Of all the water on the earth, only about 3% is fresh water. 68% of all the freshwater is frozen as glaciers and is unavailable for human consumption. We have the technology to desalinate the ocean water to make it drinkable. Why is it that we do not desalinate water on a large scale to increase the total amount of fresh water available for humans? A) The desalination process is too expensive to do on a large scale. B) We cannot make the salt water clean enough for human consumption. C) We currently desalinate tremendous volumes of ocean water for humans. Eliminate D) There is no need for desalination as humans can safely drink ocean water.

Question

Luciano Blake

Biology

15 January, 06:18

Of all the water on the earth, only about 3% is fresh water. 68% of all the freshwater is frozen as glaciers and is unavailable for human consumption. We have the technology to desalinate the ocean water to make it drinkable. Why is it that we do not desalinate water on a large scale to increase the total amount of fresh water available for humans? A) The desalination process is too expensive to do on a large scale. B) We cannot make the salt water clean enough for human consumption. C) We currently desalinate tremendous volumes of ocean water for humans. Eliminate D) There is no need for desalination as humans can safely drink ocean water.

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Answers (2)

Know the Answer?

Jeffrey Lee · Answer 1

The answer is C

Cohen Bailey · Answer 2

The correct answer is statement A.

Explanation:

The procedure of purifying ocean water, that is, the saline water so that it can become suitable for drinking is termed as desalination. Almost 70 percent of the Earth is covered with water and of this only 3 percent is used for drinking purposes. On a huge scale, the process of desalination would require the boiling of water, which would eventually require an enormous amount of energy.

Reverse osmosis and electro-dialysis are the methods used for desalination. However, these procedures are very costly and cannot be performed on a huge level as it can affect the economy of various countries.