What is the role of activated carbon in water treatment?

Activated carbon plays a crucial role in water treatment primarily due to its ability to adsorb a wide variety of organic compounds and chlorine. This adsorption process occurs because activated carbon has a vast surface area and a porous structure, which allow it to trap impurities as water flows through. The effectiveness of activated carbon in removing these substances is particularly significant when it comes to improving water quality, taste, and odor. By eliminating organic compounds and chlorine, activated carbon helps ensure that the treated water is safer for consumption and healthier for the environment.

The other options represent different processes or components involved in water treatment but do not accurately capture the primary function of activated carbon. For instance, filtering out large sediments is typically handled by mechanical filters, while softening hard water involves ion exchange processes, not adsorption. Stabilizing water temperature is unrelated to the chemical or physical removal of contaminants, which is the main focus of activated carbon treatment.