What is the primary purpose of aeration in water treatment?

The primary purpose of aeration in water treatment is to remove dissolved gases, particularly carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds. When water is aerated, it is exposed to air, which facilitates the exchange of gases. This process can significantly reduce the levels of harmful gases in the water, improving its quality for further treatment and ensuring it is safer for consumption.

While options suggesting increasing sedimentation and adding coagulants relate to processes that occur later in the treatment sequence, they do not directly pertain to the core function of aeration. Additionally, cooling the water might be a beneficial effect under certain circumstances, but it is not the main reason for implementing aeration in treatment practices. The focus of aeration is primarily centered around the removal of unwanted gases to enhance water quality.