Detritus is best described as heavy coarse grit in wastewater. Which option reflects that description?

• A. Fine organic matter
• B. Dissolved salts
• C. Suspended biological solids
• D. Heavy coarse grit in wastewater

Answer: (D)

Detritus in wastewater refers to non-dissolved solid material that is heavier and coarser, such as grit and sand. The description “heavy coarse grit” is the exact type of material detritus represents, which is the large, dense solids that settle quickly in grit chambers. This contrasts with dissolved salts (which aren’t solids) and with finer or living solids (organic matter or suspended biological solids) that aren’t the heavy, coarse grit detritus implies. So the description that best matches detritus is the heavy coarse grit in wastewater.