Exactly.
Kind of like a double-edged sword, per se. The controlled use of microalgae could be used as a valuable tool in water pollution control, helping to prevent the negative effects of eutrophication downstream.
Most people know about the problems connected with eutrophication (it's impacts, and finding effective solutions to address the problems). Those problems can get 'real gnarly', in a very quick hurry.
Of course, an abundance of nutrients in an aquatic ecosystem (especially nitrogen & phosphorus) will function as fertilizer for *macroalgae* and other plants. But, if things get out of balance with excessive nutrient loading, it doesn't take much for an algae bloom. Then, deoxygenation... then, a loss of fauna and flora... then, a lose-lose situation all the way around.
With the common forms of wastewater treatment processes (chemical and biological), sludge is produced as a byproduct ~ accomplishing the goal of removing nitrogen and phosphorus from the water without causing eutrophication downstream. Microalgae can perform in a similar way, also having the potential (especially if cultivated in high rate algae ponds) to remove nutrients & heavy metals.
Microalgae has the ability to be a cost-effective treatment, that can also be extracted from the water and used for bio-fuel. Factors and parameters that can contribute to microalgae biomass (extracted and used for fuel) include: algal species, lipid production, light, ph, nutrient availability, and the proper design/implementation of HRAP's (high rate algae ponds). Good to see new ideas in these regards, along with thinking outside of the conventional box.
|
Linear Mode
