Abstract
Powdered activated carbon (PAC) in stirred batch systems may be used selectively to remove nucleic acids from mixtures with polyphosphates, but simultaneous polyphosphate adsorption occurs in weakly ionic environments at acidic, neutral or basic pH. The addition of 1% (m/v) trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and 0,5 M perchloric acid (PCA), the sodium salts of these acids, served to abolish the adsorption of polyphosphate (Graham's salt, n = 16) at acidic, neutral or basic pH. Moreover, the adsorption of nucleic acids to PAC is enhanced by 1% TCA at neutral to basic pH. A convenient method for washing PAC free of phosphate is supplied. The significance of the above findings is discussed in relation to published results for chemical fractionation of activated sludge phosphorus compounds.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 67-74 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Water S.A. |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 1990 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Water Science and Technology
- Waste Management and Disposal
- Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
