Integrated Desalination, CO2 Capture, andEcosystem Regenerationin the Afar Depression.

This work presents an innovative system designed for the Afar Depression (Ethiopia) to address water scarcity, soil salinity, and climate change mitigation through the capture of CO2. The proposal integrates thermally driven desalination canals, cultivation of microalgae (diatoms, cyanobacteria), and macroalgae on floating buoys, alongside bivalves for water filtration. By leveraging the intense solar radiation and high ambient temperatures, seawater is transported via an above-ground aqueduct to shallow evaporation channels, where salts crystallize and fresh water is collected by condensation. Initial simulations suggest that a 100-hectare pilot project can capture up to 1,000 t of CO2 per year while producing significant volumes of fresh water and valuable biomass. The concept is modular and can be scaled to other arid coastal regions, contributing significantly to global carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration efforts.