NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Desalination removes salt from saltwater and converts it to freshwater, but the process has some negative environmental impacts. Desalination plants produce waste and toxic chemicals that are harmful to wildlife and the planet. The process can also raise salt levels in seawater, which affects fish.

Detailed explanation-2: -Desalination has the potential to increase fossil fuel dependence, increase greenhouse gas emissions, and exacerbate climate change if renewable energy sources are not used for freshwater production. Desalination surface water intakes are a huge threat to marine life.

Detailed explanation-3: -There are environmental costs to desalination as well: in the emissions of greenhouse gases from the large amount of energy used, and in the disposal of the brine, which in addition to being extremely salty is laced with toxic treatment chemicals.

Detailed explanation-4: -Advancements in reverse osmosis technology have brought desalination costs closer to other alternatives. Ten years ago, desalinated water cost more than $9 per 1000 gallons, but today, the range is $2 to $5 per 1000 gallons for commercial and industrial reverse osmosis desalination systems.