Silica in water is present mostly as reactive ordissolved silica. In surface waters, a small quantityof non-reactive silica (in colloidal dimensions)may also be present during some parts of theyear, especially during the monsoon.As water passes through and over various soilsinto our lakes and rivers, the formation of carbondioxide and organic acids resulting frommicrobial activity results in acid degradation ofthe silicate minerals (particularly clay particles).This acid attack on minerals will dissolve the iron, aluminum etc. and interaction of thesecomponents with silica results in the formation ofcolloidal silica that is stabilised with a coating oforganic matter.
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