Maximum Yield USA May 2017 | Page 78

grow cycle trends & technology

Salt ,

,

Baby

AT-HOME DESALINIZATION TECHNIQUES by Kent Gruetzmacher

While regular droughts and fresh water shortages are becoming a reality for many , seawater is still a plentiful resource . Though desalinization is typically seen as an expensive option , Kent Gruetzmacher says there are some basic home techniques that can be used .

While Earth is rightly dubbed

“ the blue planet ” thanks to its vast oceans , this terminology falsely alludes to a supply of abundant , consumable water . In truth , only 2.5 per cent of the Earth ’ s water is fresh ; that is , consumable by both humans and typical plant species . Moreover , a majority of this fresh water is contained in snow and ice — leaving only 0.3 per cent of Earth ’ s water available to be utilized .
Through the past decade , as vast areas of the planet experienced water shortages , the global populace has recognized the need to for novel water sources . The most blatant option is the ocean ; however , our vast reserves of seawater cannot be utilized for human consumption or crop irrigation without extensive desalinization treatment . Traditionally , the desalinizing of seawater as a source for drinking water has been viewed as unpractical . This is largely because , on a molecular level , the water and salt bonds within seawater are notoriously strong . As a result , the desalinization process requires a huge amount of energy — meaning that it is a very costly enterprise , both environmentally and financially . Still , for inquisitive homesteaders looking to desalinate water for drinking and irrigation , there are a couple of options .
76 grow cycle