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How does temperature affect disinfection efficiency in wastewater treatment?

  1. Higher temperature reduces disinfection

  2. Temperature has no effect on disinfection

  3. Lower temperature improves disinfection

  4. Higher temperature improves disinfection

The correct answer is: Higher temperature improves disinfection

Temperature plays a significant role in the efficiency of disinfection processes in wastewater treatment. As the temperature increases, the kinetic energy of the microorganisms rises, leading to more effective interactions between disinfectants and pathogens. Higher temperatures can enhance the activity of certain disinfectants, such as chlorine or ozone, making them more efficient at inactivating harmful microorganisms. Moreover, elevated temperatures can lead to a reduction in the time required for disinfection, allowing for faster treatment processes overall. This is particularly crucial in settings that need rapid turnover of treated effluent. Therefore, under typical conditions, higher temperatures significantly improve the disinfection efficacy, making this choice the most accurate representation of the relationship between temperature and disinfection in wastewater treatment.