Massachusetts Wastewater Practice Exam

What is the primary use of air stripping in wastewater treatment?

1. Dissolved solids

2. Organic solids

3. Volatile organic chemicals

4. Suspended solids

The correct answer is: Volatile organic chemicals

Air stripping is primarily used in wastewater treatment to remove volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) from water. This process involves bringing the contaminated water into contact with a stream of air, which allows the VOCs to transfer from the water into the air. The efficiency of this method is particularly beneficial for treating groundwater that may be contaminated with substances that have significant volatility. VOCs tend to have low water solubility and high vapor pressure, making them suitable candidates for air stripping. When air is introduced into the wastewater, it causes the contaminants to evaporate, thereby effectively reducing their concentration in the water. This method is widely utilized for treating industrial waste streams and groundwater, particularly in scenarios where specific organic compounds must be removed to meet regulatory requirements or to ensure safe disposal or reuse of the water. The other options represent different types of solids or contaminants that air stripping is not specifically designed to address. Dissolved solids and suspended solids involve different mechanisms of removal, such as filtration or sedimentation, while organic solids may require biological treatment methods rather than a volatilization process like air stripping.