Removal of a potent cyanobacterial hepatotoxin by peat.
Microcystins (cyclic heptapeptides), produced by a number of freshwater cyanobacteria, are of health concern in potable water supplies. In this article, the adsorptive removal of microcystin-RR (MCRR) from the aqueous solution by a low-cost adsorbent, peat, was investigated. The BET surface area of peat was found to be 12.134 m2/g. The adsorption process was pH dependent, with maximum adsorption occurring at pH 3. Kinetic studies revealed that the adsorption of MCRR onto peat was a rapid process. The adsorption capacity (Qmax) as revealed by the Langmuir model was found to be 286 μg/g at pH 3. Among various desorption media studied, strong alkali solutions (2 N NaOH) showed the highest desorption (97%). Thus, peat has potential to be used as an adsorbent for the removal of the cyanotoxin, MCRR, from drinking water.
Sathishkumar
M
M
Singapore-Delft Water Alliance, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Pavagadhi
S
S
Mahadevan
A
A
Balasubramanian
R
R
Burger
D F
DF
D000327:Adsorption; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007214:Indonesia; D007700:Kinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008387:Marine Toxins; D052998:Microcystins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards
D008387:Marine Toxins; D052998:Microcystins; D012987:Soil; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C063855:microcystin RR