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What is the role of filtration in water treatment?
To remove dissolved chemicals
To decrease temperature
To eliminate solid particles
To add nutrients
The correct answer is: To eliminate solid particles
Filtration in water treatment plays a crucial role in the removal of solid particles, which is essential for ensuring the quality and safety of drinking water. During the filtration process, water passes through various layers of material, such as sand, gravel, or specialized membranes, that physically trap and separate suspended solids and sediments from the water. This helps to reduce turbidity, which can harbor pathogens and contribute to poor water quality. Removing solid particles not only improves the aesthetic qualities of water, such as clarity and odor, but also protects downstream water treatment processes and infrastructure from clogging and damage. Effective filtration is a vital step in the overall water treatment process, setting the foundation for subsequent treatments like disinfection. Other options, such as removing dissolved chemicals or adding nutrients, involve different treatment methods and do not directly relate to the primary function of filtration.