Exploring the potential of metallic peroxide granules for the in-situ mitigation of cyanoHABs
Date Issued
May 22, 2022
Abstract
Several chemical treatments have been tested over the years for the mitigation of blue-green
algae including harmful pesticides and algaecides. The latter ones are prohibited to be used in
many US states and the European Union, hence alternative treatments that are more
environmentally friendly are currently explored. Hydrogen peroxide (HP) is characterized as an
environmentally friendly approach as it does not produce harmful residues and an increased
sensitivity of cyanobacteria to HP treatment compared with green algae was reported. However,
dense blooms require high doses of HP that can disrupt the remaining ecosystem. To address this
problem, slow releasing HP metallic granules were used as an alternative to liquid HP solution.
Specifically, calcium peroxide granules were applied in surface water from Kouris Reservoir,
Cyprus. This study examined the HP releasing properties with varying pH values, their
mitigation efficiency on Microcystis sp. bloom in comparison with HP liquid application and
their toxicity on Echinogammarus veneris sp. in a range of concentrations. Results showed that
treatment with granules was efficient even at the low concentration of 0,5 g/L while the
equivalent liquid HP concentration was not. Toxicity studies on zooplankton indicated that the
low concentrations of the granules applied were not toxic.
algae including harmful pesticides and algaecides. The latter ones are prohibited to be used in
many US states and the European Union, hence alternative treatments that are more
environmentally friendly are currently explored. Hydrogen peroxide (HP) is characterized as an
environmentally friendly approach as it does not produce harmful residues and an increased
sensitivity of cyanobacteria to HP treatment compared with green algae was reported. However,
dense blooms require high doses of HP that can disrupt the remaining ecosystem. To address this
problem, slow releasing HP metallic granules were used as an alternative to liquid HP solution.
Specifically, calcium peroxide granules were applied in surface water from Kouris Reservoir,
Cyprus. This study examined the HP releasing properties with varying pH values, their
mitigation efficiency on Microcystis sp. bloom in comparison with HP liquid application and
their toxicity on Echinogammarus veneris sp. in a range of concentrations. Results showed that
treatment with granules was efficient even at the low concentration of 0,5 g/L while the
equivalent liquid HP concentration was not. Toxicity studies on zooplankton indicated that the
low concentrations of the granules applied were not toxic.