ENVR 169 |
| The increasing occurrence of cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms and their toxins has become problematic in drinking water treatment, since conventional treatment processes have been shown inefficient to completely remove the toxicity of the affected water bodies. Currently, advanced oxidation technologies and especially TiO2 photocatalysis is being utilized for the treatment of cyanotoxins because of its high degradation and mineralization efficiencies. However, its activation is limited to UV irradiation, thus, restricting it to in situ applications. Current work on the degradation of the cyanotoxin microcystin-LR with solar light-activated nitrogen-doped TiO2 nanoparticles, fabricated with novel nanotechnological methods, has shown high degradation rates of the toxin in acidified MilliQ water. Since the presence of inorganic and organic compounds may affect the effectiveness of this catalyst in natural water, this study determines the effects of pH, alkalinity, natural organic matter (NOM) and initial toxin concentration on the photodegradation of microcystin-LR. |
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Advances in Abiotic Transformation Processes for Micropollutants in Drinking Water and for Sourcewater Protection
8:30 AM-12:10 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 237, Oral
Division of Environmental Chemistry |