Chinese academicians have developed a method for the harmless treatment of blue algae that often accumulates in lakes, bay areas and wetlands.
The method developed by the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences can realize efficient and ecologically safe flocculation of the algae, known as cyanophyte.
"The new method has the advantages of being cost-effective and environmentally friendly. It is expected to have broad application prospects in lake eutrophication control," said Gu Xiaozhi, a researcher with the team.
According to the latest China Water Resources Bulletin, eutrophic lakes account for more than 70 percent of the 121 lakes in the country, which are associated with an algae bloom. The bulletin says it has become an urgent problem to be solved in water environments.
Gu said the core breakthrough of this research lies in the independent development of a new type of composite flocculant. It can quickly form aggregates of blue algae floating on the water surface, making them fall to the bottom of the water. The process generates no harmful substances, and promotes efficient utilization of nutrients rich in the algae in the natural eco-system.
