What characteristic of fine loamy sand allows for effective virus removal from water?

Fine loamy sand possesses strong adsorption properties, which play a crucial role in the effective removal of viruses from water. This characteristic allows the soil to bind or capture the viruses as water passes through, leading to a reduction in their concentration in the effluent. The interaction between the virus particles and the soil matrix facilitates this removal process, making adsorption a key mechanism in natural filtration systems.

While fine loamy sand does have a degree of permeability, which affects the flow rate of water through it, the primary factor in virus removal is the ability of the soil particles to adsorb contaminants. The small particle size can contribute to a larger surface area for adsorption; however, it is the specific strong adsorption properties that are most significant for effective virus removal. Nutrients, while beneficial for microbial growth, do not directly contribute to virus removal in this context.