ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the efficient, cheaper and practical water treatment process in removing algae toxins. Methods The different water treatment methods were used and the optimal combination was selected. The removing efficiency for different processes was compared and validated by beaker test. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted in microcystin testing. Results Coagulating sedimentation could remove a small part of microcystin (removing efficiency was from 4.3% to 29.7% ). When oxidants were applied in pretreatment processes, such as ozone combined with coagulant, 83.3% to 91.9% microcystin could be removed. The cost-benefit analysis showed these processes only increased 0.03 to 0.14 yuan RMB cost per cubic meter of water, for example, by using ozone pretreatment and oxidation plus adsorption processes. Conclusion On the basis of general water treatment, ozone(O3), potassium permanganate(KMnO4), chlorine, dioxide(ClO2)and powdered activated carbon(PAC) are effective for removing microcystin in pretreatment processes and the processes are cheaper and practical.