Photocatalytic water disinfection of Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia using a fibrous ceramic TiO2 photocatalyst

摘要

Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia are two of the most chlorine resistantnmicroorganisms with notable adverse effects on humans. Our study shows that waters containingnthese two protozoa at low concentrations can be efficiently disinfected in continuous flow bynusing a commercial fibrous ceramic TiO2 photocatalyst. The efficiency of the photocatalyticndisinfection is largely enhanced by adding a small concentration of chlorine. In this way, thenresidence time on the photoreactor can be considerably shortened. In contrast, under the samenconditions and radiance power, UV light without any photocatalyst is significantly less efficient,nparticularly for G. lamblia. These results exemplify the advantages of the photocatalytic processnfor safe and complete water disinfection.