Water and Wastewater Terms Beginning E

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

electrolytic recovery (ee-LECK-tro-LIT-ick)

A spontaneous, electrochemical process that involves the reduction of a more electropositive (noble) species, for example, copper, silver, mercury, or cadmium, by electronegative (sacrificial) metals, such as iron, zinc, or aluminum. This process is used to purify spent electrolytic solutions and for the treatment of wastewaters, leachates, and sludges bearing heavy metals. Also called cementation.