Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic microorganisms found mainly in surface waters. High concentrations of nutrients (mainly nitrogen and phosphorus), lead to the formation of harmful cyanobacterial blooms known as “cyanoHABs”. These harmful cyanobacteria have the capability of releasing a plethora of cyanotoxins which can have adverse effects not only on the human and animal health but also on the aquatic ecosystem.
This study aimed to examine the effect of humics on calcium peroxide (CaO2) granules treatment to suppress the proliferation of the Microcystis sp. bloom in a surface water matrix. This study emphasizes the necessity of developing an efficient and affordable treatment to eliminate cyanoHABs that may be present over wide areas of water and have the ability to threaten the aquatic ecosystem.
This is how I came up with the idea for this project:This issue was brought to our attention after the release of articles from our local newspapers that contained pictures of neglected cyanobacterial blooms in Lake athalassa national park in Cyprus. We thereby acknowledged the severity of this issue and decided to become part of the solution to this worldwide concern.
