Is Electrocoagulation a Promising Technology for Algal Organic Matter Removal? Current Knowledge and Open Questions

Electrocoagulation (EC) is a practical alternative to chemical coagulation for the treatment of drinking water that contains various pollutants, including humic substances. Nevertheless, the performance of EC for removal of algal organic matter (AOM) is still largely unexplored. In this review, the properties of AOM, the principles of chemical coagulation and EC, and the current state of knowledge on the coagulation of AOM have been outlined. The limited available literature on the EC of AOM is critically reviewed and let conclude that this is a promising technology for AOM removal. However, the studies on EC are inconsistent in their approaches, and they lack thorough optimization of operating conditions (resultant pH, coagulant dosing) and reports of residual metal concentrations. Some of the identified needs for future research include the complete optimization of EC for AOM removal, its direct comparison with chemical coagulation, and EC testing for the elimination of mixtures of AOM, humic substances, and inorganic particles.

Automated summary

Electrocoagulation (EC) is a viable method for removing various pollutants, including humic substances, from drinking water. However, its efficacy in removing algal organic matter (AOM) is not well-documented. This review outlines the properties of AOM, the principles of chemical coagulation and EC, and the current knowledge of AOM coagulation. Although EC shows promise for AOM removal, there is a lack of consistent approaches and thorough optimization of operating conditions and reporting of residual metal concentrations in existing studies. Future research should focus on fully optimizing EC for AOM removal, comparing it directly with chemical coagulation, and testing EC for the removal of mixtures of AOM, humic substances, and inorganic particles.