Development of a Model for the Implementation of the Circular Economy in Desert Coastal Regions

Abstract

Food production is the main challenge for developing arid regions due to the restricted access to fresh water. This study combines the environmental know-how of two coastal desert regions on the American continent with similar geographical characteristics to propose a general model for a circular economy in stressed environmental conditions. The Atacama Desert, located in Chile, is the driest place on Earth. Due to the lack of rainfall in decades, the possibility of growing food is almost impossible. The Desert of Sonora, in the northwest of Mexico, is known for its extreme aridity and temperatures over 50 °C in summer. Both deserts have continuously growing cities ranging from 400,000 to 900,000 inhabitants, where access to and management of freshwater represents an issue. A circular economy model was developed. Critical parameters for this model considered: the utilisation of solar energy for water desalination and energy production, integrated with hydroponic farming and water dosing with hydrogels for food production; microalgae for biofuels; seaweed for biochemicals; anaerobic digestion for organic waste management and nutrient recovery from wastewater sludge treatment. Regional policies and governance are needed to incentivise the adoption of circular economy models.