EFFECT OF METHYLENE BLUE AND CHLOROPHYLLIN EMBEDDED IN NATURAL ZEOLITE ON ALGAE GROWTH IN MEDIUM POLLUTED BY 4-CHLOROPHENOL

The work deals with photocatalytic properties of natural clinoptillolite with adsorbed organic dyes (methylene blue or chlorophyllin). It was found that the zeolite modified by this manner inhibited the growth of the green algae Chlorella vulgaris, whereas untreated natural zeolite did not affect algae growth [14]. The above-mentioned prepared zeolites were capable of singlet oxygen formation, which caused this inhibitory effect. On the other hand, the same zeolites exhibited a protection effect against 4-chloro-phenol (4-CP) inhibition of the algae growth. This protection is caused by the photocatalytic decomposition of 4-CP. Degradation of 4-CP was experimentally documented by UV spectroscopy.