Integrated System for Solar Desalination, CO2 Capture, and Ecosystem Restoration

The rapid increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and the escalating impacts of climate change underline the urgent need for comprehensive and scalable solutions integrating carbon capture, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable freshwater production. This study proposes an innovative system that combines solar-powered desalination buoys, high-efficiency microalgae cultivation, and bivalve biomineralization for CO2 sequestration, coupled with gravity-fed aqueducts for inland freshwater distribution. Inspired by successful initiatives such as the Sahara Forest Project and the Great Green Wall in Africa, the proposed system addresses multiple environmental challenges, including water scarcity, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, while providing climate adaptation benefits such as wildfire risk reduction and local climate moderation. This multi-benefit approach supports climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable development in arid and coastal regions.