Chlorination is the process of adding chlorine to water or other substances for disinfection purposes. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /klɔːrɪneɪʃən/, which indicates the pronunciation of each syllable. The "chlo" syllable is pronounced with a "k" sound followed by a long "o" sound. The "ri" syllable is pronounced with a long "i" sound, while the "na" syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound. The final "tion" syllable is pronounced with a "shun" sound, as in the word "action".
Chlorination is a chemical process that involves the addition or application of chlorine or chlorine compounds to something, typically a liquid or a substance, in order to disinfect, sanitize, or purify it. It is commonly used in water treatment processes to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that may be present in the water.
In water chlorination, chlorine is added to water systems, swimming pools, or other water sources to effectively destroy harmful pathogens and prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. The chlorination process typically involves the conversion of chlorine gas or chlorine compounds, such as sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite, into hypochlorous acid, which acts as a powerful oxidizing agent capable of killing various organisms.
Chlorination is also utilized in the purification or treatment of industrial wastewater, swimming pool water, and drinking water supplies. It can effectively oxidize and eliminate organic matter, neutralize or remove color, control odors, and improve water clarity.
However, it is important to note that while chlorination is an effective method in water treatment, excessive or improper use of chlorine can have adverse effects. These include the formation of disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes, which are potentially harmful to human health. Therefore, chlorine levels need to be carefully monitored and maintained within safe and regulated limits during the chlorination process.
The word "chlorination" is derived from the root word "chlorine", which comes from the Greek word "khlōros" meaning "pale green, greenish-yellow".
In ancient times, the color of chlorine gas was described as pale green. The suffix "-ation" is used in English to indicate the process or action of something. Therefore, "chlorination" refers to the process or action of using or introducing chlorine into something, typically water disinfection or treatment.