flocculation

/ flŏk′yə-lā′shən /

1. The process by which individual particles of clay aggregate into clotlike masses or precipitate into small lumps. Flocculation occurs as a result of a chemical reaction between the clay particles and another substance, usually salt water.

Example Sentences

The sprayed clay technique, called flocculation, was most recently used by Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory in 2018 to combat saltwater red tide, which is also caused by a toxin-producing microorganism.

From Washington Times

At the Fort Peck water treatment plant, Missouri River water goes through a multi-step process including chemical treatment, coagulation, flocculation, maturation, sedimentation, clarification and disinfection.

From The Guardian

The proteins are also responsible for flocculation, the process by which yeast cells clump together in a beer and fall out of solution.

From Nature

Harvesting typically involves separation of the algae by sedimentation or flocculation, followed by filtration or centrifugation to remove the unwanted water.

From Nature

As it is the fine clay-particles that are the chief cause of the puddling of clay soils, their flocculation does much to destroy this objectionable property.

From Project Gutenberg