Bacteriophage removal by Ni/Al layered double hydroxide in batch and flow-through column experiments

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the removal of the bacteriophage MS2 by Ni/Al layered double hydroxide (LDH). Batch experiments were performed using a powder form of Ni/Al LDH under various conditions. Column experiments were also performed under flow-through conditions with Ni/Al LDH coated sand. Batch tests showed that the powder form of Ni/Al LDH was effective for bacteriophage removal under the given experimental conditions (LDH dose of 2.5 g L−1; initial MS2 concentration of 1.35 × 105 plaque forming unit (pfu) mL−1) with a removal capacity of 5.5 × 107 pfu g−1. The results also indicated that the effect of the solution pH on the bacteriophage removal was minimal at pH 4.3−9.4. The influence of divalent anions (SO2− 4, CO2− 3, HPO2− 4; concentrations 1−100 mM) on the removal of the bacteriophage was significant, while the effects of monovalent anions (NO− 3, Cl−) were negligible. Column experiments showed that the log removal of MS2 was 4.51 in columns containing 100% Ni/Al LDH-coated sand, while it was 0.02 in columns containing 100% quartz sand (initial MS2 concentration of approximately 7.0 × 105 pfu mL−1; flow rate of 0.5 mL min−1). These findings indicated that Ni/Al LDH-coated sand was far more effective at removing bacteriophage than sand alone. This study demonstrates that Ni/Al LDH can be used for virus removal in water treatment and filtration applications.