Which method is commonly used to reduce dissolved solids in water?

The method of reverse osmosis is commonly employed to reduce dissolved solids in water. This process uses a semi-permeable membrane that allows water molecules to pass through while effectively blocking a significant amount of dissolved solids, including salts, minerals, and organic compounds. As water is forced through the membrane, the higher concentration of dissolved particles is on one side, and this set-up causes pure water to be collected on the opposite side. This technique is widely used in various applications, including desalination, wastewater treatment, and producing high-purity water for industrial processes.

The effectiveness of reverse osmosis in achieving high levels of purification distinguishes it from other methods. For example, adsorption relies on substances adhering to the surface of a solid; while it can be effective for certain contaminants, it does not inherently remove dissolved solids as comprehensively as reverse osmosis. Coagulation involves the addition of chemicals to help form larger particles (or flocs) from smaller suspended particles or colloids, which helps in sedimentation but does not directly target dissolved solids. Irrigation, while crucial in agricultural contexts, is not a method aimed at reducing dissolved solids in water; instead, it involves the application of water to soil for the purpose of growing crops.

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