US EPA

7458581 

Journal Article 

Recent advances in ultrasonic treatment: Challenges and field applications for controlling harmful algal blooms (HABs) 

Park, J; Church, J; Son, Y; Kim, KT; Lee, WH 

2017 

1 

Ultrasonics Sonochemistry
ISSN: 1350-4177
EISSN: 1873-2828 

Elsevier B.V. 

38 

326-334 

English 

10.1016/j.ultsonch.2017.03.003 

Algal blooms are a naturally occurring phenomenon which can occur in both freshwater and saltwater. However, due to excess nutrient loading in water bodies (e.g. agricultural runoff and industrial activities), harmful algal blooms (HABs) have become an increasing issue globally, and can even cause health effects in humans due to the release of cyanotoxins. Among currently available treatment methods, sonication has received increasing attention for algal control because of its low impact on ecosystems and the environment. The effects of ultrasound on algal cells are well understood and operating parameter such as frequency, intensity, and duration of exposure has been well studied. However, most studies have been limited to laboratory data interpretation due to complicated environmental conditions in the field. Only a few field and pilot tests in small reservoirs were reported and the applicability of ultrasound for HABs prevention and control is still under question. There is a lack of information on the upscaling of ultrasonication devices for HAB control on larger water bodies, considering field influencing factors such as rainfall, light intensity/duration, temperature, water flow, nutrients loading, and turbidity. In this review article, we address the challenges and field considerations of ultrasonic applications for controlling algal blooms. An extensive literature survey, from the fundamentals of ultrasound techniques to recent ultrasound laboratory and field studies, has been thoroughly conducted and summarized to identify future technical expectations for field applications. Case studies investigating spatial distribution of frequency and pressure during sonication are highlighted with future implications. © 2017 Elsevier B.V. 

Algal blooms; Cyanobacteria; Field application; Harmful algal blooms (HABs); Sonication; Ultrasound; Agricultural robots; Agricultural runoff; Algae control; Flow of water; Reservoirs (water); Sonication; Ultrasonics; Algal blooms; Cyanobacteria; Distribution of frequency; Environmental conditions; Field application; Harmful algal blooms; Laboratory and field studies; Prevention and controls; Nutrients; microcystin; bacterial toxin; algal bloom; environmental impact; environmental management; field study; fluid intake; light intensity; nonhuman; nutrient loading; priority journal; remote sensing; Review; sound pressure; turbidity; ultrasound; water flow; water temperature; devices; environmental protection; human; isolation and purification; procedures; ultrasound; Bacterial Toxins; Conservation of Natural Resources; Harmful Algal Bloom; Humans; Sonication; Ultrasonic Waves