Mitigation of HABs in Mantua Reservoir, Utah using Floating, Time-released, Peroxide-based Algaecide Lake Guard Oxy

Mantua Reservoir is highly productive, creating problems that include HABs, low DO, and high pH. As of 08/7/23, local water authorities issued a health advisory warning due to elevated cyanotoxin levels, rendering the water unsuitable for recreational activities and consumption. Historic documented deaths of fish and dogs were due to Mantua Reservoir’s cyanotoxin levels. BlueGreen Water Technologies used its Lake Guard Technology for assessment, monitoring, and treatment. Lake Guard Oxy algaecide is formulated with a proprietary coating that enables the product to float and slowly time-release into the water column its active ingredient, sodium percarbonate, that converts to hydrogen peroxide when mixed with water, which induces oxidative stress on cyanobacteria. Results from using an UAV to capture live images before and after the mitigation treatment showed a marked improvement in water clarity and a notable reduction of the HAB. Secchi disk depth increased from 0.35m prior to treatment to 2.33m after treatment. Results of toxin analyses showed a significant decrease in Microcystin levels to below the state’s threshold for a public warning advisory. Results of biodiversity showed a discernible rise in the average daily Shannon Diversity of phytoplankton cells from 1.18 to 1.43 and means a 20.7% increase in the overall biodiversity. Results from the in-situ dry biomass measurements ranged from 0.25 to 0.34 g/L, with a mean value of 0.28 g/L. These results indicated a uniform biomass distribution both vertically and horizontally.

Primary Presenter: Jessica Frost, BlueGreen Water US Technologies (jessica.frost@bluegreenwatertech.com)

Authors:

Jessica Frost, BlueGreen Water US Technologies  (jessica.frost@bluegreenwatertech.com)

Gad Weiss, BlueGreen Water Technologies  (gweiss@bluegreenwatertech.com)

Wika Wulandari, BlueGreen Water Technologies  (wika.wulandari@bluegreenwatertech.com)

Bar Efrati, BlueGreen Water Technologies  (bar.efrati@bluegreenwatertech.com)

Gad Raz, BlueGreen Water Technologies  (graz@bluegreenwatertech.com)

Moshe Harel, BlueGreen Water Technologies  (moshe@bluegreenwatertech.com)

Oori Weisshaus, BlueGreen Water Technologies  (oori@bluegreenwatertech.com)