Grantee Research Project Results
HAB Early Mitigation by Magnetic Photocatalysts
EPA Grant Number: SU840174Title: HAB Early Mitigation by Magnetic Photocatalysts
Investigators: Liu, Jia , Goodson, Boyd , Li, Ruopu , Chen, Kang , Adhikari, Pratima , Baral, Sudip , Xia, Chunjie , Senanayake, Ishani M , Pugh, Margaret D , Prado, Luis , Alshammari, Bader A , Xia, Yuxuan
Current Investigators: Liu, Jia , Goodson, Boyd , Xia, Chunjie , Li, Ruopu , Chen, Kang , Adhikari, Pratima , Baral, Sudip , Senanayake, Ishani M , Pugh, Margaret D , Prado, Luis , Alshammari, Bader A , Xia, Yuxuan , Khan, Nafeesa , Regmi, Sushmita , Wu, Di , O’Brien, Emily , Lanier, Elle E
Institution: Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
EPA Project Officer: Spatz, Kyle
Phase: I
Project Period: December 1, 2020 through November 30, 2021
Project Amount: $24,991
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Description:
Frequent outbreaks of harmful algal blooms (HABs) have impacted human health, economic profit, as well as recreational activities in many communities in the U.S. In this study, HABs mitigation will be investigated by the innovative early detection and remediation strategy using magnetic photocatalysts – γFe2O3/TiO2. HABs will first be monitored by quantitative PCR tests following automatic sample collection, and an aerial drone in their early stage, then the photocatalysts will be utilized for early HABs mitigation through cyanobacteria inactivation, cyanotoxin photodegradation, and the possible nutrient − phosphates − absorption. The photocatalysts could be recycled by their magnetic properties for reuse. Communities impacted by HAB outbreaks would benefit from the project by increasing their resilience to HAB events.
Objective:
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasingly a global concern and a major environmental problem in all 50 states in the U.S. It adversely affects water quality of both freshwaters and coastal waters, and poses negative health and economic impacts. HABs are often associated with high concentrations of cyanobacteria, which can produce cyanotoxins that are harmful to humans, as well as to pets, fish, birds, and other wildlife [3]. In particular, HABs seriously affect the resilience of our communities from using the surface water resources for recreational purposes, thus strategies to mitigate HABs are critically important. However, current mitigation methods either add solid materials into sediments, or potentially create other sources of contaminants into the surface water, or can only treat organisms (e.g., cyanobacteria) but not the toxins produced by them (especially with the fact that the toxins will be released into the water after death and lysis of cyanobacteria), and the removal of nutrients (e.g., phosphates) − a possible reason for HABs − is largely omitted. Here we propose to exploit a ‘smart’ strategy to mitigate HABs in their early-stages by not only reducing the amount of cyanobacteria, but also degrading the cyanotoxins, and removing phosphates − one probable cause; besides, HABs in their early stages will be monitored by two different pathways: molecular detection following auto-sampling, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) detection, in order to effectively control HABs before their outbreaks.
Approach:
The research will focus on the Campus Lake in Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC, Carbondale, IL), and Herrin Old Lake (IL-RNZD) - used for hiking and natural trip purposes but with frequent HAB outbreaks. Toxic cyanobacteria species, e.g., Microcystis aeruginosa and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, their toxins, e.g., microcystin and cylindrospermopsin, as well as orthophosphate concentrations will be monitored. Lab-made γFe2O3/TiO2 nanomaterial will be used as biocides, photocatalysts, and absorbents. The material is superior also in its easy recycling by its magnetic property, thus will minimize introduction of extra solids to the sediments after their exposure in surface waters.
The project broadens participation by involving students with diverse background in research. The project provides research opportunities to undergraduate students through a variety of programs, such as SIUC’s Research Enriched Academic Challenge Program, and the University Honor’s Program. Educational resources developed from this project will be available to SIUC’s SMASH students (~25/semester), who are high school students from traditionally underrepresented communities and are interested in pursuing STEM career, and to students in three community colleges nearby (i.e., max. 30 min drive): John A. Logan College, Shawnee Community College, and Rend Lake College, by offering free classes, as well as to high school students participating in Saluki H.S. Water Workshop hosted annually by SIUC.
Expected Results:
Successful completion of the Phases I project will demonstrate the effectiveness to mitigate HABs (including cyanotoxins) in early-stage in freshwaters by the magnetic photocatalysts – γFe2O3/TiO2, as well as by the early monitoring strategy. Project results will be shared with Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission for water quality management, and three departments in SIUC involved in managing the Campus Lake: Center for Environmental Health and Safety, Student Recreation Center, and Plant and Service Operations. The result will also be disseminated in water treatment and ecotoxicity communities through oral/poster presentations and publications.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 2 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Blue-green algae, unmanned aerial vehicle, nanoparticle.Progress and Final Reports:
P3 Phase II:
HAB early mitigation by magnetic photocatalystsThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.