Elimination of Microcystins by Slow Sand Filtration at the UBA Experimental Field

The behavior of natural and synthetic toxins during bank filtration is commonly investigated either in controlled laboratory experiments or through observations at bank filtration sites. In laboratory batch and column experiments a range of parameters can be varied to assess processes potentially responsible for the elimination of substances. However, hypotheses gained from such experiments need to be verified for field situations. Observations at bank filtration sites are limited to the conditions encountered at such sites, and they are highly dependent on the occurrence of the agents to be assessed in the surface water. For example, cyanotoxins usually occur only during a few weeks of the year. Between the two extremes of laboratory experiments and field observations, controlled field experiments offer an intermediate approach that may substantially improve the understanding of processes relevant in natural systems.