Dive into the 2026 NY Wastewater Exam – Flush Away the Competition with Confidence!

The process that involves the removal of soluble components from an aqueous solution using adsorptive carbon is activated carbon adsorption. This method is widely used in wastewater treatment and water purification because activated carbon has a large surface area and porous structure, allowing it to effectively capture various organic compounds, contaminants, and impurities from the liquid.

Activated carbon works by a process called adsorption, where molecules of the solute adhere to the surface of the carbon particles. This interaction can effectively reduce concentrations of certain pollutants, including volatile organic compounds, taste and odor compounds, and some heavy metals, thereby improving water quality.

Other methods listed, such as filtration, reverse osmosis, and distillation, operate on different principles. Filtration physically separates particles from liquids but does not specifically target soluble components like activated carbon does. Reverse osmosis uses a semipermeable membrane to remove a wide range of contaminants, including dissolved salts and other impurities, and is a different mechanism from adsorption. Distillation involves heating a liquid to create vapor and then cooling it to produce a liquid, separating components based on differences in boiling points rather than adsorption characteristics. Thus, activated carbon adsorption uniquely addresses the removal of soluble components through its absorptive capabilities.