Desert Plants Convert Air Moisture Through Salt Chemistry
Athel tamarisk plants, masters of desert survival, use an ingenious system to pull water from thin air. Scientists discovered in October 2024 that these plants excrete salt crystals onto their leaves, creating a sophisticated moisture-harvesting network. The mixture contains ten different components, including lithium sulfate, which can collect water even in low humidity. This finding could transform water collection in arid regions and improve cloud-seeding technology for drought-stricken areas.