Which of the following is an example of an inorganic contaminant?

Toxic metals are classified as inorganic contaminants because they are elements that do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds. Inorganic contaminants include materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic, which can originate from natural deposits or human activities such as mining and industrial processes. These metals can be harmful to human health and the environment and are often measured in water quality assessments.

In contrast, pesticides are organic chemical compounds designed to control pests or weeds, characterized by their carbon-based structures. Bacteria are biological organisms and thus classified as microbiological contaminants. Radiological sources encompass radioactive materials, which, while inorganic, refer to a specific category of contaminants involving radiation. However, toxic metals are much more widely recognized in the context of inorganic contamination in water treatment.