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In
Australia there are at least 3000 freshwater species and
we are still counting.
However,
excessive growth of algae can reduce the aesthetic and
recreational value of a water body, can trap litter and
sediment, and reduce the holding capacity of a dam and
cause smells and scum when decaying.
Algal blooms may
deplete oxygen concentrations in water which can smother
fish, other animals and plant life, Floating algal
masses can smother rice crops and prevent young plants
from emerging,
They block
pipes, siphon tubes, irrigation channels and pumps
severely impeding water flow.
Certain blue-green algal
blooms are toxic and cause a rash known as swimmer's
itch, while powerful neuromuscular toxins released by
other cyanobacteria can kill fish living in the water or
the animals that drink the water.
In certain conditions,
cyanobacteria may form dense blooms, which may produce
toxins that make seafood poisonous to humans.
Even if
the cyanobacteria do not produce toxins, blooms can
cause water to have an unpleasant taste and odour.
Drinking Reservoirs
The discussions lead to a
trial agreement and ultrasonic units were installed in
April 2003 at one of their reservoirs at Barcombe near
Lewes in South East England.
This reservoir had
experienced major algae problems and most years had
experienced severe blooms, which resulted in weeks of
disruption to usage of the reservoir water.
Even the last
couple of years they could
not use this reservoir water for several weeks The
company had tried many technologies for algal control
but
none were satisfactory.
Since the installation of these ultrasonic units, even
in the hottest and sunniest summer since 1997 the
reservoir water has been utilised continuously for
processing with pond sonic
The reservoir is monitored
weekly for water analysis, chlorophyll levels and alga;
species present in the water.
The Compliance Manager has
an archive of all these analyses going back over a
number of years so we have
been able to compare these results with the current ones
obtained after installation of the ASM Pond Sonic ultrasonic units.
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