Oxidation effects on Microcystis aeruginosa inactivation through various reactive oxygen species: Degradation efficiency, mechanisms, and physiological properties

The study investigated the inactivation of Microcystis aeruginosa using a combined approach involving thermally activated peroxyacetic acid (Heat/PAA) and thermally activated persulfate (Heat/PDS). The Heat/PDS algal inactivation process conforms to first-order reaction kinetics. Both hydroxyl radical (•OH) and sulfate radical (SO₄^-•) significantly impact the disruption of cell integrity, with SO₄^-• assuming a predominant role. PAA appears to activate organic radicals (RO•), hydroxyl (•OH), and a minimal amount of singlet oxygen (¹O₂). A thorough analysis underscores persulfate's superior ability to disrupt algal cell membranes. Additionally, SO₄^-• can convert small-molecule proteins into aromatic hydrocarbons, accelerating cell lysis. PAA can accelerate cell death by diffusing into the cell membrane and triggering advanced oxidative reactions within the cell. This study validates the effectiveness of the thermally activated persulfate process and the thermally activated peroxyacetic acid as strategies for algae inactivation.