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Methylated mud snail protein as a bio-flocculant for high turbidity wastewater treatment

Shaohui Mao1, Xiaohui Xu2, Linjiang Zhang1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, No. 126, Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China.

Water Science and Technology : a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research
|August 13, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Methylated mud snail protein (MeMsp) offers an eco-friendly solution for treating high turbidity wastewater. This modified protein demonstrates excellent flocculation efficiency and a wide pH operating range, making it a promising sustainable treatment option.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Biotechnology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • High turbidity wastewater poses environmental challenges.
  • Existing flocculants may have environmental drawbacks.
  • Novel, eco-friendly flocculants are needed for effective wastewater treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and evaluate methylated mud snail protein (MeMsp) as an eco-friendly flocculant.
  • To investigate the structural characteristics and flocculation performance of MeMsp.
  • To explore the application of MeMsp in treating high turbidity wastewater.

Main Methods:

  • Mud snail protein (Msp) extracted via isoelectric precipitation (PSC-IP).
  • Msp methylation achieved through esterification of side-chain carboxyl groups.
  • Structural characterization using FT-IR, zeta potential, and elemental analysis.
  • Flocculation experiments using kaolin suspension and railway tunnel construction effluent.

Main Results:

  • Successful methylation confirmed by structural characterization.
  • MeMsp-24 demonstrated high flocculation efficiency (97.46% clarification) at low dosage (27 mg/L) and neutral pH.
  • MeMsp-24 exhibited a broad effective pH range (1.0-9.0), faster sedimentation, and larger flocs.
  • Achieved 92.12% clarification efficiency on railway tunnel construction effluent.
  • Flocculation mechanism involves charge neutralization and adhesion.

Conclusions:

  • MeMsp is a highly effective and eco-friendly flocculant for high turbidity wastewater.
  • Methylation significantly enhances the flocculation performance of mud snail protein.
  • MeMsp shows potential for sustainable industrial wastewater treatment applications.

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