Solar Photocatalysis Using Fixed-Film TiO2 for Microcystins from Colonial Microcystis aeruginosa

Autor: John H. Rodgers, Alyssa J. Calomeni, Ciera M. Kinley, Tyler D. Geer, Maas Hendrikse
Rok vydání: 2018
Předmět:
Zdroj: Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. 229
ISSN: 1573-2932
0049-6979
DOI: 10.1007/s11270-018-3791-4
Popis: Microcystins (MCs) are endotoxins produced by cyanobacteria in freshwaters globally. With known potential for human health risks, rapid and effective treatment methods are needed for MCs. Previous studies have shown photocatalysis can achieve rapid half-lives with UV lamps and slurries of TiO2. In this experiment, rates and extents of solar photocatalysis of MCs were measured using bench-scale reactors with fixed films of TiO2 for solutions with a range of cellular:aqueous MC ratios. Since cellular MCs can be removed physically, photocatalysis rates were measured following sand filtration to discern the extent of MC removal post-filtration. Since UV energy drives photocatalysis using TiO2, rates of removal were calculated as a function of cumulative UV insolation and time. For water containing 90% aqueous MC treatment, filtration removed 0% MCs, and the photocatalysis half-life for MCs was 0.37 MJ/m2 (or 135 min). Previous studies have used clarified waters; however, results from this study are likely representative of scenarios with waters containing confounding water characteristics and use of solar light for UV, as anticipated in developing countries with less advanced water treatment methods. Photocatalysis is a rapid and effective process for decreasing concentrations of MCs and could be useful for mitigating risks from MC exposures in drinking water.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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