First Report on Cyanotoxin (MC-LR) Removal from Surface Water by Multi-Soil-Layering (MSL) Eco-Technology: Preliminary Results

Cyanobacteria blooms occur frequently in freshwaters around the world. Some can produce and release toxic compounds called cyanotoxins, which represent a danger to both environment human health. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is most variant reported all over Conventional water treatment methods are expensive require specialized personnel equipment. Recently, multi-soil-layering (MSL) system, natural low-cost technology, has been introduced as an attractive cost-effective, environmentally friendly technology that likely be alternative conventional wastewater methods. This study aims evaluate, for first time, efficiency of MSL eco-technology remove MC-LR on laboratory scale using local materials. To this end, pilot plant was designed treat distilled contaminated with MC-LR. The composed alternation permeable layers (pozzolan) soil mixture (local sandy soil, sawdust, charcoal, metallic iron dry weight ratio 70, 10, 10%, respectively) arranged brick-layer-like pattern. continuously fed synthetic containing increasing concentrations (0.18–10 µg/L) at hydraulic loading rate (HLR) 200 L m?2 day?1. early results showed removal above 99%. Based these preliminary results, could considered promising solution by order quality irrigation or recreational activities.