TOP

Researcher Finds New Methods to Extract Harmful Algae | Ohio Sea Grant

[ ☰ ] Ohio State University

The Ohio State University

Ohio Sea Grant

/news/2006/b1217

Researcher Finds New Methods to Extract Harmful Algae

12:00 pm, Tue August 15, 2006 –

Ohio Sea Grant researcher Dr. Hal Walker has discovered an efficient method to remove 95% of harmful microcystins from Lake Erie drinking water, using a combination of powdered activated carbon and ultrafiltration technologies.

Microcystis, a form of blue-green algae, which occur in Lake Erie during the warm summer months, generate toxins (called microcystins) that can cause health problems if consumed by humans or animals.

Water treatment facilities, however, do not specifically treat drinking water for microcystins and many of the conventional removal processes are ineffective on them.

"With 13 million people relying on Lake Erie for their two billion gallons of water annually, microcystin toxins in drinking water have become a growing concern," says Dr. Walker, Associate Professor at The Ohio State University’s Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geodetic Science Department.

To remove the toxins, Walker coupled two removal processes: microcystin first attached to small powdered activated carbon (PAC) particles; and a membrane filter then separated the PAC and microcystin from the water.

The result of the two technologies was a 95% removal of the toxin from the water.

Twine Line Article

Read the Twine Line Article* (* .pdf format)

For More About This Ohio Sea Grant Funded Project

Dr. Hal Walker, Ohio State University at 614.292.8263 or Jill Jentes Banicki, Ohio Sea Grant at 614.292.8949

ARTICLE TITLE: Researcher Finds New Methods to Extract Harmful Algae PUBLISHED: 12:00 pm, Tue August 15, 2006 | MODIFIED: 1:12 pm, Tue April 28, 2015
Share Streams Print
Jill Jentes Banicki
Assistant Director, Communications, Ohio Sea Grant College Program

Jill Jentes Banicki is the Assistant Director and Communications Coordinator of Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory.