Desalinating: meaning, definitions and examples
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desalinating
[ˌdɛsəˈleɪnɪt ]
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.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- 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.
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.
Translations
Translations of the word "desalinating" in other languages:
🇵🇹 dessalinização
🇮🇳 नमकीन पानी को शुद्ध करना
🇩🇪 Entsalzung
🇮🇩 desalinasi
🇺🇦 десалінізація
🇵🇱 odsalanie
🇯🇵 淡水化
🇫🇷 dessalement
🇪🇸 desalinización
🇹🇷 tuzdan arındırma
🇰🇷 염수 탈염
🇸🇦 إزالة الملوحة
🇨🇿 odsolování
🇸🇰 odsoľovanie
🇨🇳 脱盐
🇸🇮 odsoljevanje
🇮🇸 saltvatnsmeðferð
🇰🇿 тұзсыздандыру
🇬🇪 მარილწყლის გაწვდილი
🇦🇿 duzdan təmizləmə
🇲🇽 desalinización
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.