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Removal of microcystins from a waste stabilisation lagoon: evaluation of a packed-bed continuous flow TiO2 reactor.

Pestana, Carlos J.; Hobson, Peter; Robertson, Peter K.J.; Lawton, Linda A.; Newcombe, Gayle

Authors

Peter Hobson

Peter K.J. Robertson

Gayle Newcombe



Abstract

Photocatalysis has been shown to successfully remove microcystins (MC) in laboratory experiments. Most research to date has been performed under ideal conditions in pure or ultrapure water. In this investigation the efficiency of photocatalysis using titanium dioxide was examined in a complex matrix (waste stabilisation lagoon water). A flow-through photocatalytic reactor was used for the photocatalytic removal of four commonly-occurring microcystin analogues (MC-YR, MC-RR, MC-LR, and MC-LA). Up to 51% removal for single MC analogues in waste lagoon water was observed. Similar removal rates were observed when a mixture of all four MC analogues was treated. Although treatment of MC-containing cyanobacterial cells of Microcystis aeruginosa resulted in no decline in cell numbers, or viability with the current reactor design and treatment regime, the photocatalytic treatment did improve the overall quality of waste lagoon water. This study demonstrates that, despite the presence of natural organic matter, the microcystins could be successfully degraded in a complex environmental matrix.

Citation

PESTANA, C.J., HOBSON, P., ROBERTSON, P.K.J., LAWTON, L.A. and NEWCOMBE, G. 2020. Removal of microcystins from a waste stabilisation lagoon: evaluation of a packed-bed continuous flow TiO2 reactor. Chemosphere [online], 245, article number 125575. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125575

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 7, 2019
Online Publication Date Dec 10, 2019
Publication Date Apr 30, 2020
Deposit Date Jan 27, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Chemosphere
Print ISSN 0045-6535
Electronic ISSN 1879-1298
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 245
Article Number 125575
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125575
Keywords Microcystins; Cyanobacteria; Photocatalysis; Titanium Dioxide; Waste water treatment
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/817108