Which statement describes secondary treatment of sewage?

Study for the Dual Enrollment Environmental Science Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and detailed explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which statement describes secondary treatment of sewage?

Explanation:
Secondary treatment focuses on breaking down remaining organic matter with microbes using oxygen. In this stage, bacteria oxidize dissolved and suspended organics, typically in processes like activated sludge or biofilm systems, which reduces the amount of organic pollution and lowers the biochemical oxygen demand of the effluent. This biological oxidation by bacteria using oxygen is the defining feature of secondary treatment. By contrast, solid removal through physical filtration happens earlier, chemical coagulation targets colloids with chemicals rather than biology, and disinfection by chlorine is a later step meant to kill pathogens rather than oxidize organic matter.

Secondary treatment focuses on breaking down remaining organic matter with microbes using oxygen. In this stage, bacteria oxidize dissolved and suspended organics, typically in processes like activated sludge or biofilm systems, which reduces the amount of organic pollution and lowers the biochemical oxygen demand of the effluent. This biological oxidation by bacteria using oxygen is the defining feature of secondary treatment. By contrast, solid removal through physical filtration happens earlier, chemical coagulation targets colloids with chemicals rather than biology, and disinfection by chlorine is a later step meant to kill pathogens rather than oxidize organic matter.

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