The current, inefficient method of desalinating water is known as distillation. Distillation is a process in which water is evaporated, caught, and then cooled off, the final product being desalinated water. While it does work, it also removes important minerals, and then leaches those minerals out of the body when consumed.[4]
Scientists in South Korea conducted an experiment, examining the Rhizophora Stylosa's (a type of mangrove) desalination capacity and comparing it to an experimental mimic filter based on polyethylene terephthalate. They found that the actual plant filtered 62% of the salt, while the mechanical filter filtered 95% of the salt in the fluid. Both desalination processes are based on zeta potential.
The root of a mangrove has an extremely negative zeta potential that repels chlorine ions. Positively charged salt ions are attracted to the surface of the root due to the attraction of opposite charges. They then collect on the surface of the root. Excess salt is then excreted through glands in leaves. Similarly, the filter uses zeta potentials to create an ion-depleted layer where ions are repelled.