Organic matter in water includes which group?

Organic matter in water includes which group?

• A. Bacteria only
• B. Plants, animals, and humans
• C. Minerals and metals
• D. Dissolved gases

Answer: (B)

Organic matter in water is carbon-containing material that comes from living or once-living sources. In most water, the major contributors are plant debris, animal waste and by-products, and human waste through runoff or wastewater. That broad grouping—plants, animals, and humans—captures the common sources of organic material that affect water quality and treatment needs. The other options are not as representative: minerals and metals and dissolved gases are inorganic, and limiting organic matter to bacteria is too narrow to reflect the typical components found in water.

Organic matter in water is carbon-containing material that comes from living or once-living sources. In most water, the major contributors are plant debris, animal waste and by-products, and human waste through runoff or wastewater. That broad grouping—plants, animals, and humans—captures the common sources of organic material that affect water quality and treatment needs. The other options are not as representative: minerals and metals and dissolved gases are inorganic, and limiting organic matter to bacteria is too narrow to reflect the typical components found in water.