Abstract
The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of COM (Cellular Organic Matter) produced by Microcystis aeruginosa on the process of water purification by destabilisation and subsequent aggregation of the impurity particles. The research was carried out with a raw water into which COM was added. The removal efficiency of the most significant components of COM, i.e. polysaccharides and proteins, was investigated. It was found that the removal efficiency of polysaccharides and proteins was dependent on the reaction conditions (pH, type of destabilisation reagent and its dosage). The removal efficiency of COM was relatively low. It was about 46% and 41% using ferric sulphate and aluminium sulphate aggregation, respectively. In comparison to the other organic components of COM, mainly polysaccharides, the proteins are removed with a higher efficiency. The GPC analyses of the residual COM showed that the proteins of higher molecular weight were aggregated with a higher efficiency.