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Review
. 2024 May 15;27(6):109990.
doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109990. eCollection 2024 Jun 21.

Principles and research progress of physical prevention and control technologies for algae in eutrophic water

Yuyao Wang  1   2 , Yuanrong Zhu  1 , Kuo Wang  1 , Yidan Tan  1 , Xiaojie Bing  1   3 , Juan Jiang  1   4 , Wen Fang  2   5 , Liang Chen  6 , Haiqing Liao  1
Affiliations
Review

Principles and research progress of physical prevention and control technologies for algae in eutrophic water

Yuyao Wang et al. iScience. .

Abstract

The abnormal reproduction of algae in water worldwide is prominent in the context of human interference and global climate change. This study first thoroughly analyzed the effects of physical factors, such as light, temperature, hydrodynamics, and operational strategies, on algal growth and their mechanisms. Physical control techniques are safe and have great potential for preventing abnormal algal blooms in the absence of chemical reagents. The focus was on the principles and possible engineering applications of physical shading, ultrasound, micro-current, and ultraviolet (UV) technologies, in controlling abnormal algal reproduction. Physical shading can inhibit or weaken photosynthesis in algae, thereby inhibiting their growth. Ultrasound mainly affects the physiological and biochemical activities of cells by destroying the cell walls, air cells, and active enzymes. Micro-currents destroy the algal cell structure through direct and indirect oxidation, leading to algal cell death. UV irradiation can damage DNA, causing organisms to be unable to reproduce or algal cells to die directly. This article comprehensively summarizes and analyzes the advantages of physical prevention and control technologies for the abnormal reproduction of algae, providing a scientific basis for future research. In the future, attempts will be made toward appropriately and comprehensively utilizing various physical technologies to control algal blooms. The establishment of an intelligent, comprehensive physical prevention and control system to achieve environmentally friendly, economical, and effective physical prevention and control of algae, such as the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China, is of great importance for specific waters.

Keywords: Environmental engineering; Environmental science; Water resources engineering.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

None
Graphical abstract
Figure 1
Figure 1
Generalization diagram of factors influencing the occurrence of algal blooms (of which, ① nitrogen fixation, ② nitrification, ③ denitrification, ④ ammonification, ⑤ assimilation, ⑥ adsorption, ⑦ desorption, ⑧ sedimentation, ⑨ mineralization, ⑩ re-suspension, ⑪ adsorption complexation, ⑫ dissolution)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Keywords for bibliometric-based algal prevention and control technologies (2011–2023)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Clustering of algal prevention and control (2010–2022)
Figure 4
Figure 4
Algae prevention and control word cloud (2010–2022)
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mechanism of the inhibition of algal growth by shading (① is the photosynthesis of algae, ② to ⑤ are the buoyancy regulation mechanism of algae, and ⑥ and ⑦ are the PSI and PSII of microalgae cells that are destroyed by too high illumination, where PSI: PhotosystemI, and PSII: PhotosystemII)
Figure 6
Figure 6
Possible mechanisms of ultrasonic waves on the inhibition of algal growth (where ①∼③ are the destruction of the cell wall, demolition of air cells, and destruction of active enzymes by ultrasonic waves, respectively, and ④ is the destruction process inside the cell)
Figure 7
Figure 7
Mechanism of micro-current for the inhibition of algal growth (where PSII: Photosystem II)
Figure 8
Figure 8
Mechanism of algae prevention and inhibition by UV irradiation (where UV, ultraviolet)
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