Solar powered buoy controls toxic algal blooms using ultrasound waves
To combat the rise in blue-green algae that can cause problems in water reservoirs, Dutch company LG Sonic has developed a floating solar powered platform that emits specific ultrasonic parameters.
Called the MPC-Buoy, the solar-powered system combines online water quality monitoring, web-based software and ultrasonic technology to control harmful algal blooms in large water surfaces, such as lakes and drinking water reservoirs.
Ultrasound is cyclic sound pressure with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing. Without using chemicals, the algae control device emits ultrasound waves underwater.
Most types of algae will die from the ultrasonic pressure generated in the top layer of the water, according to the company.