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Satellite Images Show Threat of Florida’s Toxic Algal Bloom

LG Sonic
23 Jul 2018
Aidan Barry
Administrator / Office Personnel

Industry news

Remote sensing images from the Dutch water treatment company LG Sonic, obtained from satellite data, show in detail the algae levels in the Lake

Florida’s Lake Okeechobee has experienced a massive algal bloom that threatened waterways throughout the entire state. Large-scale algal blooms could cause many grave issues within the local ecosystem, and far beyond. Harmful algal blooms (HAB) can cause sudden and long-lasting damage, not only to one marine ecosystem, but to multiple as the HAB flows onwards.

Each year Lake Okeechobee in Florida experiences algal blooms throughout the summer. In 2018, algae levels rose even higher than normal and caused problems for the environment and local residents, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in the counties of as Lee, Hendry and Glades.

LG Sonic uses technology based on satellite remote sensing, water quality monitoring, and ultrasound technology to control algal blooms in large water bodies. The ultrasound technology is a green, sustainable, chemical-free solutionsuitable for treatment of HAB in large waterways such as lakes, dams and reservoirs without using chemicals, and without affecting other organisms in the lake such as plants and fish. It is clean and safe, used by premiere top-level water utilities, with LG Sonic appointed an official certified innovation partner of American Water.

The technology, called the MPC-Buoy, uses real-time water quality monitoring and remote sensing to analyze present algae and predict algal blooms. Based on this info, ultrasound is used to control algae specifically without harming other organisms. This is crucial as there is a requirement for more sustainable approaches to HAB treatment - one that shifts away from the use of harmful chemicals to new technology.

The MPC-Buoy has been used at lakes and reservoirs around the world and has been proven to control algal blooms and their associated toxins, in many cases completely replacing the need to chemically treat the lake or reservoir. LG Sonic is running MPC-Buoy projects with top-level water utilities such as American Water (US), EPM (Colombia), South West Water (UK) and Watercare (New-Zealand).

For more news on water quality, visit our Environmental Community >>


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UltrasonicUltrasonication is used to process liquids as an alternative to high speed mixers and mills. Ultrasonic processors and ultrasonic homogenizer systems can be used in the lab and industry to ultrasonicate liquids.Environmental Monitoring and TestingEnvironmental monitoring and testing uses handheld portable analyzers, kits, spectrometers or chromatography systems for air, water, soil, food and other sample testing. Useful features of analyzers such as BOD and COD include portability, easy calibration, automation and sensitivity.  Environmental test kits for pH, water, moisture, etc, should be accurate, sensitive, reliable, fast and easy to use.Water PurificationThere are a number of water purification methods available to remove contamination from laboratory water. These systems include demineralization, reverse osmosis, filtration and ultrafiltration. A combination of methods is sometimes necessary to achieve purified water suitable for use in experiments.AlgaeWater Security MonitoringWater AnalysisAnalytical methods used to test the purity of drinking water include determining the level of contaminants abides to the level set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).ToxicityToxicity is defined as the degree to which a substance can harm humans or animals. It is essential to study the toxicity of pharmaceutical products during the development process so that optimum dosage can be established for the administration of the drug.

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Satellite Images Show Threat of Florida’s Toxic Algal Bloom