Using total adenosine triphosphate (tATP) measurements for cyanobacterial bloom monitoring and response assessment during algaecide treatments.

Total adenosine triphosphate (tATP) was investigated for its potential as a rapid indicator of cyanobacterial growth and algaecide effectiveness. tATP and other common bloom monitoring parameters were measured over the growth cycles of cyanobacteria and green algae in laboratory cultures and examined at a drinking water source during an active bloom. Strong correlations (R>0.

Microplastic removal in batch and dynamic coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation systems is controlled by floc size.

Most studies examining the removal of microplastics (MPs) during controlled bench-scale trials have applied high coagulant dosages, which are characteristic of sweep flocculation. As such the impact of other typical operating conditions remains largely unknown. The use of bench-scale jar testing is ubiquitous in the literature, however the hydrodynamics of a batch-type approach bear little resemblance to full-scale treatment processes.

Adsorption of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Microcystins by Virgin and Weathered Microplastics in Freshwater Matrices.

Microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) both represent persistent groups of environmental contaminants that have been associated with human health risks. Microcystin toxins are produced and stored in the cells of cyanobacteria and may be released into sources of drinking water. Recent concerns have emerged regarding the ability of microplastics to adsorb a range of organic contaminants, including PFAS and microcystins.

Comparison of pipe loop and pipe section reactor methods for estimating chloramine decay in harvested distribution system pipes.

To assess chloramine decay, this study compared the use of pipe loops, which incorporate continuously flowing water, to static pipe section reactors (PSRs). Unlined cast iron (UCI) and cement-lined ductile iron (CLDI) were harvested from distribution systems. These were directly compared to virgin polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe at low (0.

Microplastic Removal from Drinking Water Using Point-of-Use Devices.

The occurrence of microplastics in drinking water has drawn increasing attention due to their ubiquity and unresolved implications regarding human health. Despite achieving high reduction efficiencies (70 to >90%) at conventional drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs), microplastics remain. Since human consumption represents a small portion of typical household water use, point-of-use (POU) water treatment devices may provide the additional removal of microplastics (MPs) prior to consumption.

Defining the Chemical Additives Driving Toxicities of Plastics.

Increases in the global use of plastics have caused concerns regarding potential adverse effects on human health. Plastic products contain hundreds of potentially toxic chemical additives, yet the exact chemicals which drive toxicity currently remain unknown. In this study, we employed nontargeted analysis and bioassays to identify the toxicity drivers in plastics.

Adsorption of fluoranthene and phenanthrene by virgin and weathered polyethylene microplastics in freshwaters.

Concern exists regarding potential health impacts associated with contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) that adsorb to microplastics (MPs). Previous studies have examined MPs as potential contaminant vectors in marine environments as opposed to freshwaters that represent drinking water sources. This study examined adsorption of two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phenanthrene and fluoranthene, by virgin and weathered polyethylene (PE) in both artificial and natural freshwater matrices.

Benthic cyanobacteria: A utility-centred field study.

Although there is growing evidence that benthic cyanobacteria represent a significant source of toxins and taste and odour (T&O) compounds in water bodies globally, water utilities rarely monitor for them. Benthic cyanobacteria grow in an array of matrices such as sediments, biofilms, and floating mats, and they can detach and colonize treatment plants. The occurrence of compounds produced by benthic species across matrix and climate types has not been systematically investigated.

Evaluation of ultraviolet/peracetic acid to degrade M. aeruginosa and microcystins -LR and -RR.

The reactivity of peracetic acid (PAA) alone, and PAA exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UV), was investigated on Microcystis aeruginosa cells, and on microcystin-LR and -RR. Reaction rates between PAA and MC-LR (k = 3.46 M s) and MC-RR (k = 2.

Conventional and biological treatment for the removal of microplastics from drinking water.

This study examines the removal of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles (>10 μm) from surface water by a full-scale conventional drinking water treatment plant. The treatment process is composed of coagulation with aluminum hydroxide, flocculation, anthracite-sand filtration, and chlorination. Samples were also collected from pilot-scale biological filters consisting of anthracite-sand or granular activated carbon (GAC) media operated with or without pre-ozonation and at a range of different empty-bed contact times (EBCTs).

Assessment of microplastic sampling and extraction methods for drinking waters.

To date, no standardized methods have been proposed for conducting microplastic analyses in treated drinking waters, resulting in challenges associated with direct comparisons among studies. This study compares known methods for collecting and extracting microplastics from drinking waters: an in-laboratory (in-lab) filtration method and an in-line filtration method (i.e.

Machine learning for anomaly detection in cyanobacterial fluorescence signals.

Many drinking water utilities drawing from waters susceptible to harmful algal blooms (HABs) are implementing monitoring tools that can alert them to the onset of blooms. Some have invested in fluorescence-based online monitoring probes to measure phycocyanin, a pigment found in cyanobacteria, but it is not clear how to best use the data generated. Previous studies have focused on correlating phycocyanin fluorescence and cyanobacteria cell counts.

Cyanotoxins and Cyanobacteria Cell Accumulations in Drinking Water Treatment Plants with a Low Risk of Bloom Formation at the Source.

Toxic cyanobacteria have been shown to accumulate in drinking water treatment plants that are susceptible to algal blooms. However, the risk for plants that do not experience algal blooms, but that receive a low influx of cells, is not well known. This study determined the extent of cell accumulation and presence of cyanotoxins across the treatment trains of four plants in the Great Lakes region.