Engineering Commons^™

The Mitigation Of Eutrophication Using Microporous Polymer Membranes To Control Algae Growth, Christopher R. Riley

Materials Engineering

A system was designed to mitigate the accelerated process of anthropogenic eutrophication. This system aimed to contain Chlorella Vulgaris microalgae cells within an enclosed polymer membrane pouch while allowing for water and nutrients to diffuse through the pouch. As a test model, a 10 gallon aquarium was partitioned into three sections using polycarbonate membranes with 1 micron pore diameters. Each section was then gradually filled with a deionized water and Bristol solution recommended for microalgae growth. Phosphate and nitrate were added to Section A of the aquarium and allowed to diffuse throughout the tank. A water pump was used to …