Which component is typically removed through reverse osmosis?

Reverse osmosis is a water purification process that employs a semipermeable membrane to remove various impurities from water. This method is particularly effective in eliminating ions and larger particles, which are significantly reduced as water is forced through the membrane.

The semipermeable membrane allows water molecules to pass while blocking larger molecules and ions, such as salts, heavy metals, and other contaminants. This characteristic makes reverse osmosis a powerful tool for achieving high levels of water purity, which is especially important in applications requiring very low levels of total dissolved solids (TDS).

The other options consist of substances that may not be effectively removed by reverse osmosis alone. For instance, chlorine is often removed during pre-treatment processes, rather than the reverse osmosis stage, and certain additives may not be targeted by the reverse osmosis process, which is designed primarily to tackle dissolved solids rather than specific chemical additives or gases. While minerals can also be filtered out, the term "ions and larger particles" captures the broader range of contaminants commonly addressed by reverse osmosis, emphasizing its utility in water purification.