Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2025

Keywords

microcystin; electrocoagulation; polyaluminum chloride; fouling; nanofiltration

Abstract

Microcystin-LR (MCLR) is a toxin produced by harmful algal blooms that is emerging as a threat to drinking and recreational water systems worldwide. Nanofiltration (NF) is an effective technique for purifying contaminated water sources; however, membrane fouling caused by coexisting organic matter limits the practicality of the process. This research studies the use of an electrocoagulation (EC) pretreatment to limit fouling during the NF process. Water for this study was taken from Lake Fayetteville, a local body of water where MCLR concentrations have been recorded to be >15 µg/L. EC was performed using polyaluminum chloride as a background electrolyte at various operating conditions. EC-treated water was then further treated with NF to assess the impact of the EC pretreatment on NF fouling. It was found that the larger particle size of the sludge produced using aluminum electrodes at pH 7 had the best combination of settling ability and organic carbon removal (92%). This also led to the smallest flux decline during six-hour NF experiments of just 9%. These results highlight the potential of an EC pretreatment as an antifouling technique for the NF treatment of water contaminated with algal toxins.

Comments

Web of Science

Download

Share

COinS