The removal of algal biomass and extracellular products from water

The removal of algal biomass and algal extracellular products (ECPs) from eutrophic water is studied using various physical chemical methods including coagulation/precipitation, powdered activated carbon (PAC) adsorption and combination of coagulation/ precipitation and activated carbon adsorption. The removal efficiencies of algae and TOC are 96% and 81%, respectively, by coagulation/ precipitation method. Moreover, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is divided into four groups based on molecular weight distribution. It is found that coagulation/ precipitation process has good DOC removal efficiency for high molecular weight groups whereas PAC adsorption is particularly effective of the removal of DOC of low molecular weight. It is also discovered that the removal efficiency is synergistic by coagulation/ precipitation followed by PAC adsorption. The formations of THMFP/ DOC and AOXFP/DOC are higher with high molecular weight groups than those with low molecular weight groups.