[Degradation of cyanobacterial peptide hepatotoxins by ferrate].

In this study, the effect of ferrate oxidation on stability of microcystins-LR (MCLR) in freeze-dried Oscillatoria amoena was investigated. The toxin was easily decomposed by oxidation with ferrate, and the stability depended on the dosage of ferrate and pH. Simultaneously the product Fe(OH)3 after ferrate oxidation could flocculate the organic compounds so that 50% TOC removal of the extract was reached. The low residual iron reflected the excellent results of coagulation and could meet the standard of drinking water. The results show that ferrate oxidation may be an effective and practical method for the removal of cyanobacterial peptide toxins from drinking water.