Question

Potable water is obtained from both groundwater AND sea water. Describe how seawater and groundwater are treated to produce potable water.

a) Desalination for seawater, filtration and disinfection for groundwater.
b) Filtration for seawater, chemical treatment for groundwater.
c) Distillation for seawater, aeration for groundwater.
d) Chlorination for seawater, sedimentation for groundwater.

Answer 1

Seawater is treated through desalination, particularly reverse osmosis, while groundwater is treated through filtration and disinfection.

Step-by-step explanation:

Seawater is treated through a process called desalination which involves the removal of salt. One method of desalination is reverse osmosis, where high pressure is applied to seawater to force water molecules through a semipermeable membrane, leaving behind the dissolved salt. This process is commonly used in large-scale desalinization plants in desert regions. On the other hand, groundwater is treated through filtration to remove impurities and disinfection to kill bacteria and germs. Filtration typically involves the use of a porous medium, such as sand or activated carbon, to remove particles. Disinfection is commonly achieved by adding chlorine or another disinfectant to the water.