What role does activated carbon play in water treatment processes?

What role does activated carbon play in water treatment processes?

• A. It filters out large particles
• B. It adsorbs organic compounds and chlorine
• C. It sterilizes the water
• D. It adds nutrients to the water

Answer: (B)

Activated carbon is widely utilized in water treatment due to its exceptional ability to adsorb organic compounds and chlorine. The process of adsorption involves the binding of contaminants onto the surface of the activated carbon, which has a highly porous structure that provides a large surface area for effective interaction with pollutants. This characteristic allows activated carbon to remove a wide range of organic substances, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, and other carbon-based contaminants, as well as chlorine, which can affect taste and odor in drinking water. The use of activated carbon does not primarily focus on the removal of large particles or the sterilization of water, as its main strength lies in enhancing water quality by eliminating specific contaminants rather than just providing physical filtration or disinfection. Additionally, activated carbon does not add nutrients to the water; its role is purely to capture and remove unwanted materials.

Activated carbon is widely utilized in water treatment due to its exceptional ability to adsorb organic compounds and chlorine. The process of adsorption involves the binding of contaminants onto the surface of the activated carbon, which has a highly porous structure that provides a large surface area for effective interaction with pollutants. This characteristic allows activated carbon to remove a wide range of organic substances, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, and other carbon-based contaminants, as well as chlorine, which can affect taste and odor in drinking water.

The use of activated carbon does not primarily focus on the removal of large particles or the sterilization of water, as its main strength lies in enhancing water quality by eliminating specific contaminants rather than just providing physical filtration or disinfection. Additionally, activated carbon does not add nutrients to the water; its role is purely to capture and remove unwanted materials.