In a lake full of cyanobacteria blooms, Nitrogen and Phosphorus levels are often really high. We're actually on a project, and we'd like to find some ways to eradicate or just reduce the process of eutrophication in the lake. We include many methods such as using home-made floating islands on which some plants enter in competition with cyanobacteria, but 1) we're looking for solid and durable matter that can survive erosion and all seasons. 2) And we prioritize the species consuming more nitrogen and phosphorus. 3) We also look at the possibility of using some bacteria spreading in the lake to compete with cyanobacteria. All advice and articles are welcome!
Well,
The most important treatments possible for the state of eutrophication is to prevent pollution from its source, ie, to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers in the fields or to rationalize their use at least, and to switch from detergents containing phosphorus to other compounds, and so on. The case treatments after their occurrence include many choices and according to what is attributed to each Region or situation, including: opening new channels to reduce concentrations of nutrient-rich water. Increase the movement of water to enrich it with oxygen, introduce species of fish that feed on plants to limit their spread, infect plants with viral diseases to eliminate them, disrupt the operation of phosphorus compounds using salts such as aluminum sulphate by converting them into non-absorbable complexes by plants and other treatments.
Sincerely
For a project I'm wondering if you could make 'rafts' and use rice as the species to take up nutrients. I seem to recall that rice may need a solid phase rooting medium to develop aerenchyma, but if you manage that it should consume a lot of N and P
While agreeing to the suggestions of Dr. Bayan, I think the most important of all the mitigative measures is to identify the source of pollution and try to reduce the waste production & disposal through various measures such as finding alternatives; awareness creation; public participation; etc.
Hans Matthijs ([email protected]) used hydrogen peroxide to clean lake waters from growth, with great success. He even got the goverment permission to do it. The procedure is very efficient and save for all usefull species. I do not know was it patented or not.
He, to the deep regret of many of his colleagues, has passed away, but maybe there is somebody who proceeds.
I support the the discussions followed by all scientists/Profs. To me, natural process of controlling the introduction of these elements (nitrogen and phosphorous) could be the best options to keep away from eutriphication.
In some cases, the problem is internal fertilization. Phosphorus from the sediment is released under oxygen-poor conditions. Fe3+ forms poorly soluble hydroxides, which bind phosphorus. Under oxygen-poor conditions, Fe2+/FeS is formed, which cannot retain phosphorus. It is released and available to plankton. Which in turn sinks to the bottom and consumes oxygen. A solution could be aeration of the deep water, hypolimneon. So you avoid oxygen loss and the following problems. About aeration of the hypolimneon: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0043135485901204
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