When it lands in oceans, the dust can provide essential nutrients for the growth of phytoplankton, sometimes creating algal blooms that can be seen from satellites. Phytoplankton are algae that sit at the bottom of the marine food chain. They do the same job as green plants on land by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Because the dust particles make the phytoplankton heavier, they then sink to the ocean floor faster.
This helps remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, as part of the biological carbon pump. Scientists are experimenting with artificial ocean fertilisation to increase the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Saharan dust also delivers vital phosphorus and other fertilisers to the depleted soils of the Amazon rainforest, as well as smaller quantities of these to some other regions. It would be interesting to see if the frequency and intensity of desert dust storms increase in a warmer world. Dust storms in the Sahara can lead to sandy deposits on cars and other surfaces. The same phenomenon happened to me a couple of years ago.
After a very big storm with south-westerly gales, our windows and cars were covered in a white residue.
I rubbed some onto my finger and licked it. It was salt. Although clean rainwater is safe to drink, it can easily become contaminated as it falls, which could pose a significant health hazard. Various factors can affect the safety of your rainwater, including how frequently it rains in your geographical area, the levels of air pollution, and methods and tools used to collect, treat, test, and store the water 2. Certain types of bacteria, viruses, or parasites can be eliminated by boiling the water , but others may require chemical treatment before the water is safe to drink 3.
To eliminate chemical contaminants like heavy metals, you may also need to use a water filtration system 4. Keep in mind that certain places have legal restrictions regarding the collection of rainwater. As such, if you plan on implementing a rainwater collection system, make sure the amount collected, as well as the collection method, are permissible in your area.
Contaminants, such as bacteria or heavy metals, may be removed from rainwater using various filtration and chemical treatment methods. However, neither the water you drink — nor the foods you eat — will significantly change the pH of your blood. Your body has an efficient system in place for keeping the pH of your blood at 7. Moreover, rainwater is typically not alkaline. Instead, it tends to be slightly acidic, with a pH of about 5. These are both characteristics of drinking clean water in general and not exclusive to rainwater 7.
Drinking rainwater has not been proven to be any more beneficial for your health than drinking other sources of clean drinking water. Although collecting rainwater seems like an easy way to obtain drinking water, it may not always be safe to consume. Environmental pollutants, harmful bacteria, and parasites can contaminate rainwater, and drinking it can make you sick. Boiling, filtering, and chemically treating rainwater can help make it safer for human consumption.
Rainwater has not been proven to be any more beneficial for your health than alternative clean water sources. Drinking plenty of clean water, regardless of the source, is a great way to stay hydrated and support your health. Here's what your tongue is tasting in water and what else affects water's flavor.
That simply means that you might have a clean and well-kept water harvesting system, but the collected water is acidic. In some cases, acidic rain may reach a pH of 2, although the most common is 4.
Whichever the case, the water is too acidic and cause serious health complications. That is one of the reasons why rainwater may not be clean and safe for drinking. When dust particles are picked by wind, they become part of the atmosphere. So, when the water vapour starts condensing, or it starts raining, it collects these particles. The dust and dirt particles could be carrying anything from germs to deadly contaminants such as heavy metals to diseases causing microorganisms.
Germs and bacteria are the most common microorganisms in the dust. Therefore, the water might appear clean but highly contaminated. That makes it not safe for direct human consumption. Therefore, you will need to have the water filtered or treated to remove the contaminants before drinking. That is why investing in a water filter is highly recommended. For the water to be clean and safe for drinking , it must be free of any form of foreign particles or contaminants. Smoke and pollen are some of the common foreign particles in rainwater.
If there are areas that are producing smoke such as factories or burning forests, then these particles will be captured and brought back to the ground by rainwater. Some of the smokes could be carrying harmful gases that can harm your health. Therefore, such water should be treated before drinking. Otherwise, you might end up consuming harmful chemicals. When the rain washes across the roof, it collects everything including germs, dust and chemicals attached to it.
Additionally, construction materials such as asbestos and asphalt, which are petroleum products, and metals such as lead and copper on the roof can also contaminate water. All these contaminants will find their way into your water storage.
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