Membrane technology is widely used for algal bloom treatment due to its effective separation capabilities. However, the effect of algal cell interaction with AOM on the membrane fouling mechanism remains unclear. This study systematically investigated the filtration characteristics of algal cells and AOM, individually and in combination. The mechanism of membrane fouling was explored through the distribution of organic components, algal cake structure, interfacial free energy, and changes in the functional groups in cross-fouling. The mitigation effects of pretreatment additives, including diatomite, powdered activated carbon (PAC), and plant cotton, on interaction fouling were evaluated. The results revealed that the interaction between algal cells and AOM had a synergistic effect, significantly increasing membrane resistance. The presence of algal cells facilitated the transformation of some irreversible fouling into reversible fouling. Compared with cells, AOM exhibited higher adhesion-free energy with the membrane, with higher AOM concentrations notably elevating both Ri and Rir. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscope, and atomic force microscope (AFM) observations revealed that protein volume fractions increased with cake layer thickness during cross-fouling, while polysaccharides preferentially deposited on the membrane surface. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses further indicated that polysaccharides are critical in membrane fouling, while proteins were more likely to cause reversible fouling within the cake layer. Notably, diatomite significantly reduced the interaction fouling coefficient by optimizing the cake layer structure. These findings provide valuable insights for controlling membrane fouling based on the characteristics of cells and AOM.

中文翻译：

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揭示铜绿微囊藻水处理过程中藻类有机物和细胞对膜污染机制的相互作用


由于其有效的分离能力，膜技术被广泛用于藻华处理。然而，藻类细胞与 AOM 相互作用对膜污染机制的影响仍不清楚。本研究系统地研究了藻类细胞和 AOM 的单独和组合过滤特性。通过有机成分的分布、藻饼结构、界面自由能和交叉污染中官能团的变化来探索膜污染的机制。评估了包括硅藻土、粉末活性炭 （PAC） 和植物棉在内的预处理添加剂对相互作用污垢的缓解效果。结果表明，藻类细胞与 AOM 之间的相互作用具有协同作用，显着增加了膜电阻。藻类细胞的存在促进了一些不可逆的污垢转化为可逆的污垢。与细胞相比，AOM 表现出更高的膜无粘附能量，较高的 AOM 浓度显着提高了 Ri 和 Rir。共聚焦激光扫描显微镜 （CLSM）、扫描电子显微镜和原子力显微镜 （AFM） 观察显示，在交叉污染过程中，蛋白质体积分数随着滤饼层的厚度而增加，而多糖优先沉积在膜表面。傅里叶变换红外光谱 （FTIR） 和 X 射线光电子能谱 （XPS） 分析进一步表明，多糖在膜污染中起关键作用，而蛋白质更有可能在饼层内引起可逆的污染。值得注意的是，硅藻土通过优化滤饼层结构显著降低了相互作用结垢系数。 这些发现为基于细胞和 AOM 特性的膜污染控制提供了有价值的见解。