Why Do People Die From Drinking Salt Water at Sea?

People die from drinking salt water at sea because the high salt content eventually results in dehydrating their bodies rather than replenishing the fluid in them, according to LennTech.com.

Osmosis

Salt draws water out of cells by osmosis, a process in which a solvent moves from an area where a solution is more dilute to an area where a solution is more concentrated, according to Chemicool.com. In this case, the fluid inside a cell is less concentrated compared to seawater, so water moves out.

Survival Time Without Water

A human being can survive about three days without water, longer if temperatures are normal and conditions are not extreme, according to NetDoctor . Someone who is exposed to the elements and drinking seawater will become dehydrated more quickly.

Desalination

Desalination, which removes salt from seawater, is required to make that water drinkable, according to LennTech. Desalination requires several steps, including purification of the water and the preparation of special membranes pretreatment. Desalination plants are built in areas that have shortages of fresh water.

References

• Lenntech: Why should we not drink seawater?
• Lenntech: Key issues in desalination
• NetDoctor: The water myth
• Chemicool: Definition of Osmosis