Abstract: A new and improved method for treating mine influenced water (MIW) or other environmental contamination is disclosed. A number of electron donors are disclosed, including chitin complex-containing materials. The chitin complex-containing materials may modify the pH and reductive-oxidation potential of the contaminated media within the subsurface or within a treatment cell to facilitate metal removal through biological, chemical, and physical means, or a combination thereof. Bioremediation enhancing agents such as yeast products may also be used to facilitate microbial treatment of the contaminated sources. The yeast products may work with microbes to improve the rate of contaminant removal and promote microbial growth.

Abstract: A process has steps of one or more of aerobic treatment to remove COD and nitrify a waste stream, anoxic treatment to denitrify a waste stream, anoxic treatment to remove selenium and anaerobic treatment to remove heavy metals and sulphur. The process may be used to treat, for example, FGD blow down water. The process may further include one or more of (a) membrane separation of the waste stream upstream of the anoxic digestion to remove selenium, (b) dilution upstream of the biological treatment step, (c) physical/chemical pretreatment upstream of the biological processes or dilution step to remove TSS and soften the waste stream, or (d) ammonia stripping upstream of the biological treatment steps or dilutions step. These processes may be provided in a variety of suspended growth or fixed film reactors, for example a membrane bioreactor or a fixed film reactor having a GAC bed.

Abstract: In a biological wastewater treatment system, the addition of an intermittently aerated second bioreactor to accomplish ammonium oxidation to predominately nitrite and then to achieve denitrification by introducing the effluent, containing nitrite, from the second bioreactor into the influent collection system or the head works of a wastewater treatment plant. Denitrification from nitrite occurs in the collection pipe using the influent organics as a carbon source.

Abstract: Raw water containing ammonium-nitrogen is introduced into a nitrification tank and nitrification of nitrite-nitrogen by nitrite oxidizing bacteria is inhibited according to inhibition of the ammonium-nitrogen, thereby conducting stable nitrification of nitrous acid type at a high load by the action of ammonium oxidizing bacteria. Carbonate and/or bicarbonate are added into the nitrification tank 1. The inorganic carbon concentration in the nitrification tank 1 is maintained at 35 mg-C/L or more. The nitrified liquid thus obtained is introduced into a denitrification tank and denitrification reaction is conducted by the action of denitrifying bacteria with the remaining ammonium-nitrogen as an electron donor and the nitrite-nitrogen as an electron acceptor.

Abstract: A 10,000 gallon sequencing batch reactor tank for the on-site bio-degradation of oily sludge. Bacteria already present in and adapted to oily sludge degrade the hydrocarbons found in oily sludge within two weeks from 20,000 ppm to less than 100 ppm. A degradation cycle requires 5 days. After five days a recirculation pump and aeration system are turned off and solids are allowed to settle to the bottom of the tank. An ultrafiltration unit connected to the tank requires approximately 16 hours to process the contents of the reactor tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wastewater treatment in general and to methods of controlling odors and degrading compounds contained in wastewater in particular.

Abstract: A system for treating wastewater containing organic compounds is provided, comprising an anaerobic bioreactor, an aerobic bioreactor disposed rearwardly of the anaerobic bioreactor, and a membrane separation reactor disposed rearwardly of the aerobic bioreactor. The system is capable of removing organic pollutants in wastewater through biological treatment process and separating solid from the liquid ones by using a membrane. By employing the system for treating wastewater containing organic pollutants, organic pollutants can be effectively eliminated and the problem of scaling and fouling on the surface of the membrane prevented, thus achieving the objectives of lowering cost and improving efficiency.

Abstract: A hybrid chemical/mechanical dewatering sewage treatment plant and method employing rapid sludge chemical dewatering technology in conjunction with slower conventional mechanical dewatering solids agglomeration and disposal methods to meet operating constraints and environmental permitting restrictions and siting limitations for disposal of sewage and wastewater.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process for a high-performance upflow anaerobic sludge treatment (methane fermentation treatment) targeting an organic wastewater containing an inorganic sulfur compound and an apparatus therefor. The invention relates to a process for methane fermentation treatment of an organic wastewater containing a sulfur compound, which includes: detecting a concentration of hydrogen sulfide in a biogas generated from a step of methane fermentation treatment; and, conducting a control of subjecting the organic wastewater to a desulfurization treatment operation in the case that the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the biogas exceeds a predetermined value, and to an apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided including an aerobic membrane bioreactor and an anaerobic digester system connected to receive wasted solids continuously from the aerobic membrane bioreactor and also connected to return effluent from the anaerobic digester system continuously to the aerobic membrane bioreactor. Further, a process is provided for treating wastewater including the step of wasting a volume fraction of organic cell mass from an aerobic membrane bioreactor to an anaerobic digester system and maintaining a solids retention time (SRT) in the bioreactor that is (1) greater than a time needed to achieve growth of organisms suitable for converting carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) into cell mass and (2) less than a time at which substantial decay of the organisms occurs. The system and process may further include optional pretreatment and/or phosphorus and/or nitrogen removal downstream of the membrane bioreactor system.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a membrane in a membrane separation activated-sludge process. By the method, deposits adherent to the surface of a membrane used in a membrane separation activated-sludge process can be effectively scratched off and the membrane filtration rate can be prevented from decreasing. Membrane-cleaning particles (4) in which the surface to be in contact with the water to be treated has been hydrophilized and has a surface roughness of 100-2,500 ?m are introduced into a bioreactor (1). The particles are caused to flow by the lifting effect of air bubbles ejected from an aerator (3) or by the fluidizing effect of a fluidizing means to thereby cause the particles to scratch off deposits adherent to the surface of a separation membrane element (2). In one embodiment, membrane-cleaning particles (4) which are non-porous or have closed cells are used.

Abstract: A system for enhancing an activated sludge process that includes at least one aeration tank subsystem for receiving a flow a wastewater and for introducing dissolved oxygen to a population of microorganisms to promote growth of biological flocs in a mixed liquor defined by a concentration of mixed liquor suspended solids. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem includes an impregnation tank for mixing the mixed liquor, virgin weighting agent, and recycled weighting agent to impregnate the weighting agent into biological flocs suspended in the mixed liquor to form weighted biological flocs. A flocculant injection port located downstream from at least one aeration tank for introducing a flocculant to the mixed liquor for enhancing settling and thickening of the weighted biological flocs and for providing agglomeration of non-impregnated biological flocs and/or partially impregnated biological flocs with weighted biological flocs.

Abstract: A method of supporting denitrification includes receiving biological material at a pulsed electric field station and applying a pulsed electric field to the biological material within a treatment zone in the pulse electric field station to generate treated biological material. The method also includes transporting at least a portion of the treated biological material to an anoxic bioreactor in substitution, at least in part, for an external source of electron donor. A system for supporting denitrification is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the removal of biofilm, flocculent bulked sludge or bulked biologically active sludge from an aqueous system. The method involves adding one or more chlorinated hydantoins, such as dichloro- or monochlorodialkylhydantoin, to the aqueous system. Alternatively, the chlorinated hydantoin may be formed in situ by adding a chlorine source and an alkylated hydantoin separately to the aqueous system. The invention is particularly advantageous because of the outstanding photostability of the chlorinated hydantoin solutions even when exposed to sunlight.

Abstract: The method for treating an ammonium-containing liquid which biologically denitrifies ammonium contained in the ammonium-containing liquid in an anaerobic atmosphere, the method comprises the steps of: bringing the ammonium-containing liquid into contact with anaerobic bacteria in a biological treatment tank, the anaerobic bacteria having an ability to biologically denitrify the ammonium in the anaerobic atmosphere; and adding nitrite to the biological treatment tank from a nitrite storage tank concurrently with the bringing step, the nitrite storage tank storing the nitrite with a certain concentration.

Abstract: A non-toxic waste water treatment composition is provided. The waste water treatment composition is formed from: (a) an alkanolamide; (b) an ethoxylated alkylphenol, ethoxylated aryl phenol, or combination thereof, (c) a first surfactant selected from the group consisting of: an ethoxylated alcohol, a glycerol ester, a propoxylated fatty acid, an ethoxylated fatty acid, a propoxylated alcohol, an ethoxylated alcohol, a propoxylated alkyl phenol, an ethoxylated alkyl phenol, and a combination thereof, (d) a second surfactant selected from the group consisting of: a sulfosuccinate, a sulfosuccinate derivative, an imidazoline, an imidazoline derivative, and a combination thereof, and (e) optionally, a foaming agent. Methods for forming the non-toxic composition and for treating waste water with the composition are also provided. Finally an apparatus for introducing a waste water treatment composition into a waste water system is provided.

Abstract: Waste treatment systems and methods of using them to treat septage, domestic sludge or both are disclosed. Certain examples provided herein relate to waste treatment systems that include a plurality of stages, such as, for example, a plurality of ecosystems, configured to treat domestic sludge, septage or both.

Abstract: A method for processing environmental samples to remove or otherwise reduce the level of certain chemical species. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention contemplates a process for reducing the level of inorganic and/or organic chemical species in wastewater or other aqueous or semi-aqueous environments or other waste environments. The present invention further provides compositions of bacteria useful in modulating the redox potential of an environment to generate redox mediator species which facilitate the removal of particular inorganic or organic molecules from the environment or from samples therefrom. The redox potential is preferably modulated through microbial-mediated oxidation or reduction of metal cations under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, respectively. The present invention is further directed to a computer program which facilitates the controlled modulation of the redox potential of an aqueous or semi-aqueous environment or other environments.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of an effective amount of a non-oxidising water-soluble biocide in the improvement of sludge quality by reducing the sludge tendency towards bulking, wherein the biocide comprises an alkyl-substituted phosphonium compound, an alkyl-substituted phosphine, an alkyl-substituted phosphine condensate, or a polymeric quaternary ammonium compound.

Abstract: A biological system for removing selenium from waste water comprises a first immobilized cell bioreactor (ICB) and a selenide removal module. The first ICB comprises a chamber having a substrate housed therein and situated to contact the waste water flowing therethrough during use. Anaerobic microorganisms are supported on the substrate, and comprise selenium respiring bacteria capable of reducing selenates and selenites to insoluble elemental selenium and/or sulfate reducing bacteria capable of reducing selenates and selenites to insoluble elemental selenium or to soluble selenides. The selenide removal module includes metallic or oxidized iron compounds capable of chemically reacting with selenide or sulfide compounds in the waste water to form iron selenide or iron sulfide precipitates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the anaerobic methane fermentation treatment of a wastewater containing a sulfur compound. An oxidizing agent is added to an organic wastewater to oxidize the sulfur compound contained therein to molecular sulfur before the anaerobic treatment step. The wastewater is then introduced into the anaerobic treatment step for the methane fermentation treatment thereof. The amount of the oxidizing agent to be added to the wastewater is controlled using as an indicator the concentration of the residual oxidizing agent in the water flowing into the anaerobic treatment step and/or the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in a biogas generated. The oxidizing agent may be ozone, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite or a bromine based oxidizing agent. When the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in a biogas generated in the anaerobic treatment step is used as said indicator, the oxidizing agent may be suitably added such that the concentration of hydrogen sulfide is 3% or less.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating organic wastewater and sludge which remarkably reduce the generated amount of sludge at a much lower running cost, and which reduce the size and the capacity of the solubilization tank. The method and apparatus for treating sludge employs a biological treatment system, wherein a biological treatment of wastewater is carried out, and a solid-liquid separation unit for separating a solid from a liquid in the wastewater after the biological treatment, to obtain a treated wastewater and a sludge. The apparatus has a means for obtaining a withdrawn sludge from a part of the sludge and an alkali-treatment tank, wherein an alkali-treatment of the withdrawn sludge is carried out. The apparatus also has a biological solubilization tank which solubilizes the sludge after the alkali-treatment under an anaerobic, anoxic or microaerophilic condition, and a means for recycling the solubilized sludge to the biological treatment system.

Abstract: A method includes: disposing a filter into a body of wastewater containing active sludge, the filter including a supporting member having an outlet, and a filter media enclosing the supporting member and supported by the supporting member so as to have a predetermined firm shape, the filter media including a non-woven substrate and a fibrous filtering layer attached to the non-woven substrate and having a pore diameter ranging from 0.001 to 15 ?m and a layer thickness ranging from 10 to 200 ?m, the fibrous filtering layer being made from fibers having a fiber diameter ranging from 20 to 1000 nm; and driving the wastewater to pass through the filter using a pump connected to the outlet of the supporting member of the filter.

Abstract: A method and a facility for the treatment of waste from concentrated animal feed operations are disclosed. The method includes receiving manure at a central location, digesting the manure and producing therefrom combustible gases, solid matter and water containing dissolved organic pollutants. The combustible gases are used to provide energy and the water is separated from the solid matter. The solid matter is dried to produce a useful bedding material and the water is treated using an activated sludge aeration system to reduce the dissolved organic pollutants to carbon dioxide, bacteria and water. The facility includes various means for executing the method and includes an ultrasonic treatment station for disrupting bacteria cell walls to improve digestion efficiency.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of wastewater is disclosed. The disclosed wastewater treatment system includes a high selectivity reactor coupled to a wastewater treatment reactor, such as an activated sludge treatment basin, membrane bioreactor or sequencing batch reactor. The high selectivity reactor is adapted to receive a liquid stream containing biosolids diverted directly or indirectly from the wastewater treatment reactor. The wastewater treatment system also includes a chemical injection subsystem operatively coupled to the high selectivity reactor and adapted to inject a chemical, such as ozone-enriched gas, into the diverted liquid stream to effect highly selective treatment of the diverted stream. The treated liquid stream is subsequently sent via a return line to the continuously stirred tank reactor or other discharge point.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for removing dissolved contaminants and suspended solids from water employing a magnetic separation technique. The process includes two tanks and magnetic seed. In the first tank, water is clarified by magnetic technologies and in the second tank dissolved solutes are sorbed on magnetic seed.

Abstract: Cationic polymers having a molecular weight greater than about 200,000 can be added to the activated sludge in an MBR for industrial wastewater treatment for reasons, which include: conditioning the activated sludge; improving flux through a membrane in the MBR; reducing fouling of the of the membrane in the MBR; and reducing foaming of the activated sludge in the MBR.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water, including water contaminated with slick water, methanol and boron. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water may further be treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an integrated process and system for water treatment, in particular, an integrated process and system for water treatment in the beverage manufacture cycle. The water treatment process is directed to treating an influent water solution, a low sugar concentration solution, and a high sugar concentration solution. The water treatment system is directed to a system for treating an influent water solution, a system for treating a low sugar concentration solution, and system for treating a high sugar concentration solution.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for treating the waste water contaminated with methanol and boron in addition to other contaminants. The systems and methods allow specifically for the removal of the methanol and boron without the addition of significant chemicals to raise the pH. The water is treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the collection of alkalophilic/alkaline-tolerant microbes and use of said microbes in water glass wastewater treatment. The wastewater is treated directly with alkalophilic/alkaline-tolerant microbes cultured on granular activated carbon without any prior pH adjustment. Subsequently, water glass is separated from the biotreated water by lowering its pH. Alternatively, water glass is separated from biotreated water by distilling the water as water and water glass have different boiling points.

Abstract: A process and a device for biological treatment of a suspension in a bioreactor is described, which is made especially as a loop reactor with a central guide pipe (2) and gas injection (3). In order to be able to use the bioreactor for treatment of renewable raw materials as well, it is proposed that the treated suspension be removed from a zone of the bioreactor with a small solid concentration and the removed suspension be routed out of the bioreactor by way of a tilted discharge (4). In the tilted discharge (4), separation of gas and solids is produced, and at least a portion of the solids is returned against the main suspension flow in the discharge (4) to the bioreactor. In this way, even for treatment media with a high concentration of dissolved compounds and few suspended solids, the biomass is concentrated in the bioreactor.

Abstract: A water treatment equipment has a raw water tank as a mixing section, a micronanobubble generation tank, a floatation tank, and a treated water tank. Waste water as treatment water is introduced into the raw water tank and mixed with the water containing micronanobubbles produced by the micronanobubble generation tank. Thereafter, the waste water, as treatment water, is introduced into a lower mixing section of the floatation tank from the raw tank by a raw water tank pump. Also, treatment water containing fine bubbles is introduced into the lower mixing section from a pressure tank. Therefore, the micronanobubbles is mixed with the fine bubbles in the lower mixing section of the floatation tank, thereby almost all the suspended matter in the treatment water is surfaced. Thus, the water treatment equipment enhances separatability of suspended matter.

Abstract: A method and a plant to remove metals by biosorption from mining or industrial effluents comprising: (a) subject the effluent to at least one first stage of pre-treatment, selecting among: precipitation by pH rising, solvent extraction or solvent extraction on emulsified membranes in order to reduce its load of metals to a concentration level that allows it to be treated by the next stage of biosorption, and (b) subject the liquid that has been previously in the stage of pre-treatment to a second stage of continuous metals removal by biosorption.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment process is provided that entails both a biological or activated sludge process and a ballasted flocculation process. A first stream of wastewater is directed to a biological system for biologically treating the wastewater. The biological treatment process produces a first effluent and a first sludge. In cases where the biological system is an activated sludge process, the first sludge is recycled. A second stream of wastewater is directed to a ballasted flocculation system. The second stream of wastewater can be a stream independent of the first stream of wastewater or can be derived from the wastewater passing through the biological system. Sludge in the form of activated sludge or mixed liquor from the biological system is mixed with a second stream of wastewater in the ballasted flocculation system for the purpose of biologically treating the second stream of wastewater.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for wastewater treatment using a nitrogen/phosphorus removal process combined with a floatation separation of sludge that is replaced by the gravity settling secondary clarifier are provided for effectively removing organic substances, nitrogen, phosphorus, granular substances and the like from wastewater. Al or Fe electrode plate is used for generating the micro bubbles so that phosphorus is removed by Al or Fe ions dissolved from the anode.

Abstract: Pseudo-distillation, steady-state method for purifying dry cleaning solvents containing laundry soils and other contaminants.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater, and more particularly stormwater runoff or domestic waste, wherein the wastewater is directed through a high carbon ash particulate. Contaminants such as phosphorus, nitrogen, BOD and COD can be removed. In addition, treatment of the stormwater runoff or domestic waste with ash will raise the pH of the wastewater, generally to above 10, killing bacteria contained in the wastewater.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating particulate biodegradable organic waste includes a thermal hydrolysis reactor receiving the particulate biodegradable organic waste for performing thermal hydrolysis at a temperature of about 130° C. at a pressure at or above the saturated water vapor pressure of the organic waste to produce a slurry including solubilized organic material and residual solids. A pH adjustment means for adjusting the pH of the particulate biodegradable organic waste as necessary to provide an acidic pH of greater than about 3.15 before thermo hydrolysis of the particulate biodegradable organic waste is provided. Separating means receive the solubilized organic material and residual solids for separating solubilized organic material from the residual solids. An anaerobic reactor is configured to receive the solubilized organic material.

Abstract: Processes for the treatment of organic waste are disclosed comprising digesting organic waste under anaerobic conditions so as to convert at least a portion of the organic waste and produce a clear decant and a mixture of biomass and unconverted organic compounds, returning at least a portion of the mixture of biomass and unconverted organic compounds to the digesting step so as to control the system net growth rate therein, partially oxidizing at least a portion of the mixture of biomass and unconverted organic compounds to produce a conditioned effluent therein, and returning the conditioned effluent to the digesting step.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel biological systems for efficiently reducing nitrate levels and otherwise conditioning aquarium water and water in similar environments.

Abstract: A method of biological treatment is developed for completely removing the compost remaining after decomposing the dissolyed organic matter (COD) in wastewater by the bacteria or fungi.

Abstract: Raw water containing ammonium-nitrogen is introduced into a nitrification tank and nitrification of nitrite-nitrogen by nitrite oxidizing bacteria is inhibited according to inhibition of the ammonium-nitrogen, thereby conducting stable nitrification of nitrous acid type at a high load by the action of ammonium oxidizing bacteria. Carbonate and/or bicarbonate are added into the nitrification tank 1. The inorganic carbon concentration in the nitrification tank 1 is maintained at 35 mg-C/L or more. The nitrified liquid thus obtained is introduced into a denitrification tank and denitrification reaction is conducted by the action of denitrifying bacteria with the remaining ammonium-nitrogen as an electron donor and the nitrite-nitrogen as an electron acceptor.

Abstract: An apparatus for the fixed-film anaerobic digestion of flushed livestock manure includes an enclosed digester tank (fixed or flexible roof), internal media for biofilm development, a biogas collection and flare system, various pumps, and hydraulic control systems. The preferred media has substantially vertically-oriented, uninterrupted channels to promote enhanced bacterial attachment and biofilm development. The immobilization of microbial biomass within the reactor as a biofilm allows effective treatment of the wastewater at ambient and higher temperatures, as well as reasonable hydraulic retention times. The composition and concentration of bacterial groups in the biofilm developed on the media in the fixed-film digester result in a significantly enhanced anaerobic degradation process. This novel fixed-film digester design expands the potential application of anaerobic digestion to dilute livestock waste with significant levels of suspended solids.

Abstract: A photographic waste liquid treatment method comprises an electrolytic oxidation treatment for photographic waste liquid.

Abstract: A method utilizing chlorine dioxide and nitrous acid or other non-charged chemical species for the treatment of biosolids to destroy pathogens is provided. The method uses chlorine dioxide to modulate the ORP of the matrix, acidification of the sludge (biosolids) to a pH of less than 4.0, and provides for the addition of nitrous acid for enhanced disinfection in a closed system to prevent volitalization.

Abstract: Acidic metal-bearing wastewaters are treated to produce a finished water of sufficient purity to meet discharge standards while recovering metals removed in forms which are commercially valuable. The metals are selectively precipitated, either in a batch or in a continuous system, for removal of individual metal products in a specific sequence of steps from the wastewater. In each step, the pH is adjusted to the specific pH range and sulfide ion is introduced to precipitate the metals, excepting the removal of ferric iron and aluminum which is achieved using hydroxide precipitation. Bioconversion process using unique equipment converts sulfate in the wastewater to the hydrogen sulfide gas required for the precipitation process. This bioconversion process reduces the sulfate in the wastewater so that the water can be directly discharged or used for agricultural applications.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an anaerobic biological wastewater treatment system for treating wastewater containing organic contaminants, which includes an anaerobic sludge bed reactor and a dissolved-air flotation tank. The anaerobic sludge bed reactor is used to decompose organic contaminants by way of an anaerobic biological treatment. The dissolved-air flotation tank is used to carry out liquid-solid separation on effluent from the anaerobic sludge bed reactor, so that anaerobic microorganisms entrained in the effluent can be recovered and recycled to the anaerobic sludge bed reactor, thereby enhancing the hydraulic loading of the anaerobic sludge bed reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treatment of predominantly urban sewage plant sludges, characterised in comprising a step for treatment of the sludges by microfungi.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for planarizing or polishing a surface, particularly a semiconductor wafer surface. The polishing compositions described herein comprise (a) a liquid carrier; (b) purified clay; and optional additives, such as (c) a chemical accelerator; and (d) a complexing or coupling agent capable of chemically or ionically complexing with, or coupling to, the metal and/or insulating material removed during the polishing process. The complexing or coupling agent carries away the removed metal and/or silicon dioxide insulator particles, during polishing, to prevent the separated particles from returning to the surface from which they were removed. Also disclosed are methods of planarizing or polishing a surface comprising contacting the surface with the compositions.