Algal Bloom Capture and Enabling Core Technologies

Algal Bloom Capture

An algal bloom refers to a rapid and excessive growth of algae in aquatic environments, typically in freshwater or marine ecosystems. This phenomenon occurs when environmental conditions, such as nutrient availability, light, and temperature, favor the accelerated reproduction of algae. The primary driver of algal blooms is often the presence of elevated levels of nutrients—especially nitrogen and phosphorus—commonly introduced through agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge, and other human activities.

Causes

・Nutrient Enrichment (Eutrophication): Excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus stimulate algal growth.

・Favorable Environmental Conditions: Warm temperatures, ample sunlight, and stagnant water can accelerate algal proliferation.

・Pollution Sources: Agricultural fertilizers, untreated sewage, and industrial effluents are major contributors to nutrient loading

Artificial Algal Bloom

Artificially controlled algal blooms refer to the deliberate cultivation and regulation of algae growth in a managed environment to achieve specific ecological and industrial benefits. By manipulating key factors such as nutrient supply, light, temperature, and water flow, it is possible to induce and sustain algal blooms in a controlled manner.

Benefits from Algal Bloom Capture

1. Carbon Dioxide SequestrationAlgae absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis at high rates. By scaling up artificial algal blooms, significant amounts of atmospheric CO₂ can be captured and converted into biomass. This process contributes to carbon mitigation efforts and can be integrated into carbon capture and utilization (CCU) strategies.
2. Nutrient Removal and Water PurificationAlgae efficiently uptake nitrogen, phosphorus, and other dissolved nutrients. Artificial blooms can be deployed in wastewater or eutrophic water bodies to reduce nutrient loads, thereby improving water quality and preventing uncontrolled natural blooms.
3. Biomass Production for Valuable ResourcesThe harvested algal biomass can be processed into biofuels, animal feed, fertilizers, or high-value bioproducts such as omega-3 fatty acids, pigments, and bioplastics. This circular approach transforms waste nutrients and CO₂ into useful resources.

How to control Artificial Algal Bloom

1. Initiate

Artificial algal blooms are initiated by creating optimal conditions for algal growth. This involves the deliberate introduction of algae into a controlled aquatic system with carefully balanced nutrients, adequate light exposure, and appropriate temperature. The goal at this stage is to establish a stable seed population that can begin rapid growth without causing ecological disturbances.

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2. Proliferate

Once the initial population is established, growth is promoted through controlled nutrient supply (particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace elements) and optimized environmental parameters. This phase focuses on achieving a high biomass yield efficiently while preventing uncontrolled expansion or resource depletion.

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3. Sustain

To maintain the bloom at a productive level, continuous monitoring and feedback control are applied. Nutrient dosing, mixing, and CO₂ supplementation are fine-tuned to ensure that algal growth remains steady and that dissolved oxygen and pH levels stay within desirable ranges. This phase ensures long-term stability and prevents collapse due to nutrient exhaustion or self-shading effects.

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4. Robust

A robust artificial algal bloom system must be resilient to environmental fluctuations, contamination, and operational disruptions. It incorporates adaptive control mechanisms, redundancy in nutrient and CO₂ supply, and periodic biomass harvesting to maintain system health. The robustness of the system ensures consistent CO₂ capture, nutrient removal, and biomass production under variable external conditions.