Brine is a concentrated salt solution (usually sodium chloride), which is used for preserving various foodstuffs, as well as in the refrigerant industry. Brine is also a by-product of some seawater desalination plants. However, the disposal of brine can be problematic. For example, the density of brine is greater than typical seawater, and if it was discharged into the sea, it would tend to sink towards the seabed and not disperse throughout the water column. This can result in a hypersaline layer of water forming on the seabed, which could damage sea habitats and organisms.