What happens to super-saturated oxygen in a dissolved-air flotation basin when pressure is released?

When pressure is released in a dissolved-air flotation basin, super-saturated oxygen is suddenly allowed to escape into a less pressurized environment. The correct answer reflects that this process leads to the formation of micro-bubbles. As the pressure drops, the dissolved oxygen comes out of saturation and forms tiny bubbles that attach to particulate matter in the water. This phenomenon is critical in the flotation process because the attached bubbles increase the buoyancy of particles, allowing them to rise to the surface where they can be removed more easily.

The formation of micro-bubbles is fundamental to the effectiveness of dissolved-air flotation as a treatment method. By enhancing the separation of solids and liquids, these bubbles result in improved removal of suspended solids and other impurities from water.

In other contexts, the options present alternatives that do not accurately capture the outcome of pressure changes in a dissolved-air flotation system. For instance, while dissipating into the atmosphere could occur in a broader context of free oxygen – it does not accurately explain the mechanics within the flotation basin. Temperature changes and sediment formation are also not the primary reactions associated with the sudden release of pressure affecting dissolved gases in this specific scenario.