Florida Drinking Water Operator "B" Practice Test

Activated alumina is particularly effective at removing which contaminant?

1. Nitrate

2. Chlorine

3. Arsenic

4. Lead

The correct answer is: Arsenic

Activated alumina is particularly effective at removing arsenic from drinking water. This material works through a process of adsorption, where contaminants are attracted to and held on the surface of the activated alumina particles. Arsenic in its various forms, including arsenate and arsenite, can be effectively captured by activated alumina due to its porous structure and high surface area. The efficiency of activated alumina in removing arsenic is largely attributed to the chemical affinity between the alumina and arsenic compounds. This makes it a preferred choice in water treatment systems specifically designed to reduce arsenic levels, thereby addressing health concerns associated with prolonged exposure to arsenic in drinking water. In contrast, other contaminants like nitrate, chlorine, and lead do not have the same level of affinity for activated alumina. Nitrate is typically removed through ion exchange or biological processes, chlorine is usually removed through chemical reactions or adsorption on activated carbon, and lead can be effectively removed through reverse osmosis or specific types of ion exchange that target lead ions specifically. Thus, the unique properties of activated alumina make it particularly suitable for arsenic removal in water treatment applications.