Which of the following is an example of a physical treatment method for hazardous waste?

Filtration is a classic example of a physical treatment method for hazardous waste. This process involves the separation of solid materials from liquids or gases based on size, shape, or other physical properties. In hazardous waste management, filtration can be used to remove suspended particles from wastewater or to isolate solid waste components.

This method relies solely on physical forces, such as gravity or pressure, and does not involve any chemical reactions or biological processes. Techniques like filtration can effectively reduce the volume and toxicity of hazardous waste by separating contaminants from non-contaminated materials, thereby making further treatment or disposal easier and safer.

The other methods listed involve different processes. For example, biodegradation refers to the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, which is a biological method. Stabilization often involves chemical processes to reduce leachability or toxicity. Neutralization is a chemical method that aims to adjust the pH of hazardous wastes to render them less harmful. This highlights the distinction that filtration, being purely physical, does not engage with chemical or biological treatments.