Well this blog was a positive experience. I accomplished my main goals and have come to realize a lot about water pollution and its various solutions.
I doubt I will ever be back on here to post again so thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed what I had to say.
-Ryan
Monday, May 3, 2010
Blue-green algae turns dirty water into clean energy
Here is more information on algae as a solution.
This cite goes into more detail on how the process actually works.
This a a growing field and new technologies are being put to use.
http://www.cleantech.com/news/4666/blue-green-algae-turns-dirty-water
This cite goes into more detail on how the process actually works.
This a a growing field and new technologies are being put to use.
http://www.cleantech.com/news/4666/blue-green-algae-turns-dirty-water
The science behind the algae...
"NASA scientists have proposed an ingenious and remarkably resourceful process to produce 'clean energy' bio-fuels, that cleans waste water, removes carbon dioxide from the air, retains important nutrients, and does not compete with agriculture for land or freshwater."
"Land plants currently used to produce biodiesel and other fuels include soy, canola, and palm trees. For the sake of comparison, soy beans produce about 50 gallons of oil per acre per year; canola produces about 160 gallons per acre per year, and palms about 600 gallons per acre per year. But some types of algae can produce at least 2,000 gallons of oil per acre per year."
There is a lot more science involved in this process but the basic idea is taking dirty water and using algae to clean it. After the algae is grown it can also be used in bio-fuels. The money made in this process can be vast once the technology is put into place and is made readily available.
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/features/2009/clean_energy_042209.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9933355-54.html
"Land plants currently used to produce biodiesel and other fuels include soy, canola, and palm trees. For the sake of comparison, soy beans produce about 50 gallons of oil per acre per year; canola produces about 160 gallons per acre per year, and palms about 600 gallons per acre per year. But some types of algae can produce at least 2,000 gallons of oil per acre per year."
There is a lot more science involved in this process but the basic idea is taking dirty water and using algae to clean it. After the algae is grown it can also be used in bio-fuels. The money made in this process can be vast once the technology is put into place and is made readily available.
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/features/2009/clean_energy_042209.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9933355-54.html
Biofuels
Not only would the algae be used to clean the water but it would then be used as a biofuel. This will reduces air and water pollution from emissions while cleaning water at the same time. There would be great money to be made through this process.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/algae-for-biofuels-grown-with-waste-water-austin-texas-video.php
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/algae-for-biofuels-grown-with-waste-water-austin-texas-video.php
New Technology!
Algae has been tested for years. Throughout the world scientists have been researching uses for algae. It is easily grown and has many uses. Algae is used in fertilizers, it is used for pigmentation, nutrition, as an energy source, and more importantly it is a way to TREAT WATER POLLUTION!
Beyond prevention and individual efforts I think this is one of the more effective solutions for water pollution. This is a great solution that would be good for the health of our environment, the economy, and the fields of science and technology that would grow from the use of algae.
(Photo courtesy of Kong18lor of photobucket.com)
The Facts!
So I realized the it might be useful to throw some numbers and stats into this blog before I go any further with solutions. The cite below did a really good job at separating the "facts from myths".
-Only 20% of pollutants actually come from "water based activities"; such as boating, swimming, and even CRUISE SHIPS!
-The other 80% comes from "land based activities"; these are what I have been talking about in previous posts. This is the storm water, the runoff, and agricultural pollutants seeping into our water supply.
-50% of worldwide groundwater is unsuitable for drinking thanks to pollution.
-Annually, plastic litter is responsible for the deaths of more than 100,000 marine mammals like porpoises and sea otters.
-This same plastic pollution is responsible for the deaths of at least a million sea birds and waterfowl like pelicans and gulls.
-The number of fish deaths by plastic are estimated near three or four million on an annual basis.
-Polluted groundwater can be pinpointed as the cause for more than 250 million diseases including cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Of these 250 million cases, about 8 million result in death from polluted groundwater.
These numbers are more than enough evidence to prove that water pollution is a huge problem.
http://scipeeps.com/water-pollution-facts-in-numbers-and-stats/
-Only 20% of pollutants actually come from "water based activities"; such as boating, swimming, and even CRUISE SHIPS!
-The other 80% comes from "land based activities"; these are what I have been talking about in previous posts. This is the storm water, the runoff, and agricultural pollutants seeping into our water supply.
-50% of worldwide groundwater is unsuitable for drinking thanks to pollution.
-Annually, plastic litter is responsible for the deaths of more than 100,000 marine mammals like porpoises and sea otters.
-This same plastic pollution is responsible for the deaths of at least a million sea birds and waterfowl like pelicans and gulls.
-The number of fish deaths by plastic are estimated near three or four million on an annual basis.
-Polluted groundwater can be pinpointed as the cause for more than 250 million diseases including cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Of these 250 million cases, about 8 million result in death from polluted groundwater.
These numbers are more than enough evidence to prove that water pollution is a huge problem.
http://scipeeps.com/water-pollution-facts-in-numbers-and-stats/
Monday, April 26, 2010
What we can do at home...
- Clean up pet waste!
- Recycle vehicle fluids and make sure your vehicles aren't leaking fluids in the driveway. This will go into those storm drains...
- When cleaning the driveway or garage sweep up the debris instead of washing it away with the water hose.
- Collect and remove yard waste from mowing and cleaning up your yard!
- Take your car to a car wash that collects the dirty water. When cleaning at home you are just washing the contaminants down the storm drains again.
- Be sure that you follow directions on watering in fertilizers, this will prevent it from washing away into water supplies.
"Storm Water Pollution Prevention - City of Albuquerque." Albuquerque - Official City Website. 24 Apr. 2006. Web. 26 Apr. 2010.
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