What type of contaminants do rapid sand filters primarily target for removal?

Rapid sand filters are specifically designed to remove suspended solids from water. The process relies on a bed of sand, where water flows through and the sand captures and retains particles, including dirt, silt, and other suspended materials. These filters are effective in reducing turbidity, which is a measure of the cloudiness of the water caused by large numbers of individual particles.

While other types of contaminants are also significant in water treatment, rapid sand filters do not primarily target organic compounds, inorganic salts, or microbial contaminants. Organic compounds generally require advanced treatment methods such as activated carbon filters or chemical treatments. Inorganic salts are typically addressed through ion exchange or reverse osmosis techniques. Microbial contaminants, including bacteria and viruses, are more effectively managed through disinfection processes such as chlorination or ultraviolet light treatments rather than through rapid sand filtration, which does not specifically eliminate these pathogens.

Therefore, the primary focus of rapid sand filters on suspended solids makes this the correct choice regarding the type of contaminants they target for removal.