Purification of Natural Waters

Water is a vital resource for all organisms on Earth. It plays a key role in maintaining ecosystems, providing drinking water and supporting industrial and agricultural processes. However, natural bodies of water such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs can be polluted by various pollutants such as industrial wastes, agricultural fertilizers and chemicals. Therefore, the purification of natural waters plays an important role in maintaining the quality of water resources.

Water purification is the process of removing contaminants from natural bodies of water to restore their purity and suitability for a variety of purposes, including drinking water, industrial uses, and ecosystem maintenance. There are several methods of water purification, which are used depending on the type of contaminants and water quality requirements.

One of the main methods of purifying natural waters is physical and chemical purification. It includes processes such as filtration, coagulation, sedimentation and flotation. During the filtration process, water passes through various filters that trap solid particles and organic matter. Coagulation is used to form flocs, which are particles of substances that combine into larger ones, making them easier to remove from water. Sedimentation is a process in which flocs settle to the bottom of a reservoir, while flotation is based on the use of air bubbles that rise up and carry contaminants with them.

Another common method of water purification is reverse osmosis. This process uses a semi-permeable membrane that allows only clean water to pass through, trapping contaminants and salts. Reverse osmosis is widely used for drinking water purification and distilled water production.

To remove bacteria and other microorganisms from natural waters, the chlorination method is used. Chlorine is added to water in the form of chlorine compounds, which kill microorganisms and prevent bacterial growth. However, this technique has some disadvantages, such as the formation of organochlorine compounds, which can be harmful to health.

Research and development in the field of natural water purification continues, and new innovative methods are emerging. Some of these include the use of ultrafiltration, activated carbon, electrochemical purification and other technologies.

Purification of natural waters is important to maintain ecological balance and ensure access to quality drinking water. This is a complex and multifaceted process that requires the joint efforts of government agencies, scientific research and the public. Only through effective water treatment can we protect our natural water resources and ensure their sustainable use in the future.