Revista de Investigaciones Altoandinas - Journal of High Andean Research

Vol. 28 (2026): Publicación continua
Review article

Desalination Technologies in the Face of Water Scarcity: Efficiency, Sustainability, and Environmental Consequences

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Edison Rodrigo Castillo
Posgrado, Universidad Politécnica Estatal del Carchi, Tulca, Carchi, Ecuador
Jiovanna Eulalia Rosero Bolaños
Ministerio de Educación del Ecuador, Unidad Educativa San Pedro Pascual, Ibarra, Imbabura, Ecuador
Natalia Masabanda Paucar
National Polytechnic School, Ingenieria Quimica, Departamento de Ciencias Nucleares, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
Maritza D Ruiz Medina
Universidad Politécnica Estatal del Carchi, FIACA, Carrera de Alimentos, Tulcán, Carchi, Ecuador
Elizabeth Velasco Vazquez
University of the Armed Forces (ESPE), Departamento de Ciencias Exactas, Sangolquí, Pichincha, Ecuador
Marcela Vilañez-Obando
Universidad Técnica del Norte, Ibarra, Ecuador
Pamela Rodriguez Huera
Universidad Politécnica Estatal del Carchi, FIACA, Carrera de Medicina Veterinaria, Tulcán, Carchi, Ecuador

Published 2026-09-03

Keywords

  • desalination,
  • membrane technologies,
  • environmental impact,
  • drinking water,
  • brine

Copyright (c) 2026 Edison Rodrigo Castillo Imbaquingo, Jiovanna Eulalia Rosero Bolaños, Natalia Masabanda Paucar , Maritza D Ruiz Medina, Elizabeth Velasco Vazquez, Marcela Vilañez-Obando, Pamela Rodriguez Huera

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Castillo, E. R., Rosero Bolaños, J. E., Masabanda Paucar, N., Ruiz Medina, M. D., Velasco Vazquez, E., Vilañez-Obando, M., & Rodriguez Huera, P. (2026). Desalination Technologies in the Face of Water Scarcity: Efficiency, Sustainability, and Environmental Consequences. Revista De Investigaciones Altoandinas - Journal of High Andean Research, 28, e28736. https://doi.org/10.18271/ria.2026.736

Abstract

The growing scarcity of freshwater, exacerbated by climate change and population growth, has driven the development and implementation of more efficient and sustainable desalination technologies. This study presents a systematic review of the main processes used to desalinate saltwater, including reverse osmosis, multistage distillation, electrodialysis, and nanofiltration. The technical principles of each method are described, along with their comparative advantages, energy requirements, operational limitations, and associated costs. Additionally, the environmental impacts—particularly brine generation and disposal—are analyzed, as well as current strategies to mitigate these effects. The article contextualizes the global application of these technologies, highlighting regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America, where the demand for desalinated water has significantly increased. Emerging solutions that integrate renewable energy sources—such as solar, wind, and geothermal—are also explored, aiming to reduce the energy footprint and enhance economic feasibility. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of desalination, its ecological implications, and the innovative prospects that position it as a strategic alternative to ensure water access in increasingly water-stressed scenarios.

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