Biopolymer-modified kaolin composite for mitigation of the marine dinoflagellate Scrippsiella sp.

Ranri, H and Iqbal, Anwar and Mohd Razali, Roziawati and Sreekantan, Srimala and Mohammad Noor, Normawaty and Mohamad Nasir, Mohamad Ibrahim and Baharom, Mohamad Akib (2026) Biopolymer-modified kaolin composite for mitigation of the marine dinoflagellate Scrippsiella sp. Emergent Materials, 9 (235). pp. 5-18. ISSN 2522-5731 E-ISSN 2522-574X

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Abstract

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose serious environmental and economic threats to marine ecosystems, highlighting the need for effective mitigation strategies. In this study, a biopolymer-modified kaolin composite consisting of chitosan, sodium alginate, Ca²⁺, and kaolin was synthesised and evaluated for the mitigation of the marine dinoflagellate Scrippsiella sp. The composite was prepared through Ca²⁺-mediated interactions between chitosan and sodium alginate in the presence of kaolin. Physicochemical characterisation using FTIR, XRD, BET, SEM, EDX, and pHPZC confirmed modification of the kaolin and changes in its surface and textural characteristics. Formulation studies identified 10 g chitosan solution, 3 g sodium alginate, 0.3 M CaCl2, and 3 g kaolin as the selected formulation within the investigated experimental ranges. At a composite dosage of 7 g L⁻¹, rapid algal-cell removal was observed, reaching 93 ± 1% at 1 h, followed by reduction to 56 ± 4% at the end of 12 h., with 83 ± 4% removal maintained at 24 h. The modified composite showed substantially higher mitigation performance than pristine kaolin, which achieved approximately 30% removal efficiency. The observed performance may involve contributions from polymer-mediated bridging, Ca²⁺-mediated interactions, composite–cell association, aggregation, and sedimentation, although the individual contributions of these mechanisms were not directly quantified. The composite also maintained effective algal-cell removal at seawater salinities of 15 and 30 ppt. L929 fibroblast testing provided preliminary evidence of low cytotoxicity at concentrations relevant to the operational dosage; however, further ecotoxicological assessment using representative marine organisms is required to establish environmental safety. Overall, the developed biopolymer-modified kaolin composite demonstrates promising potential for the removal of Scrippsiella sp. from the water column, while further studies under environmentally representative conditions are required to establish its practical applicability.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Scrippsiella sp. · Mitigation · Kaolin · Harmful algal bloom · Marine dinoflagellate
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Science > Institute of Oceanography and Maritime Studies
Depositing User:	Dr Normawaty Mohammad Noor
Date Deposited:	25 Sep 2026 11:34
Last Update:	25 Sep 2026 11:34
Queue Number:	2026-09-Q5365
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/131634
Indexed In:	UNSPECIFIED

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