Bioremediation of surface eutrophic waters
The development of undesirable aquatic cyanobacterial blooms caused by eutrophication of surface waters is one of the current environmental challenges. The most effective solution is a thorough analysis of conditions in the reservoir basin, identification of nutrient sources, and their elimination. However, if the reservoir water has already reached a state of eu- or hypertrophy, there are limited options to address the situation. Some of these are highly costly and invasive (dredging of sediments), while others have only a temporary effect and consist of introducing chemicals into the water (use of coagulants or algicides). Suitable strains of certain microscopic algae and cyanobacteria have properties that can be used to advantage to pump dissolved nutrients from the water into the biomass and, in combination with a new type of floating photobioreactor with a semi-permeable bottom used in situ, it should be relatively easy to remove the accumulated biomass (including nutrients) from the water and use it, for example, as an organic fertilizer.