Modify particles in rows (12)

I believe the answer is:

altercations

I believe this clue is a double definition.

'modify particles' is the first definition.
(modify = alter, particles = cations)

'rows' is the second definition.
(altercation is a kind of row)

'in' is the link.

(Another definition for altercations that I've seen is " Noisy arguments".)

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