Particles in lake water samples originating from the Swiss lakes of Zurich and Constance were analysed, showing an exponential increase of particle number with decreasing particle size down to the detection limit (350 nm). Investigation of nanoparticles in Lake Zurich by microscopic methods showed that relatively large numbers of clay particles are present with different Al/Si composition and sizes. The small-sized clay particles (ca. 80 nm) tend to build aggregates with a size of 500–1,000 nm. In karstic spring water, the particle count and size distribution is strongly dependent on the precipitation rate. At high precipitation rates, channel flow occurs in the subsoil, leading to high particle counts among the whole size range and a larger average particle size. In membrane treatment by microfiltration and ultrafiltration this leads to membrane fouling due to pore blocking and cake formation, the latter being associated with the presence of organic compounds.
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Research Article|
January 01 2006
Characterization of nano- and microparticles in Swiss waters and their role in potable water production Free
W. Pronk;
1EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Uberlandstrasse 133, CH 8600 Dubendorf, Switzerland
E-mail: [email protected]
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B. Sinnet;
B. Sinnet
1EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Uberlandstrasse 133, CH 8600 Dubendorf, Switzerland
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S. Meylan;
S. Meylan
1EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Uberlandstrasse 133, CH 8600 Dubendorf, Switzerland
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M. Boller
M. Boller
1EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Uberlandstrasse 133, CH 8600 Dubendorf, Switzerland
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Water Supply (2006) 6 (1): 21–29.
Citation
W. Pronk, B. Sinnet, S. Meylan, M. Boller; Characterization of nano- and microparticles in Swiss waters and their role in potable water production. Water Supply 1 January 2006; 6 (1): 21–29. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2006.004
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