* Filtrasorb 100-GAC 1240, supplied by the Ceca
Carbon company of Pioltello (MI), was used as an
example of commonly used activated granulate
carbon. The selected carbon was the same as that
used in the Como drinking-water plant and it was
characterized by fine porosity, particularly indicating
low organic carbon compound removal. The Filtrasorb
was physically activated at a temperature of
9001C and its main characteristics were: surface
area=1000–1100m2/g; granulometry=0.43–1.70mm;
density=480 g/L; mean particulate diameter 0.9–
1.1 mm. The lake water treatment consisted in a
filtration through two glass columns (25mm of
diameter and 30 cm of height) filled each with a
150mL carbon bed volume. Lake water sample
(20 L) was used in each treatment, obtaining a
contact time of 6–7 min.