Massachusetts Wastewater Practice Exam 2025 - Free Wastewater Practice Questions and Study Guide.

Using acid to clean up oily wastewater spills primarily relies on the principle of emulsification. When an acid is introduced to an oily substance, it helps break down the oil into smaller droplets, which can then be suspended in water. This forms an emulsion, where tiny particles of oil are dispersed throughout the aqueous phase.

Emulsification is particularly useful for wastewater treatment because it increases the surface area of the oil, allowing for better interaction with other treatment chemicals and processes aimed at removing or degrading the pollutants. Once emulsification has occurred, additional methods, such as the addition of surfactants or biological treatment, can be used to further process the emulsified oil, ultimately leading to its removal from the water.

While neutralization and oxidation can play roles in other types of chemical treatments, they are not the primary functions of acids in the context of oily wastewater spills. Similarly, while some solvents might dissolve oils, acids themselves do not typically dissolve oils directly; rather, they facilitate the emulsification that allows for more effective treatment processes.