Removal of a potent cyanobacterial hepatotoxin by peat

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 2010 Dec;45(14):1877-84. doi: 10.1080/10934529.2010.520598.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Cyanobacteria / growth & development*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Indonesia
  • Kinetics
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Marine Toxins
  • Microcystins / analysis*
  • Microcystins / toxicity
  • Soil / chemistry*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity
  • Water Purification / methods*
  • Water Supply / standards

Substances

  • Marine Toxins
  • Microcystins
  • Soil
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • microcystin RR