Final answer:
Chemical waste must undergo neutralization to prevent environmental harm, involving processes like adding strong acids. Sedimentation is part of the primary treatment in wastewater management, and disinfection usually follows, with chlorine being neutralized after use. Solids processing includes safely repurposing or disposing of sludge.
Step-by-step explanation:
No chemical waste shall be discharged without neutralization. In chemistry, neutralization methods are applied to wastes to reduce their harmful effects upon release into the environment. The process ensures that the chemical waste, which should be unused and in the form of a commercial chemical product, is treated to meet environmental standards. For instance, adding a strong acid might be required to neutralize alkaline water before discharge.
Considering wastewater treatment, the process typically includes primary treatment where sedimentation occurs, allowing solids to settle and separate from the water. Subsequently, secondary treatment involves bacterial decomposition; and sometimes tertiary treatment is necessary, which can involve additional filtration.
To prevent chemical pollution from waste, especially pharmaceuticals, advanced wastewater treatment is crucial. This treatment aims to kill pathogenic microorganisms and remove various pollutants. It is also followed by disinfection, where chemicals like chlorine are added to kill remaining pathogens. When chlorine is used, it must be neutralized before the water is discharged to protect aquatic life.
Solids processing is another critical step where sludge from sedimentation tanks is digested and potentially repurposed as fertilizer, after safety testing.