Coagulation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-005357",
  "term": "Coagulation",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. (co-AGG-yoo-LAY-shun) The clumping together of very fine particles into larger particles caused by the use of chemicals (coagulants). The chemicals neutralize the electrical charges of the fine particles and cause destabilization of the particles. This clumping together makes it easier to separate the solids from the water by settling, skimming, draining, or filtering.\n\n2. Clumping of particles in wastewater to settle out impurities, often induced by chemicals such as lime, alum, and iron salts.\n\n3. A joining together of particles that settle out in waste water. Lime, alum, and iron salts induce the clumping of particles.\n\n4. Process using coagulant chemicals and mixing by which colloidal and suspended materials are destabilized and agglomerated into flocs.",
  "subject": "Air",
  "references": [
    "Drinking Water Technical & Legal Terms",
    "Terms of Environment",
    "I-BEAM Glossary of Terms",
    "40 CFR 141.2 (CFR 2018)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/coagulation/"
}