What are the environmental impacts associated with 'disposing of geothermal brine', and how are they mitigated?

Disposing of geothermal brine, the residual fluid after steam or heat extraction, poses several environmental challenges. One major impact is surface water contamination. Geothermal brine often contains high concentrations of dissolved salts, minerals, and heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, and boron. Direct discharge into surface waters can harm aquatic life and contaminate drinking water sources. Groundwater contamination is another concern. Improper disposal of brine can lead to the migration of contaminants into groundwater aquifers, making them unsuitable for drinking or irrigation. Soil contamination is also a risk. Surface spills or leaks from brine disposal systems can contaminate soil, affecting plant ....