Can dissolved solids be removed by filtration?

Can dissolved solids be removed by filtration?

• A. Sometimes
• B. No
• C. Yes
• D. Only with chemical treatment

Answer: (B)

Filtration removes particles by trapping them in a barrier, but dissolved solids are ions and molecules held in solution. Because they’re not present as separate particles, they pass through the filter media. Filtration can remove turbidity and some very fine colloids, but it doesn’t remove dissolved solids by itself. To remove dissolved solids, you’d use processes like reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or distillation (or chemical precipitation followed by appropriate treatment). That’s why the correct answer is No.

Filtration removes particles by trapping them in a barrier, but dissolved solids are ions and molecules held in solution. Because they’re not present as separate particles, they pass through the filter media. Filtration can remove turbidity and some very fine colloids, but it doesn’t remove dissolved solids by itself. To remove dissolved solids, you’d use processes like reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or distillation (or chemical precipitation followed by appropriate treatment). That’s why the correct answer is No.