Scientists develop treatment removing phosphorus, a factor behind algal blooms, from water

Korean researchers have devised a sustainable method to better protect marine life from the repercussions of excess phosphorus.

Cha Yun-kyung explains.

Excess phosphorus in water causes an increase in algal blooms that cause green tides, which kill off fish and other organisms and pollute water resources, destroying marine ecosystems.

Existing water treatment plants for the removal of this phosphorus that comes from fertilizers and manufacturing run-offs require huge amounts of power consumption, but do not eliminate the algae effectively.

Researchers have developed a new type of water treatment that not only absorbs phosphorus in the water but also rids it of the green-tide-forming algae.

This apparatus uses sea-urchin-shaped magnetic nanoparticles on the inner surface of a tube and permanent magnets on the outer surface, which attract pollutants in contaminated water as it flows through.

"When 1 gram of pollutant is added, this water treatment system can retrieve a larger amount of phosphorus in 5 minutes, which is a huge advantage.

The inner surface is also coated with lanthanum which attracts phosphorus and copper that eliminates the algae, thus removing the pollutants that cause green tides effectively.

The purified water can then be reused by industries and farmers, and not just discharged into rivers as before.

"We were able to observe that the apparatus can process 99 percent of the total coliform group within the water. It can absorb a large amount of phosphorus, which can be removed and utilized as a cleaner for pipes."

As the water treatment apparatus can absorb phosphorus, which can be reused, and eliminate pollutants, the researchers expect that it can contribute to reducing climate change and water shortages.

Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.