F R O M O C E A N T O TA B L E :
As California’s drought moves into its third year, the resulting complications are proving to be devastating
California’s Lake Shasta in 2014. The reservoir is receding at an average of 4.9 inches per day. (Photo Credit: David Greitzer / Shutterstock.com) REVERSE OSMOSIS Reverse osmosis is being fitted for the new desalination plant in San Diego County. A specialized type of membrane-based technology, plants are equipped with a semipermeable membrane that removes larger particles from the water that flows over them, and applied pressure works to overcome osmotic pressure driven by a chemical potential. 1. Water is piped into the building from the ocean goes through
a basic filtration process. This removes larger particles from the water including marine materials. 2. It then moves through plants racks that are filled with membranes. These racks stack next to each other. 3. Pressure is used to flush water over the membranes and, in the process, over and through the membranes. Molecules and ions are removed from water, including salt. 4. The fresh water is separated 9