Treatment of Zuzanna's Pond (Aluksne, Latvia)

The purpose of the experiment was to demonstrate the effectiveness and environmental safety of using BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ to treat blue-green algae and organic pollutants in Zuzanna's pond (total area - 1 hectare), as well as to improve water quality and clarity in the pond.

The objectives of the experiment included:

Carry out biological remediation of the pond using biotechnology BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ ;
Conduct related observations and records;
Eliminate blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) "blooms" in the pond;
Improve the appearance and recreational properties of the pond.

Description of the experiment

Before introducing the BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ bioproduct into the pond, as well as during the pilot project from June to September 2023 (once a month) and at the end of it, specialists from the Institute of Food safety, Animal Health and Environment «BIOR" (Latvia) took water samples for analysis of the taxonomic composition of phytoplankton, dissolved oxygen and pH of the water.

On June 16, 2023, our specialists, using a boat, evenly applied the BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ bioproduct in a volume of 50 liters along the entire perimeter of the pond.

During the pilot project, it turned out that the main source of “contamination” of the pond with cyanobacteria was the nearby Alūksne Lake (area 1,500 hectares). Through the fountain system of the Alūksne Palace Park, water from the lake constantly flowed into the pond and brought blue-green algae cells with it. Blue-green algae began to actively multiply every year from August to September and cause a “bloom” in the pond, releasing dangerous toxins.

After adding the BIOCHLOFEED bioproduct, the problem with blue-green algae was completely resolved and the pond did not “bloom” in 2023.

On September 10, 2023, the pilot project was considered successful and ended.

Analyzes from May 25, 2023 (Zuzanna's pond):

Phytplankton: green microalgae - 75.2-92.4%, diatoms - 7.6–25%, cyanobacteria - 0.02-0.07%. Oxygen - 7.7 mg/l, pH - 8.1

Analyzes from July 20, 2023 (Zuzanna's pond):

Phytplankton: green microalgae (Chlorophyceae) - 98.6-99.4% (of which Chlorella Vulgaris - 96.6-97.1%), diatoms - 0.2%, cyanobacteria - 1.2%. Oxygen - 5.1 mg/l, pH - 8.2

Analyzes from September 4, 2023 (Zuzanna's pond):

Phytplankton: green microalgae (Chlorophyceae) - 93.6-95.4% (of which Chlorella Vulgaris - 90.4-94.2%), cyanobacteria - 1.9-4.6%. Oxygen - 9.1 mg/l, pH - 7.7 At the point where water flows from Lake Alūksne: green microalgae (Chlorophyceae) - 34.7%, cyanobacteria - 65.3%

Analyzes from September 7, 2023 (Lake Aluksne):

Phytplankton: green microalgae - 2.2%, diatoms - 44.0%, cyanobacteria - 53.8%

Fight against cyanobacteria

The method has shown well the possibilities of effectively and safely blocking the development of cyanobacteria in a pond. Despite the constant supply of blue-green algae from Lake Aluksne, due to the dominance in the pond of the KD BCF strain of green microalgae of the Chlorellaceae family, on the basis of which the bioproduct BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ is produced, cyanobacteria were unable to gain a foothold and develop and the pond did not “bloom” in 2023.

Improving the appearance of the pond

A visual inspection of the pond demonstrated the capabilities of biotechnology based on the biological product BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ to improve the appearance of water bodies: Zuzanna’s pond acquired the natural appearance of a healthy reservoir with a smooth mirror surface, stains from petroleum products disappeared and water transparency appeared.

Economic efficiency

The method of biological remediation of fresh water bodies using BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ biotechnology has no economic alternative. A preliminary comparative analysis with existing methods of treating water bodies from blue-green algae and organic pollutants showed that none of them can compare in effectiveness, environmental safety and cost with BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ biotechnology.

Main conclusions:

Despite the difficult conditions (constant supply of cyanobacteria from Lake Aluksne), the method has proven itself to be effective and environmentally safe.
In addition to the main objective (control of blue-green algae), the method has demonstrated the ability to significantly improve the appearance and recreational qualities of the pond.
Calculations of economic efficiency have proven that there is no economic alternative to BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ biotechnology.