237 © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 M.A. Khan et al. (eds.), Sabkha Ecosystems Volume V: The Americas, Tasks for Vegetation Science 48, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-27093-7_12 Design Concept of a Reverse Osmosis Reject Irrigated Landscape: Connecting Source to Sabkha Cylphine Bresdin, Margaret Livingston, and Edward P. Glenn Abstract Feasibility studies in Arizona (U.S.A.) have determined that ocean deliv- ery is a viable disposal option for saline waste water when sourced from near coastline regions. Use of open canals to transport waste water and use of evaporation ponds to reduce waste water volume are standard engineer- ing practices. Engineered designs tend to focus on practicality and effi- ciency without regard to principles of landscape ecology. The concept of a saline ecosystem with landscape pattern incorporated as the vehicle for an evapotranspiration induced sequence of ecotopes along a directional saline gradient is proposed. This model will serve as a constructive, ecologically- based method to reduce reverse osmosis concentrate waste volume while increasing salinity during transport from source (RO facility) to sink (sab- kha). In the process, biota is allowed to self-organize into marsh habitat and the system of pattern creates potential for plant and microbial crops. Potential for research use of the ecosystem is illustrated in light of a con- ceptual plan for the Santa Clara Slough, located at the northern end of the Sea of Cortez in the Gulf of California. 1 Introduction As humans use fresh water it becomes more saline and as the broad salinity level of fresh water increases, there is demand to desalinate and return potable water for human consumption. As the number of desalination operations increase, the volume of concentrated waste also increases, but desalination is not the only source of brine waste streams. According to Lefebvre and Moletta (2006) the leather, textile, petro- leum, agro-food, and chemical industries C. Bresdin (*) • E.P. Glenn Environmental Research Laboratory, University of Arizona, 2601 East Airport Drive, Tucson, AZ 85756, USA e-mail: cylph@email.arizona.edu M. Livingston College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, University of Arizona, 1040 North Olive Road, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA 12 cylph@email.arizona.edu