Desalinating Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ง
desalinating
[หdษsษหleษชnษชt ]
Definition
water purification
Desalinating refers to the process of removing salt and other impurities from seawater or brackish water to produce fresh water. This method is critical for providing potable water in regions facing water scarcity, particularly in arid or coastal regions. Techniques for desalination include reverse osmosis and distillation, both of which require significant energy resources. As global water demand increases, desalination is seen as a viable option to meet the needs of growing populations and industries.
Synonyms
de-salt, desalinize.
Examples of usage
- The city invested in desalinating facilities to ensure a consistent water supply.
- Scientists are researching more efficient methods of desalinating seawater.
- Desalinating ocean water can help provide drinking water in drought-stricken areas.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Science
- Desalination typically uses methods like reverse osmosis or distillation to separate salt from water.
- Reverse osmosis pushes seawater through a fine membrane that only allows water molecules to pass through.
Environment
- Desalination plants are built to provide drinking water in places where freshwater is scarce.
- While helpful, the process can have environmental impacts, including the disposal of concentrated salt back into the ocean.
Economics
- The cost of desalinating water can be high, making it more expensive than traditional freshwater sources.
- Investing in desalination technology is increasingly seen as necessary in areas facing severe drought.
Global Usage
- Countries like Saudi Arabia and Israel rely heavily on desalinated water for their drinking water supply.
- As of now, over 300 million people worldwide depend on desalinated water, highlighting its growing importance.
Origin of 'desalinating'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from 'desalt,' which is a combination of 'de-' meaning 'remove' and 'salt,' referring to the mineral.
- The practice has roots in the early 20th century, but the term 'desalination' became popular in the mid-20th century.
The term 'desalinate' was derived from the combination of the prefix 'de-' meaning 'to remove or reduce' and 'salinate,' which relates to the process of adding salt. The origin of the word can be traced back to the early 20th century when technology began to advance sufficiently to make desalination feasible on a large scale. Historically, societies located near coastal areas have used simple evaporation methods to obtain fresh water from seawater, but it wasn't until the 1950s that modern desalination techniques began to be developed extensively. The process has become increasingly important due to growing concerns over freshwater scarcity and the impacts of climate change on water resources.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #42,440, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.