranes. Post-treatment degasification ensures that high-purity water remains free from unwanted gases.
 

3. Reducing Operational Costs

By removing corrosive gases before RO treatment, industries can extend membrane life, reduce maintenance costs, and improve overall system efficiency.
 

 

Industries That Benefit from Water Degasification & RO

Many industries rely on degasification and reverse osmosis for their water treatment needs:
  • Power Plants – Degassed water prevents corrosion in boilers and turbines.
  • Pharmaceuticals – Ultra-pure water is essential for drug production and laboratory applications.
  • Food & Beverage – Ensures high water quality for beverage manufacturing and food processing.
  • Semiconductor & Electronics – Protects sensitive components from contaminants and scaling.
 

ADVANCEES Water Degasification & Reverse Osmosis Solutions

At ADVANCEES, we provide advanced water degasification and reverse osmosis systems to help industries achieve the highest level of water purity. Our systems are designed for efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring that your water treatment process operates at peak performance.
 

Our Solutions Include:

  • Membrane Degasification Systems – Ideal for RO pretreatment to remove dissolved CO₂ and oxygen.
  •  Vacuum Degasification Units – Highly effective for high-volume industrial applications.
  •  Reverse Osmosis Systems – Available in commercial, industrial, and containerized configurations.
 

Learn More About Our RO Solutions Here:

 

 

Looking for The Right Degasification or RO Solution?

Water Degasification is a Crucial Process for Improving Water Quality, Preventing Corrosion, and Ensuring the Efficiency of Reverse Osmosis systems. by Integrating Degasification and Ro Technology, Industries Can Enhance Water Treatment Performance, Reduce Maintenance Costs, and Extend System Lifespan.
Contact ADVANCEES today to Discuss how Our Customized Water Treatment Systems Can Meet Your Specific Needs.
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