What type of treatment would typically involve the use of coagulants?

The use of coagulants is primarily associated with chemical treatment processes in wastewater treatment. Coagulants are chemical substances that help to aggregate and destabilize suspended particles in water, making them easier to remove. When coagulants are added to wastewater, they cause particles to clump together into larger aggregates, called flocs. This process enhances the efficiency of subsequent physical removal methods, such as sedimentation or filtration.

Understanding the role of coagulants is crucial for operators in wastewater treatment. In contrast, biological treatment relies on microorganisms to degrade organic matter, physical filtration utilizes physical barriers to separate solids, and thermal treatment involves high temperatures to treat wastewater but does not specifically employ coagulants. Therefore, identifying the correct association between coagulants and chemical treatment reinforces the importance of chemistry in the wastewater treatment process.