Solar Water Disinfection and Sterilization
Solar water disinfection (also referred to as SODIS) is a method of disinfecting and sterilizing water using only direct sunlight and plastic PET bottles. SODIS is an effective method of decentralized water treatment, usually conducted at the household level. It is recommended by the World Health Organization as a viable method for household water treatment and safe storage.
In addition to use in developing nations where clean drinking water is hard to come by, SODIS can be used in survival situations. On average 6 hours of direct sunlight is needed to effectively sterilize water.
Sunlight exposure has been shown to deactivate diarrhea-causing microorganisms in polluted drinking water. The benefits of solar radiation include:
UV-A interferes directly with the metabolism and destroys cell structures of bacteria.
UV-A (wavelength 320-400 nm) reacts with oxygen dissolved in the water and produces highly reactive forms of oxygen (oxygen free radicals and hydrogen peroxides), that are believed to also damage pathogens.
Cumulative solar energy (including the infrared radiation component) heats the water. If the water temperatures rises above 50°C, the disinfection process is three times faster.
At a water temperature of about 30°C (86°F), about 5 hours of exposure is required for SODIS to be efficient. As water temperatures rise above 45°C (113°F), the synergistic effects of UV radiation and temperature further enhance the disinfection process.
At lower temperatures or during periods of over cast weather, 2-3 days may be required to properly disinfect water.
If the water is highly turbid (contains particles that are not dilluted), it should be filtered before SODIS is used. In a survival situation, filtration could be done through a t-shirt or other material.
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Page last updated: Jun 23 2011
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COMMENTS
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NocturnalMistress
06:37 Jun 23 2011
That's awesome. Purifying water using direct sunligh is a convenient way for third world countries to receive and get clean water.
Lerajie
06:41 Jun 23 2011
very interesting.
MasterMel2
07:05 Jun 23 2011
Fantastic and efficient
Otium
07:12 Jun 23 2011
Greatly informative
skyrah
08:44 Jun 23 2011
great information.
xRobin3x
10:01 Jun 23 2011
Always up to learn the different ways to clean water.
VB
13:02 Jun 23 2011
Very good information. Thank you.
Sulks
13:55 Jun 23 2011
Interesting to see that sunlight, which in Third World countries can cause severe food shortages, can actually be beneficial in some ways. Great info.
xTIAMATx
14:31 Jun 23 2011
Very Interesting
monk
14:35 Jun 23 2011
Wow, Suns ray has lots of energy hmmmm.
imagesinwords
15:51 Jun 23 2011
Outstanding information to share.
Aja
17:52 Jun 23 2011
Interesting.
LustsIncarnate22
18:50 Jun 23 2011
very cool :)
xdark666angelx
20:38 Jun 23 2011
you would think that the water would evaporate but it doesnt
Cancer
21:27 Jun 23 2011
It would if you didn't put the cap on.
Bones
22:24 Jun 23 2011
This actually works well. It can also be accomplished with a zip lock bag, which is a good item to have in a survival kit, since it can be stored more compactly.
MOONLITDREAM
00:04 Jun 24 2011
Interesting read
Eloquent
04:15 Jun 24 2011
That's amazing. o.O
Morrigon
16:43 Jul 09 2011
Morrigon
16:43 Jul 09 2011
Son of a bitch. Images should be allowed as comments.
NataviaLeigh
14:20 Aug 25 2011
Awesome info ty :}}}