Which process uses membranes as a filtration method to improve water quality?

Reverse osmosis is a process that utilizes semi-permeable membranes to remove impurities from water, thereby significantly improving its quality. In reverse osmosis, water is forced through a membrane with very small pores, allowing only water molecules to pass through while effectively blocking larger molecules and contaminants, such as salts, heavy metals, and other soluble substances.

This method is particularly effective for desalination, where salt water is converted into fresh water, and for purifying drinking water by removing harmful substances. The use of membranes in reverse osmosis distinguishes it from other water treatment processes, which typically involve physical or chemical methods without the application of membrane technology. This specificity is crucial for understanding how reverse osmosis stands out in water quality improvement efforts in comparison to coagulation, granular filtration, and chlorination, which either rely on chemical reactions or physical trapping of particles rather than selective membrane filtration.