Ah.... Amphipathic, so that's what that means. A new(and valuable) word! I still have not read that article. I read fast but comprehend slow, so I will need a few minutes wide open to read that one. Looks good though, definitely the kind of thing I like to read. The quote below is from something I read. A paper written by some guys with 1000 gpm skimmers and chromatographs.
"Small organic and inorganic particles of like electrostatic charge will repel each other and thus be held in suspension in the water column, creating a haze and adding to DOM. By applying a VERY SMALL dose of ozone, the charge of SOME of the particles can be changed, bringing about their destabilization. When a higher (disinfection) dose of ozone is used in a Foam Fractionator, the charges of all suspended particles are altered and the benefit of microflocculation is lost. And ozone begins to break apart the carbon bonds of the long-chain molecules that are adhering to bubble surfaces, the pieces go back into solution."
This paper is about ten years old. But I just talked to the lead author a couple months ago on this very subject, and nothing has changed. I can't really name them or link the paper without permission. And I won't ask. I was picked on a little before(not this author), and the line was "œwhy do you want to waste your time fooling around on a hobby forum". So I don't want the chance to embarrass myself.
But there are a few reasons to fool with hobbyist. One is if you can weed through some non-sense there is a lot to be learned here. Lots of smart people here. Another reason is that a hobbyist can try something new without several committee meetings and hundreds of pages of documentation. So it's good for the pro's to keep up with what the hobbyist is thinking. And the hobbyist should keep an eye on what the pros are doing. I'm in charge of a facility where you need a ladder to clean the skimmer cup. Except that they clean themselves. And I'm using six pounds of ozone a day. And want more.
--John
