Isolation and algicidal properties study of the strain G1 from reservoir sediments

Microcystis aeruginosa is a globally important cyanobacterial species that poses a threat to human health and development. The use of bacteria to control algal blooms has become an important research topic in recent years. In the present work, the algicidal strain G1 was isolated from sediments of a reservoir in Xi'an, China, identified by 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), and its algicidal effects were investigated. The rDNA sequence of G1 (GenBank accession number MW205793) is 99.86% similar to that of Chitinimonas sp., and the strain indirectly solubilised algae. Algae removal by G1 was optimal during the decay phase (algae solubilisation rate = 65.85%). Temperature (5–120 °C) did not significantly affect algae removal, pH 5–9 was tolerated, and pH 7 achieved the highest algae lysis rate (63.56%). Ultrasonic treatment of G1 destroyed the algae-solubilising effect. An injection ratio of 15% achieved the highest algae lysis rate (67.64%) under 12 h:12 h light:dark conditions, and full darkness achieved the highest algae lysis rate (68.21%). Thus, G1 can effectively inhibit the reproduction of M. aeruginosa, making it a promising biological agent for controlling algal growth.

Anti-algal activity of a fluorine-doped titanium oxide photocatalyst against Microcystis aeruginosa and its photocatalytic degradation

Fluorine-doped TiO2 was successfully synthesised and applied as algaecide. Studies on algae removal efficiencies and mechanisms illustrated that F-TiO2 was suitable for algae elimination in natural water bodies.

Research on efficient and economical treatment methods for algal pollution in landscape water

A water body in Guilin was selected for this study. In order to find out the best dosing ratio, we conducted research experiments on combined algae removal methods and obtained a more economical and efficient mixed dosing ratio for treating water bodies. If this solution is replicated, it will contribute to the development of marine and freshwater fisheries; to the construction of a green ecosystem and human public healt.

Wastewater lagoon solids, phosphorus, and algae removal using discfiltration

The microsieving discfilter technology was investigated at the pilot scale. The pilot was configured to treat the effluent from a municipal wastewater multi-lagoon facility consisting of two facultative lagoons and a third seasonally aerated lagoon that is aerated to mitigate hydrogen sulfide release. The 10 μm filter, operated without chemical enhancement, demonstrates 60.1 ± 22.6% removal of the lagoon effluent total suspended solids (TSS) during periods of operation without aeration of the third lagoon. Aeration of the third lagoon of the multi-lagoon system prior to discharge renders the 10 μm filter cloth ineffective with respect to solids removal. The 5 μm filter cloth performs effective nonchemically enhanced removal of solids even during aeration of the lagoon, removing 68.2 ± 9.85% of effluent TSS. The greater performance of the 5 μm filter was achieved at the expense of a lower maximum conveyance capacity than the 10 μm filter. The 10 and 5 μm filters decrease the effluent total phosphorus (TP) concentrations by 0.14 and 0.13 mg-P/L, respectively. Algae, characterized as Chlorophyll α, shows removal from influent concentrations of 10.25 ± 4.19 μg/L to concentrations of 4.61 ± 1.28 μg/L for the 10 μm filter, and 4.10 ± 0.65 μg/L for the 5 μm filter.

Improved Cyanobacteria Removal from Harmful Algae Blooms by Two-Cycle, Low-Frequency, Low-Density, and Short-Duration Ultrasonic Radiation

Harmful algae blooms (HAB) in eutrophic lakes and rivers have become serious water quality problems that are difficult to eliminate using common methods. Previous research has demonstrated that powerful ultrasound can somewhat control cyanobacteria in HABs; however, effective and energy-efficient settings for ultrasonic parameters have not yet been rigorously determined. The results of this study showed that the effect of cyanobacteria removal was enhanced with ultrasonic frequencies, densities, and radiation durations of 20–90 kHz, 0.0005–0.1 W/mL and 0.5–10 min, respectively. Our analyses further demonstrated that the effective distance of ultrasound decreased with increasing frequency, and that damaged algae cells were able to repair themselves at low ultrasonic densities. To address the high energy consumption and small effective distance of conventional ultrasonic radiation treatments, we proposed a new cyanobacteria removal method based on two applications of low-frequency, low-density and short-duration ultrasonic radiation. We defined the energy effectiveness factors of ultrasonic radiation for algae removal as the algae removal rate divided by ultrasonic dosage. This method yielded an 87.6% cyanobacteria removal and the highest energy effectiveness factor, suggesting that two cycles of treatment provide a low-energy method for enhancing existing algae-removing technologies used in large bodies of water.

Remediation of Polluted River Water by Biological, Chemical, Ecological and Engineering Processes

Selection of appropriate river water treatment methods is important for the restoration of river ecosystems. An in-depth review of different river water treatment technologies has been carried out in this study. Among the physical-engineering processes, aeration is an effective, sustainable and popular technique which increases microbial activity and degrades organic pollutants. Other engineering techniques (water diversion, mechanical algae removal, hydraulic structures and dredging) are effective as well, but they are cost intensive and detrimental to river ecosystems. Riverbank filtration is a natural, slow and self-sustainable process which does not pose any adverse effects. Chemical treatments are criticised for their short-term solution, high cost and potential for secondary pollution. Ecological engineering-based techniques are preferable due to their high economic, environmental and ecological benefits, their ease of maintenance and the fact that they are free from secondary pollution. Constructed wetlands, microbial dosing, ecological floating beds and biofilms technologies are the most widely applicable ecological techniques, although some variabilities are observed in their performances. Constructed wetlands perform well under low hydraulic and pollutant loads. Sequential constructed wetland floating bed systems can overcome this limitation. Ecological floating beds are highly recommended for their low cost, high effectiveness and optimum plant growth facilities.