The most common way of killing hazardous microorganisms, dwelling in potable water, is chlorinating. But scientists consider chlorinating to be harmful and to cause cardiovascular diseases or even cancer. Scientists from Saint Petersburg Institute of Electrophysics and Power Engineering (Russian Academy of Sciences) have recently suggested an alternative. They have tested pulsed electrical discharge as possible decontaminating agent.
      
      Researches plunged metal electrodes into water. The electrodes have double action. The discharge kills pathogenic microorganisms by means of compression waves and UV radiation, but this is not the whole story. Electrodes emit metal ions – 5-100 nm colloid nanoparticles, consisting of metal oxides, and larger microparticles. The latter gravitate to the bottom, and nanoparticles “stick” to bacterial cell walls. Bacterial cells absorb metal ions, thus shifting solution equilibrium. To recover said equilibrium nanoparticles emit ions and generate directed ion fluxes to bacterial cells. Thanks to this mechanism, bacterial cells accumulate metal ions, which are harmful.
      
      The scientists have tested this technique on the enteric bacterium (Escherichia coli), pneumonia and typhoid agents, Staphylococcus aureus, soil bacteria and mold fungi. Not a single microorganism survived water treatment with electricity. Scientists have tested silver, copper and iron electrodes. Silver and copper ions proved to be the most effective antibacterial agents, and the scientists plan to make electrodes out of these metals. Optimal electrode parameters – impulse time, di/dt and pulse rate – were determined through experiments.
      
      Water, which is purified by electricity, contains few metal particles, thus homoiothermal animals and human beings can’t get poisoned, but remains clear of microorganisms for about a year.
      
      Nanoparticles are not toxic, but charged, which also destroys microorganisms. They guarantee water purity, like in well-known “silver” underground springs, which healing power was discovered long ago.
      
      Russian Academy`s of Sciences Reports via Elements.