Desalination is the process of removing dissolved mineral salts from seawater to obtain freshwater for human consumption or agricultural purposes. There are two main methods of desalination:
-
Distillation: This method involves boiling seawater in a still, collecting the steam, and condensing it to obtain freshwater. However, this method is not very effective as it consumes large amounts of energy.
-
Reverse Osmosis: This method involves forcing seawater through a semipermeable membrane that separates salt from water. This method typically requires less energy than distillation and is therefore more commonly used in modern desalination plants.
It is important to note that desalination is generally more costly than obtaining freshwater from surface water or groundwater, water recycling, and water conservation. However, in areas affected by freshwater scarcity, desalination can be a viable solution.
