Introduction
During the summer, you might often see greenish stuff floating on the surface of lakes. What is this phenomenon? It is called algal bloom. Algal bloom is a greenish floating mass formed by the rapid proliferation of microorganisms such as cyanobacteria and green algae in eutrophic water bodies. The microcystins released by these algae can contaminate drinking water, leading to liver damage and skin diseases in humans. This article will analyze the main causes of summer algae outbreaks and show you AquaSust's targeted treatment solutions.
Four Major Factors Driving the Intensification of Summer Algal Blooms
1. Temperature rise
When the water temperature rises above 25°C, the reproduction rate of algae accelerates, mainly because the activity of enzymes within their cells increases. In summer, the water temperature in lakes is 8-12°C higher than in spring, and the amount of algae can increase threefold.
2. Light and Photosynthesis
In summer, the average daily sunlight duration exceeds 12 hours, and algae convert light energy into biomass through photosynthesis. Prolonged sunlight extends the time for algal photosynthesis. When the water surface is still, algae float to the surface to absorb sunlight, while underwater plants die due to lack of light, further reducing the oxygen source and creating a vicious cycle.
3. Nutrient Enrichment
Unutilized fertilizers (such as urea and triple superphosphate) from farmland are washed into lakes by rainwater, leading to excessive concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential elements for algae to synthesize proteins, genetic material (DNA), and cellular energy, which further promotes the growth of algae.
4. Decreased Water Mobility
In summer, high temperatures accelerate water evaporation, leading to lower water levels and stagnant water flow in lakes. Phosphorus from the bottom mud is released in an oxygen-deficient environment, continuously providing nutrients for algae.
The Cascading Effects of Increased Algal Blooms
1. Ecological Level
After massive proliferation, algae cover large areas of the water surface, blocking sunlight and leading to hypoxia and death of submerged plants. Fish at the bottom also die en masse due to lack of oxygen.
2. Economic Level
The large increase in algae blooms will increase the cost of tap water treatment. Algae accumulates in large quantities in filters and pipes, and water treatment plants have to repeat flushing and add more algaecides. At the same time, they also need to upgrade deep treatment processes to remove algal toxins, which increases treatment costs.
3. Health Risks
When drinking water contaminated with microcystins is consumed by humans, it may cause acute diarrhea and may also cause liver damage and skin diseases in humans.
Solutions for Summer Algal Blooms
1. Aeration and Oxygenation
Aerator diffusers can release micro-nano bubbles to inject oxygen into the water, quickly increasing dissolved oxygen concentration. A high-oxygen environment inhibits the anaerobic metabolic pathways of algae, putting them into a dormant state, while promoting the decomposition of algal secretions by aerobic microorganisms, breaking the vicious cycle.
2. Sewage Pump Interception
Deploying corrosion-resistant sewage pumps at the lake's inlet allows for rapid pumping and drainage of nitrogen and phosphorus-rich farmland runoff during heavy rains, directing it into other pools. This method reduces the input of nitrogen and phosphorus, slowing the reproduction rate of algae.
3. Restoring Water Flow
Adjustable aeration diffusers are placed in lakes, which can create water disturbances on the surface through stratified aeration technology to prevent algae from floating up and promote vertical convection of water bodies at the bottom. After the water layers are mixed, phosphorus at the bottom cannot be released and algae on the surface cannot gather.
4. Emergency Solutions
When an algal bloom occurs, first use a sewage pump to extract high-density algal slurry, removing most of the algae. Then, lay aerator diffusers on the water surface to decompose residual toxins through strong oxidation, restoring water safety.
Conclusion
The above content tells you the reasons for the summer outbreak of algae blooms and the solutions. According to this article, we can understand that lake aeration systems and sewage pumps are very important for the treatment of algae blooms.
AquaSust: Professional Air Pump for Lake Aeration Manufacturers
As a professional manufacturer of aerator diffusers and pumps, AquaSust can help you solve the problem of algal blooms on ponds and lakes. We offer a variety of products and can customize according to your requirements. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.