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Using the high-speed motion acquisition system, we studied the settling process of the coal flocs under different addition interval time. The gray value and zeta potential of supernatant generally increased as the interval time increased, proving the effect of interval time on coal slime sedimentation. Furthermore, the interval time 25 s presented the smallest floc amount. The floc size and zeta potential were measured via the inverted fluorescence microscope and the micro electrophoresis, respectively. The interval time 25 s presented the fastest settling velocity. The floc amount in supernatant roughly decreased as the zeta potential increased. The settling velocity decreased with the settling time. The results can provide valuable insight into the development of technology for coal slime sedimentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying biofloc technology in the intensive and extensive culture of Clarias gariepinus can improve water quality and be used to feed fish. Aeration systems were a critical unit supporting biofloc and water quality. This study's objective was the assessment of various types of diffusers on the growth and water quality in a C. gariepinus culture. Two types of diffuser units were prepared for the experiment, there are air tube diffuser (AT) and air stone diffuser (AS). Growth parameters, water quality, and volume of biofloc were observed within 30 days. The survival rate, weight gain, average body weight, and specific growth rate of C. gariepinus were higher in the tanks that used air tubes (98%, 485.29 %, 7.52 g, 5.89%) than in the tanks that used air stones (92 %, 385.94 %, 5.98 g, 5.23%). The volume of biofloc ranges from 5.40-18.80 ml/L in AT tanks and 4.60-14.00 ml/L in AS tanks. There is no significant difference (p > 0.05) in water quality parameters and FCR value. However, using the air tube diffuser showed better results with the growth performance, survival rate, and formation of biofloc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pravnik is the property of Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of State & Law and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Flocculent settling widely exists in various processes of tailings disposal.It bears significance for the accurate calculation of the flocculent settling velocity in engineering, such as tailings backfilling and surface disposal.This paper studied the structural characteristics of tailings flocs from the perspective of the fractal theory, and established the mathematical relationship between tailings particle size, geometry size of floc and fractal dimension.It analyzed the influence of buoyancy effect, reflux effect and viscosity effect on floc settling, and deduced a calculation formula of tailings flocculent settling velocity.This study carried out a tailings flocculent settling test observed the changes in geometric morphology of flocs by focused beam reflectance measurement technology(FBRM), and carried out validation analysis between testing data and model calculation value.The results showed that the settling velocity increased with the equivalent grain size of flocs, which could be divided into three stages, namely accelerated settling, uniform settling and compaction settling.The equivalent grain size of flocs of test tailings were 140~350 μm, and the settling velocity calculated by the formula were 1.3~2.0 mm/s when the fractal dimension was 2.25, which demonstrates significant correlation with the testing value, and had certain practical application value.

YouTube, the world's most popular online video sharing and social media platform, is filled with personalities. Lifestyle bloggers, hobbyists, self-styled newscasters and exercise instructors add flair to what they share, carving out a niche in a crowded field. Typically, personality is understood as something that belongs to its bearer. But how might it be possible to analyze YouTube, starting from the opposite proposition: that the 'YouTube personality' is not so much a property of the persons featured, as it is a property of the platform itself? This article argues that on YouTube, personalities become estranged from their ostensible bearers, becoming platform infrastructure. YouTube not only broadcasts personalities; it renders personalities operational. YouTube personalities act as assetization infrastructure, in that they continually compensate for the poor terms offered on advertising revenue, producing links within ecosystems of opportunities that extend beyond the platform. They also act as cohortification infrastructures, transforming the platform's surveillance-marketing logic of cohortification – the continuous placement of users into cohorts of similar users – into a participatory process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with the treatment of oily wastewater produced from the washing of oil-contaminated soil. Untreated oily wastewater contains toxic compounds that might be mutagenic or carcinogenic as total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and heavy metals. Based on the water quality analysis, the tested samples contained a high concentration of TPH, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and turbidity with an average value of 67,500 mg/l, 48,240 mg/l and 176 (nephelometric turbidity unit, NTU), respectively. Several technologies were used, such as centrifuging, powdered activated carbon (PAC) and sawdust. The mean values of COD values for sawdust, centrifuging and PAC were 41,067, 25,600 and 13,133 mg/l, respectively. The present study indicated that the coagulation/flocculation processes were more efficient by using aluminium sulphate alum, while the preliminary conclusion derived was that the secondary treatment using an aeration system is capable of lowering the COD values as well as increasing the flocculent mass floc well equal to 4,784 mg/l and 0.69 g, respectively. The microbial seed was able to degrade the biosurfactant, which allows the stability of oil emulsion to be broken down and released easily. HIGHLIGHTS Centrifuging sawdust and PAC were carried out to treat oily wastewater.; The mean values of COD for sawdust, centrifuging and PAC were 41,067, 25,600 and 13,133 mg/L.; The combination of aeration with coagulation/flocculation enhanced the treatment process.; Microbial seed effect on the stability of oil emulsion by degrading saponin in wastewater.;

Pollutants related to water quality often exist in rivers and form clusters. These pollutants adversely affect river environments and ecosystems. In Korea, the public's interest in water quality has been increasing for decades. Many studies on water quality and pollutants in sewage treatment plants have been conducted; however, studies on the formation of flocs based on the flow characteristics of rivers are insufficient. In general, it is known that floc formation is influenced by hydraulic characteristics, such as velocity and turbulence, and that it combines them with contaminants in the river. However, studies that quantitatively analyze this topic are also insufficient. An analysis of floc formation between sediments must be conducted to understand the formation process of sediments and contaminants. Therefore, in this study, kaolin, which is a cohesive sediment, was used to quantify the floc formation process according to the mixing intensity. Turbidity was analyzed to observe the amount of floc formation, and samples were collected to confirm the concentration. Additionally, the turbidity concentration relationship according to the mixing intensity was quantified using an optical microscope. Regarding the mixing intensity, when the rotation speed was 200 rpm or more, the separation of the flocs was dominant. In contrast, when the rotation speed was 100 rpm or less, turbidity changes due to sedimentation and floc formation were dominant. Analyzing mixing intensities and their association with the flow characteristics of rivers may be useful for the management of contaminants in rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the removal efficiencies of SS and Fe3+ in anaerobic digestion reject water for the subsequent biological treatment process, on the basis of the single factor test in the early stage, the response surface method was used, and the structure of the formed floc was analyzed by magnetic flocculation. The optimum amounts of magnetic powder, polyaluminum chloride (PAC) and polyacrylamide (PAM) were 40.51 mg/L, 31.31 mg/L and 4.05 mg/L, respectively. At this time, the removal efficiencies of SS and Fe3+ were 97.84% and 98.35%. The effects of floc particle size, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and two-dimensional fractal dimension of flocs on the flocculation ability showed that: compared with conventional coagulation, the average particle size of flocs treated by magnetic flocculation was 76.56 μm, the Fe-O-Al absorption peak appeared at 984 cm−1, the flocculation ability was significantly improved, the surface of the floc was rough and porous, and the structure was dense, and the sedimentation performance was significantly improved also. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular cellular adhesins facilitate microbial aggregation; however, most of the information about extracellular adhesins is based on pure culture studies. In this study, we characterized the hydrophobic characteristics and distribution of the extracellular adhesins in environmental biofilms and flocs. The hydrophobic characteristics of the extracellular adhesins were studied by sonicating the microbial aggregates to disperse the cells and by fractionating them using the microbial adhesion to the hydrocarbon method. Furthermore, we probed environmental biofilms and flocs using immunohistochemistry coupled with confocal laser scanning microscopy for reimaging the microbial aggregates based on extracellular adhesins. Small flocs have a relatively dispersed distribution of extracellular adhesins (flagella, fimbriae, pili, and amyloid adhesins). The stratified distribution of extracellular adhesins was observed in environmental biofilms. It was observed that the pili and amyloid adhesins were predominantly present in the core of biofilms, whereas flagella and fimbriae were present in the outer layer of the microbial aggregates. The dispersion of microbial aggregates is one of the limiting factors that challenge the sustainable application of wastewater treatment processes. Greater attention to the components of extracellular protein (such as the adhesins) is required to understand the aggregation of dispersible environmental microbial aggregates. [Display omitted] • Environmental microbial aggregates reimagined incorporating extracellular adhesins. • Adhesins are dispersed in floc, whereas adhesins in biofilms are stratified. • Flagella and fimbriae were relatively predominant in the outer layer of biofilms. • Amyloid adhesins and pili were relatively predominant in the core of biofilms. • Adhesins were differentially distributed in hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with the treatment of oily wastewater produced from the washing of oil-contaminated soil. Untreated oily wastewater contains toxic compounds that might be mutagenic or carcinogenic as total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and heavy metals. Based on the water quality analysis, the tested samples contained a high concentration of TPH, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and turbidity with an average value of 67,500 mg/l, 48,240 mg/l and 176 (nephelometric turbidity unit, NTU), respectively. Several technologies were used, such as centrifuging, powdered activated carbon (PAC) and sawdust. The mean values of COD values for sawdust, centrifuging and PAC were 41,067, 25,600 and 13,133 mg/l, respectively. The present study indicated that the coagulation/flocculation processes were more efficient by using aluminium sulphate alum, while the preliminary conclusion derived was that the secondary treatment using an aeration system is capable of lowering the COD values as well as increasing the flocculent mass floc well equal to 4,784 mg/l and 0.69 g, respectively. The microbial seed was able to degrade the biosurfactant, which allows the stability of oil emulsion to be broken down and released easily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgal biomass is an emerging source of renewable energy and health-related compounds. However, harvesting of microalgae is a techno-economic hinder. In this research, chitosan and polyacrylamide were optimized harvesting condition for Chlorella vulgaris. Stirring at 300 rpm for 2 min is optimum for chitosan and polyacrylamide. Low-dose (10 mg/L) chitosan (flocculation efficiency (FE), 98.10 ± 1.06%) is more efficient than high-dose (25 mg/L) polyacrylamide (FE 94.57 ± 0.55%) for harvesting C. vulgaris. Chitosan resulted flocs settled more quickly than polyacrylamide, while polyacrylamide keep > 90% FE in a wider pH range (7–10) than chitosan (7–8). Chitosan and polyacrylamide both have no negative effect on biomass composition, including protein, carbohydrate, and carotenoid. C. vulgaris in flocs could successfully regrow in fresh culture media. The residual culture media was recycled with little impact on cell growth. All the results suggested that chitosan and polyacrylamide could harvest high-quality microalgal biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the short history of Google's AI-driven data collation and marketing technology, Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC), which was designed to replace third-party cookies, the technology at the heart of "surveillance capitalism." Using publicly available data such as patents, investor calls, public filings, github accounts, and presentations, this paper explores FLoCs and its immediate replacements, The Topics API and FLEDGE, and contests claims that Google's new marketing technologies are both 'privacy-centric' and as effective as surveillance-driven targeted advertising. The paper argues that Google's parent company, Alphabet is starting on a path away from being an advertising and information company to being an "AI-first" company, and sees FLoC as one (mis)step on this path. The paper shows how an combination of interacting factors – corporate ideology, market forces, regulatory responses, and internal cultural conflict – are driving this transformation, but concludes that surveillance will continue to be at the heart of any AI-first economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the removal efficiencies of SS and Fe3+ in anaerobic digestion reject water for the subsequent biological treatment process, on the basis of the single factor test in the early stage, the response surface method was used, and the structure of the formed floc was analyzed by magnetic flocculation. The optimum amounts of magnetic powder, polyaluminum chloride (PAC) and polyacrylamide (PAM) were 40.51 mg/L, 31.31 mg/L and 4.05 mg/L, respectively. At this time, the removal efficiencies of SS and Fe3+ were 97.84% and 98.35%. The effects of floc particle size, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and two-dimensional fractal dimension of flocs on the flocculation ability showed that: compared with conventional coagulation, the average particle size of flocs treated by magnetic flocculation was 76.56 μm, the Fe-O-Al absorption peak appeared at 984 cm−1, the flocculation ability was significantly improved, the surface of the floc was rough and porous, and the structure was dense, and the sedimentation performance was significantly improved also.

Environmental mobility of anthropogenic heavy metal releases is governed by site-specific hydrobiogeochemical factors. Uranium (U) releases from 1965 to 1988 resulted in contamination of the Tims Branch wetland at the United States Department of Energy Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina. Today, 80% of the 43,000 kg released remain sequestered in soils of two former ponds, Beaver Pond and Steed Pond. The objective of this study was to understand U partitioning from contaminated wetland sediments to aqueous and particulate iron-floc phases. The approach was to correlate U, iron (Fe), and organic matter (OM) in soil cores at key depositional areas; determine U and Fe concentrations in aqueous- and solid-phases in the stream; and compare these stream water data following two storm events. Uranium was released into an outfall canal leading away from the SRS M-Area and first deposited in a topographically low area where a beaver pond is frequently in place. Uranium soil concentrations in Beaver Pond exceed 14,000 µg/g and a second deposition area 1 km downgradient in a former farm pond (Steed Pond) has U soil concentrations near 300 µg/g. Uranium releases to the stream are minimal at Beaver Pond, but U incorporation into Fe-OM colloids, or flocs, at Steed Pond results in appreciable fluxes of U from the wetland. This work yields four key conclusions. At the kilometer and meter scales, geochemistry cannot be the sole predictor of U mobility, as the anthropogenic U deposition is geologically young relative to Fe and OM. Storm intensity and duration do not appear to be directly proportional to U releases from the wetland, as flooding decreases U inclusion in mobile flocs. The mass of suspended solids present in a stream reach often governs how much U moves. The solid-bound U inventory at Beaver Pond does not enter the mobile aqueous phase as easily as Steed Pond U, resulting in U sequestration amid wetland metal cycling in Tims Branch. This work expands upon studies conducted in the 1990′s and early 2000′s, improving our understanding of the geochemical controls of uranium migration through Tims Branch, particularly with respect to the changes over the last 30+ years. Current wetland conditions do not favor significant U movement, but long-term changes in local and regional hydrology may alter this delicate biogeochemical balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of organic carbon (OC) with clay and metals stabilizes soil carbon (C), but the influence of specific clay-metal-OC assemblages (flocs) needs further evaluation. This study aimed to investigate the stability of flocs in soil as affected by external C inputs. Flocs representing OC-mineral soil fractions were synthesized using dissolved organic C (DOC) combined with kaolinite (1:1 layer structure) or montmorillonite (2:1 layer structure) clays in the absence or presence of two levels of Fe (III) (named low or high Fe). Flocs were mixed with soil (classified as Luvisol) and incubated with or without 13C labelled plant residue (i.e., ryegrass) for 30 days. The CO2 emissions and DOC concentrations as well as their 13C signatures from all treatments were examined. Total C mineralization from flocs was approximately 70% lower than non-flocced DOC. The flocs made with montmorillonite had 16–43% lower C mineralization rate than those made with kaolinite with no Fe or low Fe. However, when flocs were made with high Fe, clay mineralogy did not significantly affect total C mineralization. A positive priming effect (PE) of flocs on native soil OC was observed in all treatments, with a stronger PE found in lower Fe treatments. The high-Fe clay flocs inhibited ryegrass decomposition, while the flocs made without clay had no impact on it. Interestingly, flocs significantly decreased the PE of ryegrass on native soil OC decomposition. These results indicate that the adsorption of DOC onto clay minerals in the presence of Fe (III) stabilizes it against decomposition processes and its stability increases as Fe in flocs increases. Flocs also protect soil OC from the PE of external degradable plant C input. This study showed that Fe level and clay mineralogy play an important role in controlling soil C stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How climate and habitat drive variation in aquatic metabolism in wetlands remains uncertain. To quantify differences in seasonal aquatic metabolism among wetlands, we estimated aquatic ecosystem metabolism (gross primary productivity, GPP; ecosystem respiration, ER; net aquatic productivity, NAP) in subtropical ridge and slough wetlands of the Florida Everglades from more than 2 yr of continuously measured water column dissolved oxygen, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), water temperature, and water depth. Gross primary productivity and ER were modeled from light, temperature, and water depth using non‐linear minimization and maximum likelihood. Reaeration rates were estimated from wind speed. Dissolved oxygen was below saturation at all sites during both wet and dry seasons. Water depth interacted with vegetation to influence PAR, water temperature, and spatiotemporal patterns in aquatic metabolism. Gross primary productivity and ER were highest at the slough with lowest submerged aquatic vegetation (low‐SAV slough), intermediate in the sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) ridge site, and lowest at the slough with highest submerged aquatic vegetation (high‐SAV slough). Ecosystem respiration was strongly positively correlated with GPP at the sawgrass ridge and low‐SAV slough sites. Gross primary productivity increased with water temperature and PAR across all habitat types, whereas ER decreased (more respiration) with water temperature and PAR. Net aquatic productivity was negatively correlated with water temperature and positively correlated with PAR, suggesting that ER was more sensitive than GPP to water temperature. Aquatic metabolism was largely net heterotrophic in all wetlands, and high‐SAV appeared to buffer seasonal variation in PAR and water temperatures that drive NAP in subtropical wetlands. Our results suggest that aquatic ecosystem metabolism in wetlands with seasonal hydrology is sensitive to changes in water depth and vegetation density that influence temperature and light. Expanding our understanding of how metabolic processes and carbon cycling in wetland ecosystems vary across gradients in hydrology, vegetation, and organic matter could enhance our understanding and protection of conditions that maximize carbon storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scheme of DLVO theory and the concept of fractal structure of flocs applied to the suspension of montmorillonite have revealed out the unique nature of this clay dispersion. In this context, two major regimes are recognized. The first is the electrostatically dispersed regime. And the second is the coagulated regime. In the former, the formation of a diffusive electric double layer (EDL) characterized by reciprocal Debye length measured from the surface of the particle is distinctively important. Intrinsic viscosity with electroviscous effects and yield stress are interpreted by the steric presence of EDL. In the latter, the unit of transportation is a coagulated floc with finite cohesive strength. Sedimentation process reflecting these factors is carefully observed to recognize the turbulence generation by the formation of large flocs at the moment of gel collapse. Waiting time prior to gel collapse was found to be determined reflecting the pH-dependent charging behavior. By taking into account the effect pH-dependent charge, the DLVO based two regimes are further categorized into five. The developed tools can be extensively used for the system involved with different ionic species, pH, volume fraction and organic substances.

Optical gas refractometry has enabled new pressure standards to be developed based on a dual Fixed Length Optical Cavity (FLOC) system. NIST in CRADA (collaboration research and development agreement) partnership with MKS Instruments has created a portable FLOC pressure standard based on gas refractivity. A key challenge for accurate measurements is the characterization of cavity distortions when pressurized. A method for determination of the distortion constants is presented based on using two gases of known refractive index. Using this two-gas technique, the distortions on the portable FLOC pressure standard are corrected so that this correction contributes no more than 1 μPa/Pa of uncertainty (k = 1).

Abstract How climate and habitat drive variation in aquatic metabolism in wetlands remains uncertain. To quantify differences in seasonal aquatic metabolism among wetlands, we estimated aquatic ecosystem metabolism (gross primary productivity, GPP; ecosystem respiration, ER; net aquatic productivity, NAP) in subtropical ridge and slough wetlands of the Florida Everglades from more than 2 yr of continuously measured water column dissolved oxygen, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), water temperature, and water depth. Gross primary productivity and ER were modeled from light, temperature, and water depth using non‐linear minimization and maximum likelihood. Reaeration rates were estimated from wind speed. Dissolved oxygen was below saturation at all sites during both wet and dry seasons. Water depth interacted with vegetation to influence PAR, water temperature, and spatiotemporal patterns in aquatic metabolism. Gross primary productivity and ER were highest at the slough with lowest submerged aquatic vegetation (low‐SAV slough), intermediate in the sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) ridge site, and lowest at the slough with highest submerged aquatic vegetation (high‐SAV slough). Ecosystem respiration was strongly positively correlated with GPP at the sawgrass ridge and low‐SAV slough sites. Gross primary productivity increased with water temperature and PAR across all habitat types, whereas ER decreased (more respiration) with water temperature and PAR. Net aquatic productivity was negatively correlated with water temperature and positively correlated with PAR, suggesting that ER was more sensitive than GPP to water temperature. Aquatic metabolism was largely net heterotrophic in all wetlands, and high‐SAV appeared to buffer seasonal variation in PAR and water temperatures that drive NAP in subtropical wetlands. Our results suggest that aquatic ecosystem metabolism in wetlands with seasonal hydrology is sensitive to changes in water depth and vegetation density that influence temperature and light. Expanding our understanding of how metabolic processes and carbon cycling in wetland ecosystems vary across gradients in hydrology, vegetation, and organic matter could enhance our understanding and protection of conditions that maximize carbon storage.

Copyright of Transactions of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Submergible digital holographic camera can measure the in situ size and shape of suspended particles, such as complex flocs and biological organisms, without disturbance. As the number of particles in the water column increases, overlapping concentric rings (interference patterns) can contaminate the holographic images. Using light intensity (LI), this study proposes a practical method to assess the degree of contamination and screen out contaminated images. The outcomes from image processing support that LI normalized on a gray scale of 0 (black) to 255 (white) can be a reliable criterion for defining the contamination boundary. Results found that as LI increased, the shape of the particle size distribution shifted from a positively skewed to a normal distribution. When LI was lower than approximately 80, owing to the distortion of particle properties, the settling velocities derived from the contaminated holograms with mosaic patterns were underestimated compared to those from the uncontaminated holograms. The proposed method can contribute to a more accurate estimation of the transport and behavior of cohesive sediments in shallow estuarine environments.

• A binary structure of sludge was proposed to guide dewaterability sensors design. • Advanced tools including optical tweezers characterized binary gel-like structure. • Shear rheology favored stressing supra-flocs level's interaction networks of sludge. • Shear rheology can't cover sufficient information on flocs' gel-like structure. • Flocs' gel-like properties were vital for the sludge dewaterability determination. The digital transformation of sludge treatment processes requires online sensing of dewaterability. This topic has been attempted for many years based on macroscopic shear rheology. However, the relationship between rheological behavior and dewaterability remains noncommittal, and the reason is unclear. Herein, a binary gel-like structure model was proposed including the interactions network at the supra-flocs level and the gel-like structure at the flocs level. Multiple advanced techniques including optical tweezers were employed to precisely understand the binary gel-like structure and to classify the correlation mechanism between this gel-like structure, rheological behavior, and dewaterability. The analysis of sludge from eight wastewater treatment plants showed the binary gel-like structures at both supra-flocs and flocs levels have significant relationships with sludge dewaterability (p < 0.05). Further deconstruction of the sludge viscoelastic behavior illustrated that the gel-like structure at the supra-flocs level dominates the rheological behavior of sludge. Moreover, the direct description of the binary gel-like structure in four typical sludge treatment processes highlighted the importance of the flocs level's structure in determining the dewaterability. Overall, this study revealed that shear rheology may prefer to stress the interactions network at the supra-flocs level but mask the flocs level's structure, although the latter is important. This observation may provide a general guideline for the design of robust sensors for dewaterability. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocoagulation has been widely studied in oily wastewater treatment because of its high demulsification efficiency and no secondary reagent is required. Oil removal largely depends on the properties of the aggregates. This study aimed to explore the growth process of aggregates and oil removal near the anode by electrocoagulation. Four factors, current density, solution temperature, initial pH value, and electrode structure, were investigated. According to the findings, the current density and temperature have the most significant influence on the growth process of aggregates. The oil removal rate depends more on the average particle size than the fractal dimension. The results showed that the current density and solution temperature have the most significant influence on the parameters of the electrocoagulation process. With increasing current density, the aggregate growth rate and average particle size entering the stable period were accelerated, and the oil removal efficiency was promoted. The growth of aggregates was retarded at high temperatures. The change in the scope of the fractal dimension was minor, ranging from 1.65 to 1.84, during the growth process of the aggregates. Foamed aluminium electrodes were beneficial for accelerating aggregate growth instead of aluminium plates, but the energy consumption was obviously increased. The relationship between the mean particle size and mean fractal dimension of aggregates is consistent with the power function. From the point of view of aggregate growth, this study forms the basis for an in-depth understanding of the demulsification mechanism. • The influence of aggregate growth near the anode on oil removal was studied. • The relationship between average particle size and fractal dimension was explored. • High temperature (>35 °C) is not conducive to aggregates growth. • The growth of aggregates dissolved from foamed aluminium electrodes and aluminium plates were compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slurries containing fine particles are widely dewatered by flocculation combined with filtration. Understanding the microscopic filtration process of a flocculated slurry is helpful in designing flocculation and filtration schemes; however, there is currently limited research. In this study, the Lattice Boltzmann method–Discrete Element method–DLVO coupling method (LBM–DEM–DLVO) was used to conduct numerical experiments on the pore characteristics of cake by filtration. The numerical results demonstrate that the cake formed by filtration of the flocculated slurry contains two types of pores: interfloc and intrafloc pores. The diameter of the interfloc pores, which are the dominant channels for water seepage in the cake, is relatively large. The pore properties of the cake were significantly influenced by the interaction force between the particles in the floc and the filtration pressure; the mechanism was analyzed. Engineering proposals for dewatering are also presented. A multi-stage pressure treatment process and increased F inter during flocculation are recommended. [Display omitted] • The microscopic filtration process of flocculated slurry was revealed. • Microcosmic interaction forces such as the bridging force were considered. • The key mechanism affecting the pore characteristics of the cake was proposed. • Engineering proposals for dewatering were presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flocculation is an aggregation phenomenon of microbial cells in which they form flocs or flakes. In this study, it was found that addition of glycerol to a complex glucose medium promoted spontaneous floc formation by an Escherichia coli degP -deficient mutant strain (Δ degP) in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of 10% (v/v) glycerol, the amount of floc formation (quantified as floc protein) reached its maximum value (230 mg/L), five times that in its absence. 10% (v/v) glycerol was the limit concentration that does not inhibit cell growth of Δ degP strain. Glycerol was not consumed by Δ degP cells during floc formation. To provide media having nearly the same viscosity as that containing 10% (v/v) glycerol, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were added to medium as viscosifying agents. Floc formation was not promoted by increasing the medium viscosity with CMC or PVP. However, addition of ethylene glycol also significantly promoted floc formation in the same manner as glycerol. Addition of short-chain polyols decreased the number of viable Δ degP cells in the floc structure and enhanced outer membrane vesicle (OMV) production by Δ degP cells; polyols-induced damage on the outer membrane of Δ degP cells may contribute to the promoted floc formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of contaminants in the paint industry effluent confirms the necessity of its treatment before disposal. This study aims to assess the potentiality of green coagulant Cassia fistula by treating it against the synthetic paint industry wastewater. The process of coagulation was done using standard jar test apparatus. The operational variables like solvent type (NaCl, KCl, and distilled water), solvent concentration (1-5 N), coagulant dosage (1-10 g/L), coagulant-extract volume (40-240 mL/L), initial pH (5-11), and initial concentration (1,200; 1,350; 1,850; 2,200; and 2,700 mg/L) had been varied. The recommended condition to treat a liter of effluent was 160 mL of coagulant extract prepared using 5 g of C. fistula and 2 N NaCl, at its initial pH (7.8-8.4). The settling studies were conducted to evaluate the sludge volume index, hindered settling velocity, and sludge weight. The obtained results of C. fistula is compared with the chemical coagulant ferrous sulfate. The results acknowledged that C. fistula, a natural, eco-friendly, green coagulant, could be a strong alternative to the chemical coagulant in the treatment of paint industry wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the adhesion of hematite flocs to gas bubbles in floc floatation, this paper develops an observation system for floc-bubble collision and adhesion with two charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras. The sizes of flocs and bubble were 45.36µm and 0.90mm, respectively, and the distance between a floc and the bubble center (sedimentation distance) was set to 0.25cm. Three surfactants, namely, sodium oleate, lauryl amine and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), were selected for our research. Several experiments were conducted to disclose how surfactant concentration and pH affect the surface adhesion between hematite flocs and bubbles. Then, the adhesion mechanism was discussed in details based on the experimental results. The results show that the highest adhesion probability was achieved for the said floc and bubble at the lauryl amine concentration of 8mg/L, the sedimentation distance of 0.25cm and the pH of 9. After touching the bubble, the hermamite floc slid on the bubble surface, forming a stable three-phase interface after 67ms. Then, the radial position of the floc no longer changed, despite the floc motion on the bubble surface. According to the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory and the potential energy of the van der Waals force, there was a repulsive force between the floc and the bubble in the absence of surfactant and an attractive force in the presence of the surfactant of lauryl amine. In addition, a thin solvation shell is conducive to the adhesion between the floc and the bubble. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scheme of DLVO theory and the concept of fractal structure of flocs applied to the suspension of montmorillonite have revealed out the unique nature of this clay dispersion. In this context, two major regimes are recognized. The first is the electrostatically dispersed regime. And the second is the coagulated regime. In the former, the formation of a diffusive electric double layer (EDL) characterized by reciprocal Debye length measured from the surface of the particle is distinctively important. Intrinsic viscosity with electroviscous effects and yield stress are interpreted by the steric presence of EDL. In the latter, the unit of transportation is a coagulated floc with finite cohesive strength. Sedimentation process reflecting these factors is carefully observed to recognize the turbulence generation by the formation of large flocs at the moment of gel collapse. Waiting time prior to gel collapse was found to be determined reflecting the pH-dependent charging behavior. By taking into account the effect pH-dependent charge, the DLVO based two regimes are further categorized into five. The developed tools can be extensively used for the system involved with different ionic species, pH, volume fraction and organic substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coagulation-based separation has been increasingly applied to microalgal harvesting because of its competitive cost and high scalability. The characteristics of flocs formed during coagulation/flocculation are critical for efficient harvesting. However, few studies have been devoted to systematically investigating the structural characteristics of microalgal flocs and their influences on subsequent settling performance. In this paper, the dynamic mean size and fractal dimension, strength, regrowth and settling performance of Al3+ coagulated Chlorella vulgaris flocs were characterized at various flocculation shear rates. The influence of shear rate on floc characteristics was revealed. An appropriate shear rate (9 s−1) produced more desirable microalgal flocs (in terms of size and compactness), with better settling performance and a higher concentration factor, than higher or lower shear rates, favoring their separation and subsequent harvesting. At this condition, the concentration factor reached 13.50, which was a 177.21% improvement over the 4.87 reached at a low shear rate. Unlabelled Image • Size and structure of Al3+ coagulated Chlorella vulgaris floc were characterized. • The influence of shear rate on the floc characteristics was revealed. • Shear rate was optimized for the improvement of floc settling and concentration factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There is little research on the effect of floc morphology change on flotation. In this work, we mainly focuses on the influence of floc morphology on flotation. • Using the agglomeration of flocs as an entry point, the morphology of flocs was investigated in multiple dimensions through the fractal dimension and AFM characterization of flocs. • The adsorption of flocculants on the surface of different morphologies of flocs was investigated using XPS tests, revealing the correlation between flocculant adsorption and floc morphology. • The induction time and encapsulation angle of different forms of flocs and bubbles were investigated to reveal the flotation mechanism of flocs from the unmicroscopic level. This study investigates the impact of floc morphology on flotation by preparing two types of flocs with similar apparent particle sizes but different aggregation degrees through varying the stirring speed. Flotation tests were conducted on the two flocs, revealing that flocs with higher aggregation degrees demonstrated superior floatability and higher flotation rate constants. Fractal dimension and AFM analysis indicated that flocs with higher aggregation degrees exhibited higher fractal dimensions, displaying a more circular and compact overall morphology, as well as a more regular and uniform surface morphology. XPS and contact angle tests showed that, for flocs with comparable particle sizes, an increase in fractal dimension led to increased adsorption of flocculant (PEO) on the surface, accompanied by enhanced hydrophobicity. Further analysis of the induction time for particle-bubble attachment and coverage angle demonstrated that flocs with higher fractal dimensions had shorter induction times and larger coverage angles, indicating faster attachment between flocs and bubbles. These findings suggest that flocs with higher fractal dimensions can acquire greater kinetic energy in a flow field, enabling them to more effectively disrupt the hydration film on the bubble surface and adhere to the bubble surface, thereby enhancing floatability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Granule-EPS exhibited more complex texture than Floc-EPS. • Floc-EPS formed looser adhered structure on abiotic surfaces than Granule-EPS. • The intensity of granules was mainly contributed by non-extractable structure EPS. • The difference in adhesion properties led to the segregation of flocs and granules. Granules and flocs have been widely found co-existing in anammox granular systems, but the segregation mechanism of granules and flocs is still largely unknown. Here, the chemical composition, physical properties, spectral characteristics, and adherence properties of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extracted from anammox granules (Granule-EPS) and flocs (Floc-EPS), which were closely related to sludge aggregation, were tested and compared. Granule-EPS exhibited more complex texture with larger biomolecule size and higher molecular weight than Floc-EPS. Moreover, Floc-EPS showed weaker co-aggregation ability, which might be due to its lower proteins/polysaccharides ratio, more compact protein secondary structure, stronger hydrophilicity, and lower intermolecular hydrogen bond proportion, than Granule-EPS. Besides, due to the looser connection between Floc-EPS biomolecules compared to Granule-EPS biomolecules, the structure of adhered Floc-EPS layer was looser than that of the adhered Granule-EPS, which was in accordance with the lower sludge intensity of anammox flocs compared to granules (595.2 ± 36.8 Pa vs. 315.3 ± 13.8 Pa; p = 0.001). More importantly, during the process of anammox flocs aggregation, a portion of EPS formed structure EPS that was difficult to extract, to maintain a tight structure of the granules. We therefore assumed that biomass segregation between anammox granules and flocs was due to the difference in the tightness of the adhered layer structure they formed. Overall, the results improve our understanding of anammox granular system, especially for the segregation phenomenon between granules and flocs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersions of acid hydrophobized hydrolysis lignin in light crude oil, industrial oil, and diesel fuel were found to demonstrate the transition from Newtonian to non-Newtonian behavior with shear-thinning and thixotropy within the increase in lignin concentration. Lignin-in-diesel fuel dispersions were shown to have the smallest apparent viscosity while lignin-in-industrial oil dispersions have the highest one and the sharpest drop of viscosity with shear rate increasing. At the same time, relative viscosity demonstrates the inverse dependence: It is highest for lignin-in-diesel fuel suspensions. Calculation of parameters based on microrheological model of elastic flocs with generalized Casson equation allowed determining of the parameters k and A that describe hydrodynamic interaction between separated particles and their aggregates under flow, parameter FA, characterizing the force impeding the break of aggregates and numbers of particles in the floc for different systems as the dependence of shear stress. The explanation based on a higher affinity of diesel fuel to lignin unlike industrial oil and light crude oil as dispersing medium has been given.

Abstract Estrogenic compounds can cause human and ecological health issues and have been detected in surface and drinking water. In this research a reactor analysis determined the impact of operational parameters, the best fit kinetic model for the removal of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) using a bench-top iron electrocoagulation reactor, and characterized the floc generated in-situ. The parameters investigated were current density, conductivity, stir rate, and polarity reversal. Estrogen removal correlated well with an increase in current density, while conductivity did not impact removal but did reduce potentials. High stir rates and frequent polarity reversal demonstrated greater removal. The operating parameters that achieved the greatest estrogen removal were a current density of 16.7 mA cm−2, conductivity of 1000 μS cm−1, stir rate of 500 rpm, and a polarity reversal time of 30 s. These parameters led to average removal efficiencies of 81%, 87%, 85%, and 97% for E1, E2, E3, and EE2, respectively. The removal data for all estrogenic compounds best fit a pseudo-first order relationship with kinetic rate constants of 0.015 min−1 for E1 and E2, 0.016 min−1 for E3 and 0.040 min−1 for EE2. The floc formed in-situ were characterized by determining the crystalline phases with X-ray diffraction, the size and zeta potential, and the shape and major components using scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The iron coagulant generated during electrocoagulation was lepidocrocite with a point of zero charge of 5.67 and an average floc diameter of 2255 nm. Highlights • Iron electrocoagulation was effective in removing >80% of estrogens. • Increased current density, stir rate, and decreased polarity reversal times increased estrogen removal. • Estrogen removal using iron electrocoagulation followed pseudo-first order kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic aspects of colloidal dispersion form a critical basis of the engineering science of soil and water quality when the relation between microscopic physicochemical and hydrodynamic conditions and macroscopic hydrological transport phenomena is considered. Examples in the paddy and environment can be found in the transportation and diffusion of pollution in the discharge of irrigation water. In this review, I focus on this validity with emphasis on the fact that the majority of colloidal materials in the soil and water environment are apt to flocculate. That is, the mechanical unit of transportation is a floc rather than individual fine matter: fragments of clay particles, insoluble metal oxides and any other natural organic matter, such as protein, polysaccharide and humic substances. On the surface of colloidal materials present in soil and aquatic environments, it is known that many chemical substances, nutrients, agrochemicals and pollutants are concentrated by adsorption or sorption. In addition, such adsorption and sorption behavior will alter the nature of the colloidal surface to induce different types of colloidal flocculation and complexation, which will result in differences in the transport phenomena in the aquatic and soil environments. Therefore, the analysis of flocculation dynamics in relation to adsorption of chemical substances onto colloidal particles is a key factor in comprehensive management of soil and water environments. For this purpose, we have carried out a study of flocculation by choosing four clay minerals: allophane, imogolite, montmorillonite and kaolinite. The choice was rather arbitrary but has been established to cover mostly different shapes and surface properties. Comparison with results obtained for a colloidal system composed of monodispersed spheres and polymeric flocculants is found to clarify the validity of the framework of analysis. The strategy is very useful to accumulate characteristic data and has opened the way to further analysis of the complex system of soil and aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Because of the eminent adsorptive capacity and rate for dissolved organic molecules compared to conventionally-sized powdered activated carbon (PAC), super-fine powdered activated carbon (SPAC) is gathering momentum for use in not only the pretreatment for membrane filtration for drinking water purification but also the conventional water purification process consisting of coagulation-flocculation, sedimentation, and rapid sand-filtration (CSF). However, the probability of SPAC particles to leak through a sand bed is higher than that of PAC, and their strict leakage control is an issue to be challenged when applying SPAC to CSF. However, study focusing on very high particle removal, which yield residual concentrations down to around 100 particles/mL, has been very limited. A previous study mentioned that the tendency of SPAC leakage is related to its low destabilization. In response to this, the present study focused on the two key components of coagulation (mixing intensity and coagulants) and investigated how to effectively reduce the residual SPAC after CSF. Astonishingly, the flash mixing (the first process of CSF), especially its G (velocity gradient) value, played the most important role in determining the residual SPAC in the filtrate of sand filter (the fourth process). Even if the slow mixing time was short, a sufficiently large G value but short T (mixing time) value in flash mixing effectively reduced the residual SPAC. When the total GT value of flash and slow mixing was fixed at a constant, priority should be given to flash mixing to reduce the residual SPAC. Among 23 PACl (poly-aluminum chloride) coagulants, PACl with a high-basicity (basicity 70%) and with sulfate ion (0.14 of sulfate/aluminum in molar ratio), produced by Al(OH) 3 -dissolution, were the most effective to reduce the residual SPAC after CSF. PACls produced by base-titration, which have been intensively investigated in previous researches, were not effective due to lack of floc-formation ability. However, their Al species composition determined by the ferron method were almost the same as those of PACl by Al(OH) 3 -dissolution, and their charge-neutralization capacities were higher. PACls produced by Al(OH) 3 -dissolution possessed both charge-neutralization and floc-formation abilities, but the former ability was more important to minimize the residual of SPAC. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Removal of superfine PAC (SPAC) by conventional water treatment was examined. • Residual SPAC in sand filtrate was strongly influenced by coagulation performance. • G value in flash mixing was key for the SPAC removal but not in slow mixing. • High-basicity sulfated PACl by Al(OH)3-dissolution removed SPAC efficiently. • PACl by base-titration was ineffective despite a high charge-neutralization capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the decolourisation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) was investigated by electrocoagulation (EC) batch reactor utilizing aluminium plate electrodes. POME was characterized physicochemically for colour, chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, conductivity and turbidity. The colour of POME was observed to be dark brown of 2707 PtCo with a high organic content of COD at 3909 mg/L and high turbidity at 755 NTU. The electrical conductivity was at 12.82 mS. The influence of various operating parameters such as pH (3 to 11), applied voltage (5 V to 20 V) and plate gap (7.5 to 11.5 cm) to the POME colour removal were investigated as well. The highest colour removal was spotted at pH 5, applied voltage of 20 V and plate gap of 9.5 cm with corresponding colour removal percentage of 89, 79 and 78%, respectively. The EC flocs examined using FESEM exhibited the amorphous spherical and rod-like shape structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mamut Copper Mine (MCM) located in Sabah (Malaysia) on Borneo Island was the only Cu–Au mine that operated in the country. During its operation (1975–1999), the mine produced 2.47 Mt of concentrate containing approximately 600,000 t of Cu, 45 t of Au and 294 t of Ag, and generated about 250 Mt of overburden and waste rocks and over 150 Mt of tailings, which were deposited at the 397 ha Lohan tailings storage facility, 15.8 km from the mine and 980 m lower in altitude. The MCM site presents challenges for environmental rehabilitation due to the presence of large volumes of sulphidic minerals wastes, the very high rainfall and the large volume of polluted mine pit water. This indicates that rehabilitation and treatment is costly, as for example, exceedingly large quantities of lime are needed for neutralisation of the acidic mine pit discharge. The MCM site has several unusual geochemical features on account of the concomitant occurrence of acid-forming sulphide porphyry rocks and alkaline serpentinite minerals, and unique biological features because of the very high plant diversity in its immediate surroundings. The site hence provides a valuable opportunity for researching natural acid neutralisation processes and mine rehabilitation in tropical areas. Today, the MCM site is surrounded by protected nature reserves (Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage Site, and Bukit Hampuan, a Class I Forest Reserve), and the environmental legacy prevents de-gazetting and inclusion in these protected area in the foreseeable future. This article presents a preliminary geochemical investigation of waste rocks, sediments, secondary precipitates, surface water chemistry and foliar elemental uptake in ferns, and discusses these results in light of their environmental significance for rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past several decades, major hydro-sedimentary changes have occurred in both continental and coastal regions of the Mekong Delta, and this has severely impacted coastal erosion. A good characterization of floc properties and of their changes over time is necessary to gain comprehensive understanding and modelling of hydrodynamics and of the associated geomorphological changes. This paper quantifies the influence of sediment concentration, turbulence and differential particle settling on flocculation through field and laboratory investigations of the Mekong estuary. For concentrations lower than 200 mg·L −1 , the particles do not exhibit a dynamic response to their environment, while for higher concentrations (up to 3–4 g·L −1 ), particle size and settling velocity increased by more than one order of magnitude. Flocculation by differential settling has not been sufficiently investigated yet, but this study reveals it as a predominant factor for siltation in quiescent environments such as the ones existing in the inner mangrove fringe. Such results are important to provide realistic simulations of the coastal evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]