What is desalination?

Desalination refers specifically to the process of removing salt and other impurities from seawater to produce fresh, potable water. This process is critical in areas where freshwater resources are scarce and is increasingly important in addressing water shortages. The methods used in desalination can include reverse osmosis and distillation, both of which effectively separate salts and other contaminants from water.

While filtering water for reuse and recycling wastewater are important processes for water management and conservation, they do not involve the conversion of seawater into freshwater, which is the primary purpose of desalination. Extracting minerals from water does not accurately describe desalination either, as this process is about purifying water rather than isolating its mineral contents. Thus, the focus on purifying seawater directly aligns with the definition of desalination, making it the correct choice.