Activated carbon is primarily used for which of the following?

Activated carbon is primarily used for taste and odor removal in water treatment processes. Its high surface area and porous structure allow it to effectively adsorb organic compounds, chlorine, chloramines, and other substances that can negatively impact the taste and smell of drinking water. This capacity to attract and hold onto various chemicals makes activated carbon a popular choice in both municipal water treatment facilities and point-of-use systems like home filters.

While disinfection, water softening, and filtration of solids are essential processes in water treatment, they are not the primary functions of activated carbon. Disinfection typically involves the use of chemicals or physical methods such as chlorine, ozone, or ultraviolet light to kill pathogens. Water softening is primarily achieved through ion exchange processes that replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or potassium ions. Filtration of solids often requires mechanical filters that capture particulates based on size and does not specifically utilize activated carbon for this purpose. Thus, the unique role of activated carbon in improving taste and odor is what distinguishes its function in water treatment.