Improved removal of particles during the treatment of natural aquatic suspensions has been achieved by pre-ozonation and the addition of small quantities of iron salts (βFe ≤ 0.1 mg.L-1; “Fe(III)-assisted filtration”) followed by rapid filtration. As shown by investigations on a large-scale installation at Lake Constance Water Supply, this procedure reliably reduces suspended solids by at least 2-3 powers of ten in long-term use. However, the high efficacy of Fe(III)-assisted filtration cannot be explained on the basis of known coagulation mechanisms (like adsorption-charge neutralization, co-precipitation). Instead, the essential step was found to be the conditioning of the filter medium by coating it with colloids containing Fe(OH)3, and this “Fe coating” process occurs only in the presence of alkaline earths (especially Ca2+). According to further experiments, the enhanced solid-liquid separation was ultimately traced to chemical interactions such as the formation of calcium-organic association structures between the iron hydroxides and other solids. For design of Fe(III)-assisted filtration steps, finally, a βCa/DOC ratio above 40 mg.mg-1 and pre-oxidation with ozone dosages not exceeding 2 mg O3/mg DOC was recommended.
Long‐term study reveals top‐down effect of crabs on a California salt marsh