Mechanism and control of eutrophication in a freshwater ecosystem

Eutrophication is a natural process that lentic freshwater ecosystems undergo and is accelerating due to human activities. Eutrophication provides ideal conditions for harmful algal blooms, accelerated proliferation of cyanobacteria causes a light blockage, depletion of dissolved oxygen, and depending on the species, can release cyanotoxins that intoxicate the water. Yahuarcocha is an iconic lagoon for the province of Imbabura because of its cultural and tourist importance. In recent years, this lagoon has been affected by the eutrophication process that has caused harmful algal blooms where thousands of fish have died. This work is a literature review on eutrophication, its relationship with cyanobacteria, and the different methods to control them. The description of the cyanobacteria was done according to their taxonomy, morphology, and reproductive form, focusing at the end on the species Microcystis aeruginosa. As for cyanobacteria removal and control methods, six traditional chemical methods and six methods using metal-based nanoparticles were selected. This review describes the close relationship of eutrophication with cyanobacteria, their effects on ecosystems, public health, and even the economy. In addition, it was established that the difference in efficacy between traditional and metal nanoparticle control methods is not that significant. Based on the chemical characteristics of the Yahuarcocha lagoon, the comparison between methods concluded that the metal-based nanoparticles with the most significant potential for use in the lagoon are Fe3O4 nanoparticles, more specifically the Fe3O4/PACl compound.

• Päätekijä: Cadena Herrera, Erick Marcelo (author)
• Aineistotyyppi: bachelorThesis
• Kieli: eng
• Julkaistu: 2022
• Aiheet: Eutrofización; Nanopartículas; Cianobacterias; Yahuarcocha, Laguna; Remediación; Eutrophication; Nanoparticles; Cyanobacteria; Water treatment; Freshwater
• Linkit: http://repositorio.yachaytech.edu.ec/handle/123456789/500