True or False: Free available residual chlorine has the highest disinfection ability?

Free available residual chlorine is recognized for its strong disinfection capabilities in water treatment processes. This is primarily because free chlorine exists as hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ion (OCl−) in water, both of which are effective at eliminating harmful microorganisms. Hypochlorous acid, in particular, is the more potent of the two forms because it can penetrate cell walls more easily and disrupt vital cellular functions, leading to microbial inactivation.

The effectiveness of chlorine as a disinfectant depends on several factors, including concentration, pH, and contact time. However, when referring specifically to free available residual chlorine, it is understood to be the most effective form of chlorine for disinfection purposes, surpassing chloramines or other forms of chlorine that may be present in treated water.

In conclusion, the statement regarding free available residual chlorine having the highest disinfection ability is true due to its strong capacity to deactivate pathogens efficiently in various water treatment scenarios.