Are floc particles more dense than water?

Floc particles are indeed more dense than water. This increased density is due to the aggregation of smaller particles, including suspended solids and microorganisms, which bind together through various physical and chemical processes during flocculation. The result is the formation of larger, heavier aggregates that can settle more easily in a sedimentation tank.

In the context of wastewater treatment, the density of floc particles is crucial for effective clarification. Since floc is designed to settle at the bottom of a tank, its density allows for clearer effluent to be separated from the solid waste. Knowing that floc is denser than water assists operators in understanding how to manage the sedimentation process effectively.

The other choices relate to specific conditions under which floc might behave differently, but they do not negate the general principle that floc particles have a density greater than that of water. This understanding is essential for professionals in the wastewater treatment field when optimizing processes for removing solids from water systems.