ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The Relationship Between the Morphological Characteristics of Aggregates of Selected Phytoplankton Organisms and Their Strength in the Flocculation Process
1
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering and Building Installations, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
Submission date: 2025-04-24
Final revision date: 2025-09-16
Acceptance date: 2025-09-29
Online publication date: 2025-11-05
Publication date: 2025-11-05
Corresponding author
Ewelina Anna Kapuścińska
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering and Building Installations, Lodz University of Technology, Politechniki 6, 90-924, Lodz, Poland
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering and Building Installations, Lodz University of Technology, Politechniki 6, 90-924, Lodz, Poland
Civil and Environmental Engineering Reports 2025;35(4):137-149
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
This article presents the results of research on the strength of Monoraphidium contortum and Microcystis aeruginosa cell aggregates, with assumption of spherical and fractal structure of the flocs. The method of computer analysis of the microscopic image was used in the research, which made it possible to determine the size and morphological parameters of phytoplankton cell aggregates formed as a result of coagulation with FeCl3. The equivalent diameter (dₑ) and fractal dimension (D₂) of aggregates allowed us to assess the resistance of the aggregate to shear forces (G). Based on the obtained values of the strength constant (parameter γ), it was found that M. aeruginosa aggregates were characterized by greater strength to the action of shear forces compared to M. contortum aggregates. The differences in the strength of the aggregates of the studied species were more noticeable when interpreted based on the assumption of the fractal structure of the aggregates. These differences can be important in water treatment - adjusting coagulation parameters based on phytoplankton characteristics can improve process effectiveness.
REFERENCES (32)
1.
Bartram, J, Corrales, L, Davison, A, Deere, D, Drury, D, Gordon, B, Howard, G, Rinehold, A and Stevens, M 2009. Water safety plan manual: step-by-step risk management for drinking-water suppliers. Geneva: World Health Organization.
2.
Guidelines for drinking-water quality: fourth edition incorporating the first and second addenda. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022.
3.
Sillanpaa, M et al. 2018. Removal of natural organic matter in drinking water treatment by coagulation: A comprehensive review. Chemosphere 190, 54-71.
4.
Srivastav, AL et al. 2020. Disinfection by-products in drinking water: Occurrence, toxicity and abatement. Environmental Pollution 267, 115474.
5.
Tafesse, N et al. 2023. Exposure and carcinogenic risk assessment of trihalomethanes (THMs) for water supply consumers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Toxicology Reports 10, 261-268.
6.
Chekli, L et al. 2017. Coagulation performance and floc characteristics of polytitanium tetrachloride (PTC) with titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) and ferric chloride (FeCl3) in algal turbid water. Separation and Purification Technology 175, 99-106.
7.
Jarvis, P et al. 2005. A review of floc strength and breakage. Water Research 39 (14), 3121-3137.
8.
Rong, H et al. 2013. Characterization of size, strength and structure of aluminum-polymer dual-coagulants flocs under different pH and hydraulic conditions. Journal of Hazardous Materials 252-253, 330-337.
9.
Wang, B et al. 2017. Comparison of floc characteristics using before and after composite coagulants under different coagulation mechanisms. Biochemical Engineering Journal 121, 107-117.
10.
Li, T et al. 2006. Characterization of floc size, strength and structure under various coagulation mechanisms. Powder Technology 168, 104-110.
11.
Chakraborti, RK et. al. 2003. Changes in fractal dimension during aggregation. Water Research 37 (4), 873-883.
12.
Perez, YG et al. 2006. Activated sludge morphology characterization through an image analysis procedure. Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering 3, 319-330.
13.
Oliveira, CRT and Rubio, RJ 2010. A new technique for characterizing aerated flocs in a flocculation-microbubble flotation system. International Journal of Mineral Processing 96 (1-4), 36-44.
14.
Yanagibashi, T et al. 2019. Application of Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid Flocculant to Flocculation–Sedimentation Treatment of Ultrafine Cement Suspension. Water 11, 1748.
15.
Kobayashi, M 2005. Strength of natural soil flocs. Water Research 39 (14), 3273-3278.
16.
Demir, N et al. 2011. Phytoplankton composition considering the odor occurrence in Porsuk River (Eskisehir-Turkey). Asian Journal of Chemistry 23 (1), 247-250.
17.
Chow, CWK et al. 1999. The impact of conventional water treatment processes on cells of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. Water Research 33 (15), 3253-3262.
18.
Runnegar, M et al. 1995. Microcystin uptake and inhibition of protein phosphatases: effects of chemoprotectants and self-inhibition in relation to known hepatic transporters. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 134 (2), 264-272.
19.
Rastogi, RP et al. 2014. The cyanotoxin - Microcystins: current overview. Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology 13, 215-249.
20.
ISO 9276-6: 2008. Representation of results of particle size analysis. Part 6: Descriptive and quantitative representation of particle shape and morphology.
22.
Chakraborti, RK et al. 2000. Characterization of alum floc by image analysis. Environmental Science and Technology 34 (18), 3969-3976.
23.
Aouabed, A et al. 2008. Morphological characteristics and fractal approach of the flocs obtained from natural organic matter extract of water of the Keddara dam (Algeria). Desalination 231 (1-3), 314-322.
24.
He, W et al. 2012. Characteristic analysis on temporal evolution of floc size and structure in low-shear. Water Research 46, 509-520.
25.
Yu, W et al. 2015. Dependence of floc properties on coagulant type, dosing mode and nature of particles. Water Research 68, 119-126.
26.
Jiang, Q and Logan, BE 1996. Fractal dimensions of aggregates from shear devices. Journal American Water Works Association 88 (2), 100-113.
27.
Yuheng, W et al. 2011. Influences of various aluminum coagulants on algae floc structure, strength and flotation effect. Procedia Environmental Sciences 8, 75-80.
28.
Yu, W et. al. 2011. The role of mixing conditions on floc growth, breakage and re-growth. Chemical Engineering Journal 171 (2), 425-430.
29.
Gregory, J 2009. Monitoring particle aggregation processes. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science 147-148, 109-123.
30.
Wang, Y et al. 2009. Characterization of floc size, strength and structure in various aluminum coagulants treatment. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 332 (2), 354-359.
31.
Gierczycki, A 2005. Powstanie i rozpad agregatów ciała stałego zawieszonych w cieczy [Formation and disintegration of solid aggregates suspended in liquid]. Zeszyty Naukowe. Gliwice: Politechnika Śląska.
32.
Gonzalez-Torres, A et al. 2014. Examination of the physical properties of Microcystis aeruginosa flocs produced on coagulation with metal salts. Water Research 60, 197-209.
| eISSN: | 2450-8594 |
| ISSN: | 2080-5187 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
