Scientists innovate desalination process using sun-powered clay minerals

Proceeding from its article, EcoNews describes that groundbreaking advancements in water purification and desalination technologies are transforming the way people address global water scarcity and pollution. 

In a world where access to clean water is crucial, new innovations in water purification and desalination offer hope to billions. Researchers from China, in collaboration with the University of South Australia, are addressing the issue of pesticide contamination and the desalination of seawater. Their work suggests a promising shift in the availability of sustainable, safe drinking water worldwide.

One such advancement is the development of a method to purify drinking water from pesticide residues. With pesticide use having increased by 62 per cent in the past two decades, contributing to human health issues such as BSE and cancer, it poses a significant threat to water sources. Current water treatment methods fail to effectively remove pesticide residues, necessitating the creation of new solutions. Researchers from Australia and China have demonstrated that powdered activated carbon (PAC) can effectively and affordably remove pesticides from water.

Liang and colleagues refined the PAC method by reducing the particle size from 38 μm to 6 μm, which allowed for a 75 per cent reduction in PAC usage, making the process both cost-efficient and more effective. This method not only removes harmful pesticides but also ensures that PAC residues do not remain in the water, improving the overall safety for consumers globally.

Long-term exposure to pesticide-contaminated water is linked to serious health issues, including cancer, highlighting the urgent need to reduce pesticide concentrations. The researchers aim to extend this technology to remove other hazardous chemicals, such as PFAS and PFCs, commonly found in everyday products. Published in Chemosphere, an internationally recognized peer-reviewed chemical journal, this groundbreaking discovery has the potential to revolutionize water treatment systems worldwide.

Water scarcity has traditionally been addressed through desalination, which converts seawater into freshwater. However, this process is energy-intensive and environmentally harmful. Researchers from China and South Australia have developed a method to make desalination faster, more efficient, and eco-friendly by incorporating clay minerals in a solar-powered desalination system.

The use of clay minerals accelerates evaporation, reducing the energy required and enhancing efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. If adopted, this innovation could provide clean water to billions, making desalination a more viable solution to water scarcity. Existing desalination plants, however, create toxic brine that harms marine life and rely on polluting energy sources, highlighting the need for further advancements in this method.

According to UNICEF, 4 billion people worldwide lack access to clean water, and half the global population faces uncertain access to water in the near future. This new desalination technology offers a promising and practical solution to the world’s ongoing water scarcity crisis.

Advancements in pesticide detoxification and water purification are crucial steps in improving the global water supply. By enhancing efficiency, these innovations offer safer access to clean water for millions. They also highlight the power of international collaboration in tackling pressing issues, fostering further creativity and progress.

As the global population grows and industrialization increases pressure on water resources, ongoing research into water quality remains vital. The breakthroughs from China and South Australia play a significant role in securing water for future generations, addressing critical challenges like water scarcity and pollution. This article offers additional insights on these important developments.

By Naila Huseynova