Algae-Based Solution Removes Chemicals in Polluted Water

A new purification method using a specific type of algae provides an alternative solution to eliminating chemicals from bodies of water.

Researchers at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) demonstrated in their published study how diatoms can effectively purify chemically modified or contaminated water. Dr. Anzhela Galstyan, a junior professor at UDE and the study's team leader, shared what diatoms are and why they are a viable option for purifying water:

"Diatoms are microscopic single-celled organisms that live in water and possess a cell wall made of silica (silicon dioxide). Thanks to its porous structure, it can absorb a wide variety of pollutants."

The team studied diatom shells' ability to eliminate water chemicals under various conditions, such as different pH levels and salt concentrations. They tested them on methylene blue and methyl orange, two pollutants commonly found in groundwater and rivers due to the textile industry. They added specific functional groups to the surface of the diatomaceous earth to chemically modify them and enhance their adsorption capacity.

Results showed that said algae consistently removed pollutants regardless of the conditions. It also achieved better efficiency compared to silica, a well-established and widely used material in water purification. Diatomaceous earth removed up to 100 percent of methylene blue within an hour, while silica removed only 88 percent. Both materials, however, eliminated about 70 percent of methyl orange in the same period.

Citing diatomaceous earth as an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for water treatment, UDE researchers are exploring next how diatomaceous earth can be integrated into water purification membranes.

Read the full article here for more insights from the researchers.

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