Activation of peroxymonosulfate by La2CuO4 perovskite for synergistic removal of Microcystis aeruginosa and microcystin-LR in harmful algal bloom impacted water

The cyanobacterial blooms induced water safety problems have attracted tremendous concerns due to the adverse influences on aqueous ecosystem and human health. This study developed a novel perovskite-type catalyst for heterogeneous peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation as an emergency measure to remove harmful algae. The results indicated that significant removal efficiency of Microcystis aeruginosa cells (97%) and chlorophyll-a (100%) was achieved within 20 min in La 2 CuO 4 /PMS system without significant release of dissolved organic carbon and metals in water. • OH, SO 4 •- , 1 O 2 and • O 2 - generated were all responsible for algae inactivation and subsequent algal organic matters removal. Moreover, the heterogeneous catalytic mechanism was proposed that La portion in La 2 CuO 4 favored the cells destabilization by increasing zeta potential of algae suspension, while variable Cu portion facilitated the electron transfer to improve the yields of • OH and SO 4 •- . This study demonstrates that the new catalytic PMS process promises viable and effective control of harmful algal bloom impacts in water treatment.