Desalination: Converting Seawater into Fresh Water
Desalination is the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater to produce fresh water suitable for human consumption or agriculture. This technology is becoming essential in many parts of the world, especially in arid regions where natural sources of fresh water are limited. The most common method for modern desalination is called reverse osmosis. In this process, high pressure forces seawater through a special membrane that blocks salt but allows water molecules to pass through. While desalination provides a reliable source of fresh water, it also has disadvantages. The main issue is its high energy consumption, which makes the water expensive to produce. This energy requirement presents a significant challenge for making desalination a widespread and sustainable solution. Therefore, scientists are working on developing more energy-efficient methods to lower the costs and environmental impact. As global populations grow and climates change, the importance of desalination is expected to increase.
Câu hỏi luyện tập
1. What is the primary purpose of the desalination process?
2. What is the name of the most common desalination method mentioned in the text?
3. According to the passage, what is the main disadvantage of desalination?
4. In which type of areas is this technology particularly essential?
5. Why are scientists trying to develop new desalination methods?
6. According to the passage, the high energy use of desalination presents a what?