Avaliação da filtração em margem como pré-tratamento à filtração direta descendente na remoção de células de cianobactérias e saxitoxinas

Abstract

Currently, water treatment plants, which utilize downflow direct filtration technology, have been facing problems such as cyanobacteria growth within water sources. Depending on the species involved, the resulting water quality may be jeopardized due to the cyanobacterial ability to produce saxitoxins. They also obstruct the filter systems that may be damaged. Downflow direct filtering technologies may not be recommended for water treatment of sources with high cyanobacterial density. Its application could only be considered after a pre-treatment stage. Some removal technologies are available in the market; though efficient, they are not under economic and practical possibilities. This paper intends to utilize Bank filtration as a pre-treatment for downflow direct filtration in order to present a low-cost treatment option for proper water quality, and the removal of both cyanobacteria and saxitoxins. Experimental investigations were conducted on the Laboratório de Águas da Lagoa do Peri - LALP and at the water potabilization laboratory (Laboratório de Potabilização de Água - LAPOA/UFSC) under the following stages: 1) Characterization of Peri Lake water (Water I), of Bank filtration water (Water II), and of study water (Water III = 85% FM + 15% Lake); 2) Continuous and non-continuous bench tests in order to determine saxitoxin adsorption and removal by sedimentation of the Peri Lake water source; 3) Bench tests on coagulant and coagulant aid dosage optimization; 4) Continuous testing using the optimal doses previously determined in order to follow cyanobacteria and saxitoxin identification and quantification. Saxitoxin analysis was performed using HPLC with post-column derivation and fluorescence detection. Results demonstrated that saxitoxins (STX) have more affinity with sediments when compared with neosaxitoxins (NEO). A complete removal of STX occurred in less than 5 days; in turn, NEO required more time # approximately 15 days. Bank filtration has proved to be a promising technology for cyanobacterial cells and saxitoxin removal. Bank filtration used as a pre-treatment caused the filtration system to last 3-4 times longer, reducing up to 50% of aluminum sulfate dosages. Phytoplankton evaluation showed a smaller cell density on the systems using bank filtration as pre-treatment (9,795 cell/mL in treated water). Results have shown the importance of conditioning water with high density of potentially toxic cyanobacteria before downflow direct filtration. Regarding saxitoxin removal, no saxitoxins were detected on the Water II samples. After complete treatment, 0,05 mg/L intracellular EqSTX was detected. Although under the limiting values, equivalent concentrations in the treated water must be considered, especially considering that the frequent consumption effects of low saxitoxin dosages on human health are unknown.