Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Autofluorescence Imaging to Evaluate Red Algae Physiology
05:54

Autofluorescence Imaging to Evaluate Red Algae Physiology

Published on: February 17, 2023

[Morphological characteristics of algae floc and its relation with flotation]

Yu-Heng Wang1, Qi-Shan Wang, Yu-Bao Wu

  • 1College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China. sun_wangyh@sina.com

Huan Jing Ke Xue= Huanjing Kexue
|July 25, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Polyaluminium chloride effectively removes Microcystis aeruginosa through coagulation-flotation. Optimal conditions enhance floc structure, size, and adherence to bubbles for improved water treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Water Treatment Technologies
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Microcystis aeruginosa (MA) blooms pose significant risks to water quality and ecosystem health.
  • Conventional water treatment methods may struggle with efficient removal of cyanobacteria.
  • Polyaluminium chloride (PAC) is a common coagulant used in water treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the removal efficiency of Microcystis aeruginosa using polyaluminium chloride (PAC) in a coagulation-flotation process.
  • To analyze the morphological characteristics of PAC-MA flocs under varying coagulation conditions.
  • To establish correlations between coagulation parameters, floc characteristics, and removal effectiveness.

Main Methods:

  • Coagulation-flotation experiments were conducted with varying PAC dosages, stirring strengths, and reaction times.
  • Floc morphology was characterized using image analysis to determine fractal dimensions.
  • Removal efficiency was assessed based on the reduction of Microcystis aeruginosa.

Main Results:

  • Optimal PAC dosage was found to be 5.6 - 9.8 mg/L Al2O3, with flocculation reaction times of 5 - 8 minutes and stirring strengths of 50 - 80 s(-1).
  • Floc fractal dimensions (D2) ranged from 1.1688 to 1.2357, with average diameters between 300 and 500 micrometers under optimal conditions.
  • Floc structure, diameter variation, and branching significantly influenced adherence to bubbles.

Conclusions:

  • The coagulation-flotation process using PAC is effective for removing Microcystis aeruginosa.
  • Floc characteristics, particularly looser structures with greater diameter variation and branching, enhance bubble adherence and removal efficiency.
  • Optimizing coagulation parameters is crucial for maximizing the removal of Microcystis aeruginosa and improving water quality.

More Related Videos

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae07:44

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae

Published on: October 1, 2013

Measuring Photophysiology of Attached Stage of Colacium sp. by a Cuvette-Type Fast Repetition Rate Fluorometer07:03

Measuring Photophysiology of Attached Stage of Colacium sp. by a Cuvette-Type Fast Repetition Rate Fluorometer

Published on: November 12, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Other Algae01:19

Other Algae

The group Stramenopiles include some phototrophic microorganisms. Members of this group possess flagella covered in numerous short, hairlike extensions, a feature that inspired the group's name, derived from the Latin words for "straw" and "hair." Some of the main categories of Stramenopiles include diatoms, golden algae, and brown algae.Diatoms are unicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes, with over 200 known genera. They play a key role in the planktonic communities of both marine and...
Overview of Algae01:28

Overview of Algae

The kingdom Archaeplastida encompasses red and green algae, along with land plants. Unlike other protists with chloroplasts that arose through secondary endosymbiosis, only red and green algae originated from primary endosymbiotic events. This diverse group of eukaryotic organisms contains chlorophyll and performs oxygenic photosynthesis.Algae exist in various forms, from large brown kelp in coastal waters to green scum in puddles and stains on rocks or soil. Some species are responsible for...
Green Algae01:21

Green Algae

Green algae, also referred to as chlorophytes, are different from red algae in having the chloroplasts containing chlorophylls a and b, which give them their distinct green hue. However, they lack phycobiliproteins, preventing them from developing the red or blue-green pigmentation seen in red algae. In terms of photosynthetic pigment composition, green algae closely resemble plants and share a close evolutionary relationship with them. Taxonomically Green algae belong to Phylum Chlorophyta in...
Red Algae01:23

Red Algae

Red algae, also known as rhodophytes, are primarily found in marine environments, though some species inhabit freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. These organisms exist in both unicellular and multicellular forms, with some multicellular varieties reaching macroscopic sizes.As phototrophic organisms, red algae contain chlorophyll a; however, their chloroplasts lack chlorophyll b. Instead, they possess phycobiliproteins, which serve as major light-harvesting pigments, similar to those found in...
Biofuels01:25

Biofuels

The microbial conversion of organic matter into biofuels holds potential as a renewable energy source. Among biofuel sources, microalgae are recognized as a highly efficient and adaptable feedstock for biodiesel production, owing to their rapid biomass accumulation, elevated lipid productivity, and capacity to proliferate in diverse aquatic systems, including freshwater, marine, and wastewater habitats. Unlike terrestrial crops, microalgae do not compete for land and can achieve significantly...
Colloids03:22

Colloids

Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles that are visible to the naked eye or can be seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which no settling occurs and in which the dissolved...