flocculation A process in which clay and other soil particles adhere to form larger groupings or aggregates, thereby coarsening the soil texture and making heavier soils easier to cultivate. The reverse of this process is known as dispersion.

flocculation A process in which clay and other soil particles adhere to form larger groupings or aggregates, thereby coarsening the soil texture and making heavier soils easier to cultivate. The reverse of this process is known as dispersion.

flocculation The process in which particles in a colloid aggregate into larger clumps. Flocculation of clay particles in soil can be induced by the addition of calcium salts. Clay particles have an overall negative charge and therefore attract positive ions, such as Ca²⁺, which form bridges holding the particles together. Flocculation is also often observed in cultures of bacterial and yeast cells.

flocculation Process in which clay and other soil particles adhere to form larger groupings or aggregates. The reverse of this process is known as dispersion.

flocculation (flok-yoo-lay-shŏn) n. a reaction in which normally invisible material leaves solution to form a coarse suspension or precipitate. See also agglutination.