When we talk about water, we always think about that used for drinking, bathing or preparing our food. However, there are several types of water on the planet, each with its own peculiarity.
According to the salinity, we can divide water into fresh, brackish and salt water. THE fresh water it has little amount of salt (sodium chloride), so, despite the term, we must make it clear that it does not contain sugar. This is the water most used by man and is available in rivers, lakes and underground reserves. It is estimated that it represents only 2.5% of the planet's total water.
THE salty water it is rich in dissolved salts, mainly sodium chloride. This type of water is found in the seas and oceans and makes up about 97.5% of all water on Earth.
Finally, we have the brackish water, which has intermediate characteristics, that is, it has more salts than fresh water and less salts than salt water. It is common in areas where the river meets the sea, such as the mangrove.
In addition to this basic classification, we can mention other well-known types of water, such as the
drinking water, mineral water, distilled water and deionized water. THEpotable water can be defined as a fresh water suitable for consumption, being characterized by not having color, odor, pathogenic microorganisms and presenting some important natural minerals.THE mineral water, in turn, can be defined as one that has physical-chemical characteristics that promote benefits to human beings. These waters are more enriched in mineral salts when compared to others and are classified according to their chemical composition, source and medicinal properties. Generally, this type of water is drinkable.
already the distilled water is the one produced in the laboratory using a distiller. The main function of this device is to remove the salts from the water, leaving it pure, without any dissolved substance. Its use is frequent in laboratories, in the manufacture of medicines and in car batteries. In addition, some researchers also advocate their ingestion.
THE deionized water is the one submitted to processes for the removal of ions and is used in research laboratories, in the pharmaceutical, electronics and food industries, among others. It is noteworthy that, despite not having ionic substances, this type of water has molecular substances.
There are still the contaminated and polluted water, two types that emerged as a result of the lack of awareness about the preservation of this important natural resource. THE polluted water it is one that presents changes in its physical and chemical characteristics, which alter, for example, its color, odor and flavor. already the contaminated water is one that has substances and organisms capable of transmitting diseases. These waters should not be consumed as they can put human health at risk.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos