Control of Freshwater Algae with Hydrogen Peroxide

The purpose of this study is to propose a method of controlling freshwater algae which grows abundantly and forms water bloom in the eutrophic water body with $H_2O_2$. Both laboratory and field methodologies were used. For the laboratory test $H_2O_2$ was injected into the different growth phases of incubated Microcystis aeruginosa and the resulting algae growth control rate was examined. For the field test, $H_2O_2$ was dispersed into a lake. Lake water quality was evaluated using a pre-test and post-test analysis of chlorophyll-a, luminance, transmittance, etc., which allowed a comparative evaluation of water quality change. From the experimental results, the growth of algae can be controlled with the small amount of 1mg/L of $H_2O_2$ at the lag phase of growth. The field test results show that the green colour of lake water was removed completely by the reduction of chlorophyll-a and improved transmittance, luminance, TKN, TP, TOC and SS. These indicators of water quality were improved significantly after $H_2O_2$ injection. Toxicity test results using the lake fish show no evidence of detrimental effect of $H_2O_2$ up to 15mg/L. The results of $EC_{50}$ with P. phosphoreum show that the toxicity of $H_2O_2$ was negligible compared to copper which was commonly used for algae control.

과산화수소를 이용한 담수 조류의 제어