Degradation of Microcystin-LR through Biological Sand Filters
Publication: Practice Periodical of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Management
Volume 11, Issue 3
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are a global problem as they are able to produce compounds which can compromise the quality of potable water. Of major concern are the microcystin toxins which in dissolved form are not well removed by conventional water treatment processes. This study showed that microcystin-LR (MCLR) could be effectively removed from water using laboratory biological sand filters with complete removals observed under a range of conditions, including various sand and water combinations, different initial MCLR concentrations, and also two different temperatures. Molecular techniques allowed for the isolation of a bacterium, from the biofilm of one of the filters, which was shown to contain , a gene previously documented to be involved in the biodegradation of MCLR. This gene was also identified within the biofilm of two additional filters strongly suggesting that the removal of MCLR through the filters was through biological action.
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Acknowledgments
The writers acknowledge Thomas Meyn, Bridget McDowall, Bianka Schertenleib, and Julia Warstat for their assistance in maintaining the biological sand filters.
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Published In
Practice Periodical of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Management
Volume 11 • Issue 3 • July 2007
Pages: 191 - 196
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Jan 12, 2007
Accepted: Mar 12, 2007
Published online: Jul 1, 2007
Published in print: Jul 2007
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