BIODESALINATION- USING MICROORGANISMS TO REDUCE WATER SALINITY

Abstract

The global demand for freshwater is rising, exacerbating water scarcity issues affecting nearly half the world's population. The existing freshwater resources are quite unevenly distributed and unsustainably used, making it difficult for them to suffice the growing needs of the population. Therefore, it becomes essential to tap into the large ocean water reserves and make that water potable. Although present in vast amounts, ocean water can’t be used for useful purposes due to the immense salt content present in it. Therefore, it is important to devise newer and sustainable technologies for efficient salt removal from brackish and ocean water reserves. Conventional desalination methods to reduce salt content, though useful, are energy-intensive and have detrimental environmental impacts, making it necessary to explore other alternatives to desalinate water. Such methods should be cost-effective, rapid, and environmentally sustainable for them to surpass the existing technologies. For instance, thermal desalination requires significant amounts of heat energy, often generated from non-renewable sources, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Membrane-based techniques, such as reverse osmosis, also consume substantial energy and produce brine, which poses disposal challenges that can harm marine ecosystems. For this project, I have reviewed various desalination technologies, emphasizing their pros and cons, exploring the historical evolution of desalination, including thermal and membrane-based methods, and introducing a novel approach—biological desalination—using salt-tolerant microorganisms like cyanobacteria and algae. The molecular and physiological aspects of how these microbes facilitate desalination and their potential in reducing salinity have been evaluated. Biological desalination presents a sustainable and energy-efficient alternative, particularly for isolated locations.