Problem 6.2: The chapter states that oxidation does not
From Chapter 6 Problem Set. Level 1: Conceptual Mastery.
Question
The chapter states that oxidation does not distinguish between biology and metallurgy. Explain what this means and why it creates a dilemma for water treatment.
Answer
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The same electrochemical force (electron theft) that destroys bacterial membranes, proteins, and DNA also strips electrons from metal lattices. An oxidizer added to kill biology will also corrode metal if the metal is exposed. This creates a fundamental tension: the oxidizer needed for biological control is the same force that drives corrosion.