1 research outputs found
Bovine Serum Albumin Adsorption to Iron-Oxide Coated Sands Can Change Microsphere Deposition Mechanisms
Particulate colloids often occur together with proteins
in sewage-impacted
water. Using Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) as a surrogate for protein
in sewage, column experiments investigating the capacity of iron-oxide
coated sands to remove latex microspheres from water revealed that
microsphere attenuation mechanisms depended on antecedent BSA coverage.
Dual pulse experiment (DPE) results suggested that where all BSA was
adsorbed, subsequent multiple pore volume microsphere breakthrough
curves reflected progressively reduced colloid deposition rates with
increasing adsorbed BSA content. Modeling colloid responses suggested
adsorption of 1 μg BSA generated the same response as blockage
by between 7.1 × 10<sup>8</sup> and 2.3 × 10<sup>9</sup> deposited microspheres. By contrast, microsphere responses in DPEs
where BSA coverage of the deposition sites approached/reached saturation
revealed the coated sand maintained a finite capacity to attenuate
microspheres, even when incapable of further BSA adsorption. Subsequent
microsphere breakthrough curves demonstrated the matrix’s colloid
attenuation capacity progressively increased with continued microsphere
deposition. Experimental findings suggested BSA adsorption on the
sand surface approaching/reaching saturation generated attractive
deposition sites for colloids, which became progressively more attractive
with further colloid deposition (filter ripening). Results demonstrate
that adsorption of a single type of protein may either enhance or
inhibit colloid mobility in saturated porous media