Inactivation of algal blooms in eutrophic waterof drinking water supplies with the photocatalysisof TiO2 thin film on hollow glass beads

Abstract

Photocatalytic inactivation of algae, Anabaena, Microcystis, and Melosira, was carried out with TiO2-coated Pyrex hollow glass beads under the illumination of UV light (370 nm wavelength). After being irradiated with UV light in the presence of the TiO2-coated Pyrex glass beads, Anabaena and Microcystis, known as typical cyanobacteria, lost their photosynthetic activity, and the string of Anabaena cells and the colonies of Microcystis cells were completely separated into individual spherical ones. In the case of Melosira, which is a typical diatom, however, somewhat lower photocatalytic inactivation efficiency was obtained, which was believed to be due to the presence of the inorganic siliceous wall surrounding the cells of Melosira. The TiO2-coated hollow glass beads could successfully be employed for the practical application in a eutrophicated river under sunlight. More than 50% of the chlorophyll-a concentration could be reduced by the action of TiO2 photocatalysis.