US EPA

7443666 

Journal Article 

Using coagulation, flocculation, and settling to remove toxic cyanobacteria 

Drikas, M; Chow, CWK; House, J; Burch, MD 

2001 

1 

Journal of the American Water Works Association
ISSN: 0003-150X
EISSN: 1551-8833 

WILEY 

HOBOKEN 

93 

2 

100-111 

English 

10.1002/j.1551-8833.2001.tb09130.x 

WOS:000168836600028 

http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/j.1551-8833.2001.tb09130.x
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Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) produce toxins and tastes and odors that can significantly impair water quality. The removal of cyanobacterial cells without cell damage could significantly reduce the concentration of tastes, odors, and toxic cell metabolites present in treated water. Cultured cyanobacterium, hepatotoxic Microcystis aeruginosa, was mixed with reservoir water to simulate water entering a treatment plant during an algal bloom. A bench-top jar-test apparatus (flocculation) and a full-scale pilot plant (flocculation-sedimentation-filtration) rated at 600 mL/min were used to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional water treatment processes in removing cyanobacterial cells. Removal of cells by flocculation using a jar-test apparatus with aluminum sulfate dosed at concentrations used in water treatment practice varied between 70 and 83%. Results obtained from the pilot experiment indicated 99.9% of the cells were removed. More important, no additional release of microcystin (toxin) was found in the finished. (flocculation-sedimentation-filtration) rated at 600 mt/min were used to evaluate the effectiveness of convendonal water treatment processes in removing cyanobacterial cells. Removal of cells by flocculation using a jar-test apparatus with aluminum sulfate dosed at concentrations used in water treatment practice varied between 70 and 83%. Results obtained from the pilot experiment indicated 99.9% of the cells were removed. More important, no additional release of microcystin (toxin) was found in the finished water. 

Bacteria; Cells; Coagulation; Flocculation; Metabolites; Removal; Sedimentation; Toxicity; Water quality; Water treatment plants; Algal bloom; Cell damage; Microcystin; Microcystis aeruginosa; Toxic cyanobacteria; Biological water treatment; algae; Bacteria (microorganisms); Chlorophyta; Cyanobacteria; Microcystis aeruginosa