Effect of algal organic matter on adsorption of currently used pesticides onto granular activated carbon

The research is aimed at the adsorption of currently used pesticides onto granular activated carbon (GAC) in the proces of drinking water treatment. The objective is to assess competitive effect of natural organic matter, which involves AOM (Algal Organic Matter) produced by phytoplankton. Traditional water treatment performed by destabilisation and aggregation of particulate impurities is not effective enough to remove pesticides. For their degradation adsorption onto GAC represents an efficient metod. The presence of natural organic matter in raw water not only reduces adsorptive capacity but also complicates adsorption isotherms. This is caused by blockage effect of transport pores and competitive adsorption onto micropores. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of composition and quantity of AOM on adsorption efficiency and kinetics of selected pesticides in experimental synthetic and natural water. The roles of AOM molecular weight and carbon pore size distribution in pore blockage effect will be evaluated.