Which process is used in the water industry primarily for the removal of organic substances?

Which process is used in the water industry primarily for the removal of organic substances?

• A. Adsorption
• B. Absorption
• C. Filtration
• D. Sedimentation

Answer: (A)

Adsorption is the process used to remove organic substances from water. It works by having dissolved organic molecules adhere to a solid surface, usually activated carbon, which provides a large area for these molecules to stick to. This effectively lowers color, taste and odor issues, and reduces precursors to disinfection byproducts. Absorption would mean the organics are taken into the interior of a material or into another phase, which isn’t how organics are removed here. Filtration targets suspended particles, not dissolved organics, and sedimentation removes settleable solids, not dissolved substances.

Adsorption is the process used to remove organic substances from water. It works by having dissolved organic molecules adhere to a solid surface, usually activated carbon, which provides a large area for these molecules to stick to. This effectively lowers color, taste and odor issues, and reduces precursors to disinfection byproducts. Absorption would mean the organics are taken into the interior of a material or into another phase, which isn’t how organics are removed here. Filtration targets suspended particles, not dissolved organics, and sedimentation removes settleable solids, not dissolved substances.