Abstract
In the present study, we applied an adsorption-based strategy for the removal of a harmful cyanobacterial species, Microcystis aeruginosa, using cotton fiber. Considering the negatively charged surface properties of M. aeruginosa cells in aqueous phases, aminated cotton fibers were prepared through polyethyleneimine (PEI) modification on the pristine cotton fibers. The aminated surface properties of PEI-modified cotton fiber (PEI-cotton) were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and potentiometric titration analyses. The pristine cotton fiber could not remove the M. aeruginosa cells, but the PEI-cotton could efficiently remove 98.7% of M. aeruginosa cells from the aqueous medium. In addition, removed cells could be observed on the sorbent surface by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis. PEI-cotton fabricated in 3% PEI solution could remove M. aeruginosa cells (97.9%) more efficiently compared to that fabricated in 1% (82.1%) and 2% (86.2%) of PEI solutions. From the toxicity assessment of the PEI-cotton using Daphnia magna, negligible toxicity of PEI-cotton was confirmed. Our results indicate that the application of PEI-cotton fibers for the removal of M. aeruginosa cells could be suggested as a feasible, effective, and eco-friendly method of harmful algal bloom (HAB) control in water resources.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 111235 |
Journal | Environmental Research |
Volume | 197 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 Jun |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was financially supported by the OJeong Eco-Resilience Institute (OJERI) of Korea University and by National Research Foundation of Korea grants (Grant Nos.: 2018R1A6A3A11045442 and 2019R1A2C2087449 ).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Inc.
Keywords
- Adsorption
- Cotton
- Harmful algal blooms (HABs)
- Microcystis aeruginosa
- Modification
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- General Environmental Science