Practices that Prevent the Formation of Cyanobacterial Blooms in Water Resources and Remove Cyanotoxins During Physical Treatment of Drinking Water

Abstract

This chapter summarizes the findings of different studies on the prevention and elimination of cyanobacterial blooms in raw water resources as well as the removal of cyanotoxins during water treatment with physical processes. Treatments that can be applied at the source water and limit bloom formation include aeration and chemical addition (e.g., copper sulfate and algaecides). Efficiencies of conventional treatment processes such as coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and membrane processes for the removal of both cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins are also discussed. In addition, adsorption of cyanotoxins on activated carbon (AC) and several micro- and nanomaterials is presented. Finally, integrated treatment examples are reported with a specific reference to a lab study on powdered AC-ultrafiltration technologies for the removal of cyanotoxins.