Development of a Functional Mortar for Restraining Surface Algal Growth

Proliferation of algae on the surface of concrete or mortar in aquatic habitat has a negative impact on maintenance of concrete-based structures. Growth of algae may decrease stability of structure by bio-deterioration. In this study, we developed a functional mortar for restraining bio-deterioration by using $Cu^{2+}$ ion. The mortar contains soluble glass beads made of $Cu^{2+}$ ion, which can dissolve into water slowly. Mortars prepared with different ratio of glass beads (0, 2, 5, 10, and 15%) were placed in a culture medium with algae and incubated over a month period. Water chemistry, chlorophyll-a, and extracellular enzyme activities were measured. The incubation was conducted in both freshwater and seawater conditions, to assess applicability to both aquatic conditions. Overall, mortar with Cu glass exhibited lower chlorophyll-a content, suggesting that the functional mortar reduced algal growth. DOC concentration increased because debris of dead algae increased. Cu glass also decreased phosphatase activity, which is involved in the regeneration of inorganic P from organic moieties. Since, P is often a limiting nutrient for algal production, algal growth may be inhibited. Activities of ${\beta}$-glucosidase and N-acetylglucosaminidase were not significantly affected because carbon and nitrogen mineralization may not be influenced by the Cu glass beads. Our study suggests that functional mortar with Cu glass beads may reduce the growth of algae on the surface, while it has little environmental impact.