Dechloruration (/diːˌklɔːrjʊˈreɪʃən/) is the process of removing chlorine from a substance, usually water. The word is spelled phonetically, with each syllable pronounced as "dee-klor-yoo-ray-shun". The prefix "de-" means "to remove", "chlor" refers to the chemical element chlorine, and "-ation" indicates a process or action. The correct spelling of this word is important in technical fields where precision and clarity are necessary, such as in water treatment plants and scientific research involving water purification.
Dechloruration refers to the process of removing or reducing the concentration of chlorine compounds in a substance or environment. Chlorine is a highly reactive chemical element commonly used for disinfection purposes due to its strong oxidizing and bactericidal properties. However, excessive chlorine levels can have negative effects on the quality and safety of water, air, or other liquids and gases.
In the context of water treatment, dechloruration involves the elimination or neutralization of chlorine compounds to render water suitable for various purposes, such as drinking, irrigation, or industrial use. This can be achieved through different methods, including chemical treatment, filtration, or the use of activated carbon. Dechlorination aims to minimize the potential harm caused by chlorine, such as taste and odor issues, skin and eye irritation, and the formation of disinfection byproducts.
In broader applications, dechloruration may also be relevant in the purification of air or gas streams. In such cases, techniques like adsorption, catalytic conversion, or chemical scrubbing can be employed to remove chlorine compounds from the environment. This helps to ensure clean and safe air quality for both human health and various industrial processes.
Overall, dechloruration encompasses a range of processes and techniques used to mitigate the potentially harmful effects of chlorine compounds by reducing their concentration or eliminating them altogether from a substance or environment.
Dechloridation.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "dechloruration" is derived from combining the prefix "de-" (meaning "do the opposite of" or "remove") with the word "chloruration".
"Chloruration" itself is a combination of the root word "chlor-" (derived from the Greek word "khloros", meaning "pale green" or "yellowish-green") and the suffix "-ation" (which forms a noun from a verb).
Therefore, "dechloruration" can be understood to mean the process of removing or reversing the chlorination of something.