What is a common method used to treat wastewater?

Aerobic treatment processes are commonly employed in wastewater treatment because they utilize microorganisms to degrade organic materials in the presence of oxygen. This method is highly efficient for treating wastewater as it breaks down pollutants to less harmful forms, often returning treated water that can be safely discharged or reused. This process typically occurs in aeration tanks where air is introduced to foster the growth of aerobic bacteria, effectively reducing biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids in the wastewater.

The other methods listed, while relevant in certain contexts, do not serve as the primary treatment strategy for wastewater. Chemical disinfection, for example, is often used as a final step after primary and secondary treatments to eliminate pathogenic organisms but does not address the organic load on its own. Incineration relates to solid waste management, not wastewater treatment, as it involves burning waste material rather than treating liquid effluents. Sorption may be used to remove particular contaminants from wastewater but is not a standalone treatment method for the overall process of wastewater management.