The body of an adult contains more than 50% water. Therefore, our health depends on the quality of the fluid we consume. Today I want to introduce you to interesting facts about water, types and sources of pollution. I will also talk about the main methods of obtaining a liquid that is suitable for consumption.
Why does a person get old?
Agree, an interesting question. There is no definite answer to it, but there are some theories. One of them – the reason for aging lies in the inability of body cells to keep the water level at a level sufficient for all metabolic processes. For clarity, I will give a diagram:
That is, the older we get, the less water cells and internal organs contain.
What kind of water is in the body
The fluid in the body is different from the usual one. It has a different structure that is similar to ice. The body independently brings water to this state. Scientists have proven that the constant use of low-quality water can cause irreversible negative processes in the development and life of the body. Harmful impurities can change the cellular structure.
How is water contaminated?
The process of saturation of water with harmful substances arises from human activities and natural ways. There are about 400 sources of artificial water pollution.
Among them, there are 3 groups:
chemical (oil, metals, pesticides);
physical (radiation);
biological (viruses, bacteria, microorganisms).
Natural pathways for freshwater pollution are underground waters with a high mineral content, as well as sea waters that can enter underground waters. Surface and underground waters are polluted. The latter are the most dangerous, since water through wells and wells directly (without purification and treatment) gets into the disposal of people. In this case, water can spread over a distance of tens of kilometers from the place of pollution. Complexes for water purification are a way out of this situation. But we’ll talk about this later.
How untreated water affects human life
Depending on the impurities, the water can be suitable for consumption for food and household purposes. However, at the same time, its quality deteriorates significantly. Therefore, it is acceptable to use only pure water without impurities. Let’s consider several types of water pollution and highlight the consequences of its use by humans.
Suspended substances that do not dissolve in water. For example, clay and sand. They give the water a cloudy color and make it unsuitable for drinking and use for laundry, dishwashing and other purposes.
Organic matter (natural and man-made). For example, animal waste, decomposition products, oil, acids. Contribute to the appearance of an unnatural color, odor. The use of such water
Bacteria and microorganisms. Water often has the usual clarity and taste. The presence of harmful elements can only be detected in laboratory conditions. The use causes poisoning, indigestion, infectious diseases (cholera, typhus).
Hardness salts. These include calcium and magnesium salts. When their content is increased, the liquid becomes unusable. In such water, detergents do not foam, food is cooked for a long time. It also contributes to the appearance of scale in water heaters, kettles. Constant drinking can lead to the deposition of stones in the internal organs.
Manganese and iron. The main g ion resin water purifier signs of such impurities are rich color (rusty, brown, red, black) and metallic taste. Iron content increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and liver disease. Manganese accumulates in the body and is toxic in large quantities. Nitrates, ammonia. Their increased concentration can cause cancer.
Hydrogen sulfide. The main symptom is an unpleasant odor. Saturation with hydrogen sulfide and other gases makes it unsuitable for use.
How water is purified
In natural reservoirs, water purification occurs naturally and takes more than one year. Previously, when production was less developed, all waste entering aboveground and underground water bodies was eliminated independently. At the present time, they are incapable of this. That is why it has become obligatory to purify both waste water and consumed water. Let’s look at the methods of water purification that are used in industries, in a water utility and in home purification plants. They are used both separately and in combination.
Cleaning methods are divided into two large groups:
Destructive. Aimed at the destruction and destruction of harmful elements, microorganisms. It is used both in water treatment plants and in home treatment complexes.
Regenerative. The point is not only to eliminate undesirable factors, but also to extract them for further use. After all, the obtained chemical elements are valuable raw materials for the industry.
According to the methods used, there are such methods:
mechanical;
physical and chemical;
biological.
Next, let’s take a closer look at each of the methods.
What are the mechanical methods of water purification
The essence of mechanical cleaning is to remove mechanical impurities. These include clay, sand, rust and other elements that are removed without the use of special tools.
Mechanical methods involve a set of measures, including straining, settling and filtering. They belong to the preparatory stage of complete cleaning.
The effect of mechanical cleaning is achieved thanks to filters with filtering materials. Its type and size depend on the volume and quality of the incoming water. The main factor is its turbidity. A specialist who will conduct the necessary tests will help you choose the right equipment for the object.
There are two types of filter media used:
straining. Unwanted particles are recovered by passing through the porous material. May not retain elements that are smaller than the pores of the material.
film filtration. More reliable method. The material is covered with a film that helps to trap small particles.
Mechanical cleaning is one of the cheapest methods. Its effectiveness is not absolute. However, the process removes up to 65% of unwanted substances. This is a good preparation for further cleaning steps.
In cottages and country houses, mechanical water purification from a well or a source is usually used. It is carried out in conjunction with other techniques.
The essence of physical and chemical methods
Physicochemical methods are used to purify water from small liquid and solid particles that cannot be separated by other methods. They also remove mineral and organic elements and gases. Such water treatment methods are usually used in large industries and for wastewater treatment. Next, we will consider several approaches to this method.
Coagulation and flocculation. Special substances are introduced into untreated water – coagulants. For example, salts of iron, copper, ammonium. They are designed to be combined with fine particles in the liquid. After the reaction, precipitation occurs in the form of flakes. They can be easily removed by mechanical means. The volume of sediments during coagulation can be 20% of the total.
A type of coagulation is flocculation. The main difference is the time and degree of exposure to unwanted impurities. Flocculation is used to enhance the coagulation effect. It increases the rate of flocculation and reduces the dose of coagulant.
The application of coagulation and flocculation consists of several stages:
determination of the required portion of substances;
placing them in water;
the formation of a precipitate in the form of flakes;
settling and sediment removal.
Adsorption. This cleaning method is based on the use of substances that have the ability to neutralize unwanted additives by absorbing them. For example, activated carbon, some types of clay, peat, silicate gel. Adsorption is used to remove such substances: dyes, surfactants, pesticides, etc. This is an effective method that can extract 90% of harmful elements. The result obtained depends on the amount of adsorbent and the quality of the source water. The recovered additives can serve as material for industry or destroyed together with the adsorbent. To complete the purification, the original liquid must be passed through the adsorbent bed. For best results, use multiple layers.
Flotation. Used to get rid of petroleum products, surfactants, oils. Bubbles of gas (most often ordinary air) are fed into the liquid. They are able to extract harmful substances by adding them. These bubbles then float to form a foam.
It is in it that unwanted additives are contained. This foam is then removed from the surface of the water.
Ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. The liquid is filtered using membranes and high pressure. They allow water to pass through, but retain additives dissolved in it. Ultrafiltration is capable of separating molecules of substances that are larger than water molecules. Reverse osmosis – not exceeding them. Application of electric current. A feature of these methods is the use of electric current for their implementation. It is used in technologies aimed at extracting various impurities.
Biology help
The main point is the use of certain living organisms that are able to eliminate unwanted impurities. For the purification of drinking water by biological methods, microorganisms (heterotrophic) are used. They feed on the contained organic matter, which is oxidized during the activity of these organisms.
In order for the purification of drinking water to have the desired effect, one should have an idea of the vital activity of a particular microorganism. It is also correct to accept it. The two main processes that affect the quality of the fluid received are respiration and nutrition. It is in them that the essence of biological treatment lies.
The level of effectiveness of the method largely depends on the source material: the degree of pollution, the amount of organic and inorganic substances. If it is above the permissible level for a specific concentration of microorganisms, then this is fraught with negative consequences. Microorganisms cannot cope with the load, do not have time to multiply and die.
If water is supplied from an artesian well, then the depth of its deposits also matters. The deeper it is, the less organic matter it contains. In biological treatment complexes, it is often possible to monitor this level.
Biological complexes are also used for waste and industrial water treatment. In this case, the effect depends on the volume and level of contamination of the liquid, the temperature of the environment. It can be used for both natural and artificial reservoirs.
What is aeration?
If you are familiar with the topic of water purification, you may have repeatedly come across the term “aeration”. Let’s take a look at this term and find out what this process is.
Aeration is a technology that allows you to purify water using air. It allows you to oxidize and neutralize the impurities present in it (iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, volatile compounds). Also eliminates the unpleasant odor of hydrogen sulfide. There are other ways to oxidize impurities, but they can be more costly. Aeration is the most efficient, economical and environmentally friendly method so far.
Aeration is widely used in filters for water purification in cottages and country houses. Installation takes up little space, but for an ordinary apartment it may seem a little cumbersome. In a private house, it is enough to allocate a small room (or part of it) for the location of equipment. Its installation also does not take a lot of money. Wizards cope with all stages of the installation in one day.
Myths about home water purification
Bottled water is healthier than purified water. In fact, the manufacturer packs the same cleaned plastic in plastic. If the manufacturer does not indicate that the raw materials are of artesian origin, then ordinary tap water is most often taken. It is refined and bottled. Then it can be in this state for several months, during which harmful substances from the package penetrate into the water.
Boiling is a panacea for all impurities. Let’s think about it. Remember what we used burners for in chemistry lessons? Answer: to accelerate chemical processes in a substance. This also applies to boiling tap water. It accelerates the interaction of organic elements and chlorine. As a result of such processes, dioxins are formed. These are substances that have a negative impact on health and are carcinogenic.
Silver cleaning is a reliable solution. Another misconception. Yes, indeed silver has been used for centuries to increase the shelf life of water. However, a high concentration of silver is required to purify tap water. This approach can neutralize bacteria, but negatively affect health. After all, it is a heavy metal that accumulates in the body. At the same time, silver will not cleanse the liquid from organic and inorganic impurities.
Spring water does not require purification. This is also a myth. Our ancestors were in good health and could afford to consume such water without purification. The body of a modern person is weakened by ecology, stress and lifestyle. And spring water is a fickle system that can contain different concentrations of substances at different times. Its use can cause intestinal problems. If you feel normal, it means one thing – you have strong immunity.
Freezing is the best cleaning method. This is partly not a myth. If you freeze a bottle of water and then defrost it, you will end up with a far from pure liquid. The freezing effect occurs through several actions. First, you need to put the liquid in the freezer and wait for the ice crust to form. Then remove it. It will contain unwanted elements. Next, you should again place the vessel in the freezer and wait for the moment when ice forms around the perimeter, and a little water remains in the center. It should be drained, and the ice washed and melted. This will be pure water. Also, this approach allows you to neutralize harmful microorganisms. Freezing, however, takes a lot of time and effort. It is much easier to use cleansing complexes.
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