Method for dust control on saline dry lakebeds using minimal water resources

Abstract

A method for controlling dust on a saline lakebed is disclosed comprising several methods such as a Brine Membrane method, an Interim method and a Springtime Conservation method. A Master method for determining which of the three methods to use under certain circumstances is described. Prospective application of the methods is for dry lakebeds, such as the Owens Lakebed in Calif.

1 . A method for controlling dust in dry lakebeds comprising the steps of:
 determining the presence of dust emission at a discrete region by monitoring the air quality in the region;   if the determination of a presence of dust emission exceeds a pre-determined level, determine whether there is at least one existing dust control wetting basin in the dry lakebed;   in the event at least one wetting basin exists, determine whether a brine membrane method of dust control may be successfully implemented in said at least one wetting basin;   if the determination as to whether the brine membrane method of dust control is affirmative, physically implement the brine membrane method of dust control;   if the determination of whether the brine membrane method of dust control is negative, determine whether the existing wetting basin can be successfully curtailed to conserve residual natural water delivery using the springtime conservation method;   if the determination of whether the existing wetting basin can be successfully treated to curtail and control the residual water is affirmative, physically implement the springtime conservation method; and   if no wetting basin exists, or an existing wetting basin is dried and no longer supplied with water, physically implement the interim solution method.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step for determining whether a brine membrane method of dust control may be successfully implemented includes testing for seepage loss from said wetting basin in excess of a predetermined amount. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said step for determining whether a brine membrane method of dust control may be successfully implemented after determining that the seepage loss is not in excess of a predetermined amount, includes determining whether based on financial resources the brine membrane method should be implemented. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said step for determining whether a brine membrane method of dust control may be successfully implemented includes determining whether the brine membrane method conflicts with wildlife habitat use of the dry lakebed. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in the event that no wetting basin exists, determining whether to create at least one wetting basin. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein in the event that the determination of whether to create at least one wetting basin is affirmative, constructing at least one berm at a predetermined site on the dry lakebed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said brine membrane method comprises:
 mining precipitated salts and sodium chloride dominated brine from a suitable deposit; 
 dissolving said precipitated salts in water to create a brine with a predetermined level of dilution;
 transporting by water carrier said brine to said wetting basin; and 
 
 depositing said brine in said wetting basin so as to concentrate by evaporation and to form precipitated beds of salts capped by sodium chloride-dominated brine thereby forming a Brine Membrane. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said precipitated salts comprise sodium carbonate and sodium sulfate. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said water is heated to the water solubility temperature of sodium carbonate. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said water is heated well above the precipitation temperature of the selected dilution level. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said transporting water carrier is a pipe, a ditch or some other aqueous solution carrier. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said depositing step comprises the placing of the transport outlet so that the discharge is at the lowermost portion of the wetting basin. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein implementation of the Interim Solution method comprises:
 determining if the dry lakebed contains sodium carbonate and sodium sulfate salts; 
 if the dry lakebed contains sodium carbonate and sodium sulfate salts, mixing an aqueous solution containing at least one divalent cation chloride salt and an anionic polymer; and 
 spraying or otherwise spreading said aqueous solution on the dry lakebed. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said divalent cation chloride salt is selected from the group comprising calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said anionic polymer is a polyacrylamide or similar compound. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  the step of determining if the dry lakebed contains sodium carbonate and sodium sulfate salts is negative, pre-treat the lakebed with dilute sodium carbonate and sodium sulfate salts prior to spreading said aqueous solution. 
     
     
         17 . A method for controlling dust in a saline dry lakebed having at least one wetting basin portion, a evaporite deposit portion including precipitated salts and a brine solution, a portion suitable for a wildlife habitat, and a portion that is dry at least during a portion of the year, comprising:
 constructing a Brine Membrane on the portion with the wetting basin;   applying an Interim Solution to the dry portion and/or a dried wetting basin or habitat; and/or   applying to the wetting basin a Springtime Conservation method upon determination that the lakebed temperature within the at least one wetting basin exceeds a predetermined level.