Advanced Oxidation is primarily used for which purpose in water treatment?

Advanced Oxidation processes (AOPs) are specifically designed to enhance the degradation of organic contaminants in water. These processes utilize powerful oxidizing agents such as hydroxyl radicals, which are highly reactive and can effectively break down complex organic molecules that are difficult to remove through conventional treatment methods. AOPs are particularly valuable for treating wastewater with a high concentration of persistent organic pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals.

The efficiency of AOPs in removing organic contaminants is largely due to their ability to generate extremely reactive radicals that can oxidize a wide range of organic substances, leading to their mineralization into simpler compounds, ultimately resulting in less harmful end products that can then be processed further in conventional treatment systems.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of water treatment. For example, filtration of solid particles is typically achieved through mechanical means and does not involve oxidative processes. Disinfection of pathogens generally relies on methods such as chlorination or UV treatment rather than advanced oxidation techniques. Nutrient addition is used to enhance biological treatment processes but does not align with the primary function of advanced oxidation, which focuses on pollutant removal rather than nutrient enhancement.