By Lauren Garner
Of the many environmental concerns, water is of top priority
alongside various natural resources that are progressing towards indefinite depletion.
As a resource for humans and animals respectably, water serves as an ecosystem
with an abundance of biodiversity. Cyanobacteria is among many organisms
commonly found within aquatic ecosystems with the ability to both proliferate
and accumulate on the water’s surface becoming detrimental to the health of the
habitat. Cyanobacterial blooms are the result of oxygen depletion and the
release of cyanotoxins making the water uninhabitable and toxic for consumption. Contributing
factors to cyanobacterial blooms include rapid proliferation and increased buoyancy,
consequently leading to the rise of cyanobacteria to the surface and allowing
for exposure to high temperatures and light intensity. The following study aims
to reduce the occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms through a one-step solution
treatment to target cell growth and density. The use of silica nanoparticles by
poly-diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (PDADMAC) on cyanobacteria allowed for
the stability of growth and biomass of the organism, decreasing cell death, toxin production, and accumulation.
The study’s treatment is evidently effective as trade-offs
such as pollution and increased toxicity by reducing cyanobacterial bloom prevalence
has previously occurred through other potential solutions. The one-step
treatment serves as a biologically and economically friendly solution allowing
for the sustainability of aquatic environments at low costs.
Reference
Wei X., Yiming T., Changyu S., Yueqi Z., Biao J., Tingting H., Ya'nan M., Lei S., Weimin M., Xurong X., and Ruikang T. 2017. Prevention of cyanobacterial blooms using nanosilica: a biomineralization-inspired strategy. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 51, 21: 12717-12726
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