Natural organic matter removal from algal-rich water and disinfection by-products formation potential reduction by powdered activated carbon adsorption.

Algal blooms intensified operational problems in water treatment due to the increases of taste- and odor-causing compounds and natural organic matter (NOM). Effects of powdered activated carbon (PAC) addition during algal blooms on NOM removal was investigated in this study using an algal-rich water. Water quality analyses including dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV) and specific UV absorbance (SUVA) were performed to elucidate characteristics of NOM removal by PAC adsorption.