Polk County manages some of the toughest species
Polk County in Florida has a history of algae blooms leading to degraded water quality, breakdown of ecosystems
and the formation of toxins which pose a significant risk to wildlife and public health.
Case Study: Polk County, Florida, USA
Sentinel AIQ System with Pulsar 4400
Blue Lake - 54 acres Sentinel AIQ System - Solar Powered Hickory Lake - 101 acres
WaterIQ Technologies, the parent company to Algae Control Australia, has partnered with the Polk County Natural Resources to combat harmful algae blooms they affecting two public lakes: Hickory Lake and Blue Lake.
In search of a cost effective and sustainable solution they chose to implement the Sentinel AIQ systems which are equipped with their own solar power supply eliminating the need for main electricity.
Initial water samples were taken from both lakes, focusing on cyanobacteria counts. Subsequent tests identified the species present, revealing Microcystis, Arthrospira, and Cylindrospermopsis.
While Microcystis was the dominant species in both lakes, the presence of the notoriously difficult-to-control Cylindrospermopsis in Blue Lake raised significant concerns due to its rapid reproduction and potential to produce harmful toxins. Observing how their new 4400 frequency technology helps tackle this challenge
is very interesting.
Results after a 4 month period:
• Hickory Lake experienced an 85% decrease in cyanobacteria
• Blue Lake experienced a 42% decrease in cyanobacteria
In both lakes, the Sentinel AIQ with pulsar 4400™ demonstrated their effectiveness by significantly reducing the abundance of toxin-producing cyanobacteria and preventing further proliferation. Both Microcystis and Cylindrospermopsis factored into the total concentrations values.
With Cylindrospermopsis being our focus species on this study the last 3 tests where species were identified did reveal this species going from 76.14ppm- count 24 to 47.66ppm count 15 to 0ppm on the last test results.
Cylindrospermopsis
Cylindrospermopsis is a planktonic genus of filamentous cyanobacteria that can proliferate into dense blooms in freshwater systems. Certain species within this genus produce cylindrospermopsin, a potent toxin that poses significant risks to humans and aquatic organisms.
This genus thrives in nutrient-enriched environments, contributing to eutrophication processes that lead to hypoxia, or oxygen depletion, in aquatic ecosystems.
Such conditions can create hypoxic zones detrimental to aquatic life. Cylindrospermopsis can outcompete other phytoplankton, disrupting the aquatic food web and impacting ecosystem dynamics.
The economic repercussions of Cylindrospermopsis blooms include increased costs for water treatment and negative effects on recreational activities and fisheries. Effective management requires rigorous monitoring of nutrient levels and algal populations, mitigating nutrient runoff, and implementing control strategies to manage and prevent algal blooms.
