CHINA / Regional |
Scientists find cure for lake algae(Shanghai Daily)Updated: 2007-06-28 09:01 Researchers from Fudan University in Shanghai have worked out how to tackle toxic green-blue algae, after an outbreak in Taihu Lake threatened water supplies in the Yangtze River Delta this month. The method uses algae-killing bacteria, nano-technology and water plants, Fudan officials announced yesterday. The plan has been submitted to environmental protection authorities in the city and neighboring areas for larger feasibility studies. The recent green-blue algae outbreak was caused by eutrophication, which means the water's richness in mineral and organic nutrients promoted a proliferation of plant life such as algae. After repeated lab experiments, researchers at Fudan's environmental sciences and engineering department managed to discover a bacteria that can soak up excess nutrients in the water. "Lack of nutrients will naturally hinder the growth of algae," said Wang Xiangrong, a Fudan professor and the research program leader. He added the bacteria was even able to secrete a cellulose-dissolvable enzyme that could directly kill the toxic algae. Meanwhile, chemistry scholars also tried to fuse copper ions on magnetic nano-materials, as copper ions can bind with algae toxin. By scattering the special nano-material into water and using another magnet to draw it up, people can separate algae toxins from the water and reduce pollution. Preliminary lab experiments suggested that the nano-magnet technology was able to reduce algae toxins by more than 90 percent. The findings have been published in Small, an international academic journal of nano- and micro-sciences, according to Deng Chunhui, professor at Fudan's school of chemistry. In addition, three undergraduate students at Fudan also worked out a scheme to curb water eutrophication by planting two ornamental plants. The technology of treating water with nutrient-absorbing plants has been awarded a national patent, Fudan officials said. |
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