Due to its ion exchange, flocculation, and sedimentation properties, bentonite is used in environmental protection for water clarification and sludge treatment.
In water treatment systems, bentonite is a mineral type of clarifying agent, just like aluminium chlorohydrate, aluminium sulphate, ferrous sulphate, and iron chloride. However, since it is not soluble, it is the only agent capable of forming suspensions that remain stable over time. Further, bentonite “captures” metal pollutants, through an ion exchange process, in which sodium ions – which are superficially bonded to the clay – are replaced with polluted metallic cations.