What process is responsible for combining smaller particles into larger ones through growth and flocculation?

The process of bioflocculation is essential in wastewater treatment as it involves the aggregation of small particles into larger floc or clusters. This is primarily facilitated by microorganisms, particularly bacteria, which secrete extracellular polysaccharides that promote binding among particles. As these microorganisms metabolize organic material, they grow and produce biofilms, which not only help in capturing and consolidating smaller particles but also enhance the overall settling of solids in the treatment process.

Bioflocculation is critical for improving the efficiency of sedimentation and clarification processes in wastewater treatment. The larger flocs formed are easier to separate from the treated water compared to the original smaller particles, leading to improved quality of the effluent.

In comparison, while microfiltration, centrifugation, and ultrafiltration are all separation processes, they do not perform the specific function of biological growth and aggregation of particles that bioflocculation achieves. These techniques involve physical processes to filter or separate particles based on their size or density, lacking the biological aspects that contribute to floc formation.