Abstract (300 words maximum)
Microplastic coagulation has become of special interest in the drinking water treatment industry in the last decade as the plastic pollution of various aquatic environments persists. Drinking water treatment plants employ coagulation, flocculation, and filtration to significantly decrease microplastic concentration. This project used a jar test procedure which imitated coagulation methods used in treatment plants to study the effective amount of coagulant (Aluminum) needed to achieve the lowest possible turbidity. Results revealed that higher potassium chloride amounts required an increase in coagulant dose to achieve a low turbidity; and an initially higher turbidity was observed with a higher kaolin amount present but no increase in coagulant dose was needed to achieve a low turbidity. Adding pristine thread or weathered thread or lead-laden weathered thread required an increase in coagulant dose to have a low turbidity.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Chemistry and Biochemistry
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Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Marina Koether
Additional Faculty
Amy Gruss, Civil and Environmental Engineering, agruss@kennesaw.edu
Effects of Coagulation on Turbidity in Water Treatment
Microplastic coagulation has become of special interest in the drinking water treatment industry in the last decade as the plastic pollution of various aquatic environments persists. Drinking water treatment plants employ coagulation, flocculation, and filtration to significantly decrease microplastic concentration. This project used a jar test procedure which imitated coagulation methods used in treatment plants to study the effective amount of coagulant (Aluminum) needed to achieve the lowest possible turbidity. Results revealed that higher potassium chloride amounts required an increase in coagulant dose to achieve a low turbidity; and an initially higher turbidity was observed with a higher kaolin amount present but no increase in coagulant dose was needed to achieve a low turbidity. Adding pristine thread or weathered thread or lead-laden weathered thread required an increase in coagulant dose to have a low turbidity.