Microcystins, a potent class of hepatotoxins produced by cyanobacteria, have become a significant public health problem in the Great Lakes and in other freshwater systems due to an increased incidence of harmful algal blooms. Mesoporous organosilica sorbents have been developed to mimic the active sites of serine-threonine protein phosphatase targets of microcystin. The organosilica has hydrophobic mesopores which are thiol- and amine-functionalized to promote a Michael addition covalent bonding reaction between the media and the conserved vinyl group of microcystins. Formation of a covalent adduct deactivates the microcystin toxicity and prevents leaching, allowing safe disposal of spent media. The ratio of hydrophobic groups to amine and thiol groups was varied to optimize porosity and microcystin binding capacity. Adsorption of the biomimetic sorbents for microcystin-LR was compared to both powdered and granular activated carbon using adsorption isotherms and column experiments. Biomimetic sorbent was effective at microcystin-LR removal with a capacity of &gt;5,000 ug/g, requiring contact times of less than 5 minutes. Powdered activated carbon was also effective at removing microcystin-LR; however, granular activated carbon did not give sufficient performance for microcystin removal.

Biomimetic adsorbents for the removal of microcystins from water

251st National Meeting (2016)

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