Exploring Important Design Parameters for Ozone Nanobubble Technology (NBOT) Treatment for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are large accumulations of toxin-producing algae that have become more prevalent worldwide. Currently, the widespread treatments for HABs often have negative impacts on water ecology. An alternative approach to HAB treatment, ozone nanobubble technology (NBOT), was investigated in this study. Ozone is a powerful oxidant that reacts with HABs through direct oxidation or through the generation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. Nanobubbles are microscopic bubbles with a long lifetime in aqueous solutions and large specific surface area due to their small size. By delivering ozone through the generation of nanobubbles, the effectiveness of ozone treatment may be improved by providing higher mass transfer and increased contact time with contaminants. This study investigated the use of NBOT for HAB treatment by analyzing the immediate effects of ozone nanobubble generation on organic matter, toxins, and nutrients. Samples from the influent, untreated water were compared to samples from the effluent solution immediately following single-pass treatment through the NBOT unit during mesocosm and lake field trials. Results found that NBOT increased DOC while decreasing aromaticity, increased total and aqueous microcystins, and decreased chlorophyll and total nitrogen at high ozone-to-DOC ratios. This study indicates that NBOT may be a viable option for HAB treatment, but a high ozone-to-DOC ratio (>1) is needed.

Presentation Preference: Either

Primary Presenter: Haley Kuhn, The Ohio State University (kuhn.701@osu.edu)

Authors:

Haley Kuhn, Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH  (kuhn.701@osu.edu)

Josh Fuchs, Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH  (jfuchs@hazenandsawyer.com)

Linda Weavers, Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH  (weavers.1@osu.edu)

Heather Raymond, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH  (raymond.54@osu.edu)

Rachel Gabor, School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH 43210, USA  (gabor.40@osu.edu)

Holly Stanley, School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH 43210, USA  (stanley.406@buckeyemail.osu.edu)

Lillian Labus, School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH 43210, USA  (labus.8@osu.edu)

Justin Chaffin, F.T. Stone Laboratory and Ohio Sea Grant, The Ohio State University, 878 Bayview Ave. P.O. Box 119, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA  (chaffin.46@osu.edu)

Autumn Taylor, F.T. Stone Laboratory and Ohio Sea Grant, The Ohio State University, 878 Bayview Ave. P.O. Box 119, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA  (autumntaylor@ofl.edu)

H. Dail Laughinhouse, Agronomy Department, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida—IFAS, 3205 College Avenue, Davie, FL 33314, USA  (hlaughinhouse@ufl.edu)

Forrest Lefler, Agronomy Department, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida—IFAS, 3205 College Avenue, Davie, FL 33314, USA  (flefler@ufl.edu)

David Berthold, Agronomy Department, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida—IFAS, 3205 College Avenue, Davie, FL 33314, USA  (dberthold@ufl.edu)

Eugene Braig IV, Ohio State University Extension, School of Environment and Natural Resources, 2021 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH 43210, USA  (braig.1@osu.edu)