The application of shear to carbonate ion containing aluminum hydroxide suspensions caused a change in the apparent viscosity by two possible mechanisms: change in the surface charge because of desorption of specifically adsorbed carbonate ion, and aggregate dispersal and formation of more extensive particle networks. The desorption of specifically adsorbed carbonate ion is related to the expansion of the air-liquid interface during shear. Shear-inducing processing equipment which generates a minimal amount of new air-liquid interface was found to produce the least change in pH and, consequently, in surface charge. However, viscosity increases caused by aggregate dispersal and formation of more extensive particle networks may occur without a shear-induced change in surface charge.