Which of the following correctly describes a property of chloramine?

Chloramine is recognized for being more stable than free chlorine, which is a key property that enhances its effectiveness in water distribution systems. This stability allows chloramine to maintain its disinfecting properties over a longer period, making it particularly useful for reducing microbial contaminants in water as it travels through long pipelines. Its lingering presence helps to protect water quality from bacterial regrowth during storage and distribution.

In contrast to chloramine, free chlorine can dissipate more rapidly, particularly when exposed to sunlight, heat, or organic materials, which can result in diminished disinfection effectiveness over time. This stability aspect is critical for maintaining water quality standards, especially in larger distribution systems.

The other options, while addressing certain properties or effects of disinfectants in general, do not accurately describe chloramine. For instance, chloramine is generally less toxic to aquatic life than free chlorine, and while it can be corrosive, it is typically less so compared to chlorine, making it a preferred choice in many water treatment scenarios. Additionally, chloramine does not produce more trihalomethanes (THMs) than chlorine; in many cases, it reduces the formation of these byproducts associated with chlorine.