Abstract

One of the most pervasive problems afflicting people throughout the world is inadequate access to clean water and sanitation. Problems with water are expected to grow worse in the coming decades, with water scarcity occurring globally, even in regions currently considered water-rich. Addressing these problems calls out for a tremendous amount of research to be conducted to identify robust new methods of purifying water at lower cost and with less energy, while at the same time minimizing the use of chemicals and impact on the environment. Here we highlight some of the science and technology being developed to improve the disinfection and decontamination of water, as well as efforts to increase water supplies through the safe re-use of wastewater and efficient desalination of sea and brackish water.

Keywords

SanitationPopulationWater resourcesNatural resource economicsBusinessIrrigationDaemonWater useWater resource managementEnvironmental scienceAgricultural economicsEconomic growthEnvironmental engineeringEcologyEconomicsComputer scienceSociologyBiology

MeSH Terms

AgricultureConservation of Natural ResourcesDisinfectionHumansTechnologyWater PurificationWater Supply

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Publication Info

Year
2008
Type
review
Volume
452
Issue
7185
Pages
301-310
Citations
8055
Access
Closed

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8055
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Cite This

Mark A. Shannon, Paul W. Bohn, Menachem Elimelech et al. (2008). Science and technology for water purification in the coming decades. Nature , 452 (7185) , 301-310. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature06599

Identifiers

DOI
10.1038/nature06599
PMID
18354474

Data Quality

Data completeness: 86%