<p>Another assay that was widely used is launching copper sulfate or other copper compounds [3]. Copper can replace magnesium in Chlorophyll, blocking photosynthesis in cyanobacteria. However, copper can also harm other organisms’ metabolism while inhibiting water blooms. Therefore, these compounds are hardly used now.</p>
<p>Another assay that was widely used is launching copper sulfate or other copper compounds [3]. Copper can replace magnesium in Chlorophyll, blocking photosynthesis in cyanobacteria. However, copper can also harm other organisms’ metabolism while inhibiting water blooms. Therefore, these compounds are hardly used now.</p>
<figcaption>Figure 11、12: iGEM members were investigating chemical treating assays in NIGLAS</figcaption>
<figcaption>Figure 11、12: iGEM members were investigating chemical treating assays in NIGLAS</figcaption>
Line 182:
Line 182:
<p>“The common shortcoming in most experiments on preventing microcystis growth is the lack of preliminary calculations and an analysis of the results of long-term monitoring of hydrobiological, hydrochemical, and hydrophysical characteristics of water. Mathematical modeling is seldom used, although it is important for predicting the results of action on microcystis growth. Complex ecological technologies that imply a combined use of inexpensive physicochemical and bio- chemical techniques that do not affect ecological norms have almost completely been ignored.” [4]</p>
<p>“The common shortcoming in most experiments on preventing microcystis growth is the lack of preliminary calculations and an analysis of the results of long-term monitoring of hydrobiological, hydrochemical, and hydrophysical characteristics of water. Mathematical modeling is seldom used, although it is important for predicting the results of action on microcystis growth. Complex ecological technologies that imply a combined use of inexpensive physicochemical and bio- chemical techniques that do not affect ecological norms have almost completely been ignored.” [4]</p>
<figcaption>Figure 14: YU Congyu was explaining Peking’s project to dean of Taihu Observatory. </figcaption>
<figcaption>Figure 14: YU Congyu was explaining Peking’s project to dean of Taihu Observatory. </figcaption>
Revision as of 03:05, 15 October 2014
Water bloom in Taihu
Over 80% fresh water lakes in China are under threatens of water blooms, including the five biggest ones. Algal blooms burst annually in these lakes, harming ecosystem and industries, affecting citizens’ ordinary lives. Fresh water is the fundamental basis of our life, but now it has to be suffering.
Besides China, many countries also regard water blooms as a serious concern as the result of its scale and hazard. For instance, Erie Lake in North America experienced an enormous water bloom in 2011. The area conquered by cyanobacteria once reached nearly 2000 square miles. Residents around were warning due to the high concentration of Microcystin from dead algae.
This summer, Peking iGEM Team went to NIGLAS (Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences) in Nanjing and Taihu Limnology Ecology Observatory in Wuxi (Figure 1). We interviewed researchers and citizens, exploring the mechanism of algal bloom occurrence and existing anti-bloom treatments (discussed below). Further more, we got first-hand information of public opinion to water blooms.
Taihu Lake lies in the southeast area of China, adjacent Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province (Figure 2、3). As the third biggest lakes in China, Taihu Lake covers 2427.8㎞², and has a 393.2 km long shore. Taihu Lake is big but shallow, with an average depth of 1.89m.
From 1987, water bloom began to become a serious concern in Taihu Lake due to gradual eutrophication. It bursts year after year in Taihu Lake, and there seems to be no end of it. Up to now, more than 80% of the water body has been heavily eutrophicated.