Algae’s Effect in Water Treatment
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are photosynthetic bacteria that can produce harmful algae blooms (HABs). HABs are a growing environmental concern due to the toxins they release, which may harm people, pets, and fish. Since HABs degrade water quality, they also have significant consequences for drinking water, local businesses, and recreational activities.
Cyanobacteria require cell buoyancy to remain in the upper water layer in order to obtain sufficient light to grow and thrive. They regulate their buoyancy by varying the production of gas vesicles. Ultrasound waves have a direct negative impact on all HABs that rely on buoyancy.
Numerous studies in drinking water treatment have proven that pre-treatment with pre-oxidants such as chlorine, chlorine dioxide, ozone or permanganate can control the massive growth of HABs. However, some pre-oxidants stimulate the release of microcystins (toxin) from algae cells into water, while others may accelerate the formation of disinfection by-products.
Harmful algal blooms have a tremendous negative impact on wildlife, domestic animals and humans living near infected lakes. While the problem is annually increasing globally, the severity of the consequences of algal blooms are becoming clear to public and regulators. At its source, lies years of environmental pollution.
We believe that solutions for severe environmental degradation do not lie in the addition of more chemicals or other components that pollute our lakes further. Instead, solutions should be used that support our lake’s ecology, to establish a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
Common Problems in Malaysia are experienced by:
Ultrasound refers to sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing (20 kHz). At specific frequencies, these sound waves can be used to control algae growth. There’s a distinction between high-power ultrasound that causes cavitation and the low-power ultrasound used by LG Sonic. Cavitation is a result of the formation of micro-bubbles that collapse, generating intense heat. Since cavitation may cause cell lysis, it’s not a recommended water treatment method.
Our devices emit low-power ultrasound waves in the top water layer, generating a constant pressure cycle around the algal cells. This interferes with the algae’s buoyancy regulation, preventing them from accessing sunlight and nutrients. As a result, they can’t perform photosynthesis and sink to the bottom, where they decompose naturally without releasing harmful toxins. No aquatic organisms, animals, or humans are harmed in the process.
Benefits
