Removal of cyanobacterial cells and Microcystin-LR from drinking water using a hollow fiber microfiltration pilot plant Original Research Article

Various species of cyanobacteria may produce cyanotoxins, bad smell and taste and cause a deterioration of the waterʹs sensory characteristics and serious harmful effects on human health. This study investigates the possibility of removing total algae and cyanobacteria from lake water by means of a hollow fiber microfiltration pilot plant (2–4 m3/h). The influence of these treatments on water chemical and microbiological quality was evaluated too. Among the seventeen species of cyanobacteria analyzed, the highest density in the feed water was observed for Anabaena lemmermannii while the species most frequently detected was Microcystaceae D5. Microfiltration was able to achieve removal rates higher than 98% for a large number of species of cyanobacteria and the removal efficiency of total algae content was about 98–99%. Moreover, no release of toxins into the permeate water was observed during water treatment. Microfiltration was able to guarantee also good removal yields for turbidity (> 90%), suspended solids (yield > 80%) and organic compounds (yield of about 70% for UV absorbance at 254 nm).