The Fascinating Science of Heavy Water

In one science fiction novel, a scenario unfolds where humans discover a way to reduce the volume of water on Earth to melt the ice caps of Antarctica. They created a plastic substance from water, which they then dissolved… back into water.

They say that a fairy tale is a lie, but it contains a hint of truth… And how fantastical does it really seem to dissolve water in water when something similar can be observed under ordinary conditions?

It seemed that our understanding of water was complete. Yet, scientists have discovered the presence of an isotope of hydrogen in water, which they named heavy water. True, it exists in relatively small quantities—one part for every 6,250 parts of regular tap water. In other words, heavy water makes up just 0.02 percent of the weight of each drop. However, if collected from around the globe, heavy water could fill a body of water the size of the Black Sea!

Among the many remarkable properties of this water is its exceptionally high hygroscopicity: heavy water eagerly absorbs regular water.

It’s still difficult to say how humans might harness this unique characteristic. However, it’s quite possible that in time, it will serve a significant purpose.