Preliminery Study on Small Alga Removal by Micro-pore Ceramic Filtration and UV Radiation

To solve oceanic environment problem caused by alien species invasion of ballast water, a novel approach of micro-pore ceramic filtration and UV radiation (MPCF&UV) was prompted. This work has studied on the MPCF&UV performance on small alga removal at the flow rate of 1~9m³/h. In the experiment, Chlorella Vulgaris, Nitzschia closterium, Platymonas subcordiformis were chosen as indicator organisms to mix with clean seawater as simulated ballast water. Microscope and SEM was used to analyze alga removal rates and to observe the changes in shape and structure of alga cells. The results show that higher removal percentages were obtained on all the three types of alga, and Platymonas subcordiformis was observed the highest removal rates of up to 100%. By SEM observation, it can be found that micro-pore ceramic filter (MPCF) can only ruin cell walls of the algae, and UV radiation can damage both cell walls and nucleus of the algae.