Controlling Cyanobacteria with Ultrasound

Cyanobacteria present a risk to drinking water supplies when large blooms occur in reservoirs in warmer months. High concentrations affect water quality, increase risk to public health, and present a significant financial liability to water utilities, which must meet stringent standards. The treatment of cyanobacterial blooms has traditionally been carried out using copper algicides, which also affect non-target species and can result in metal residue in the reservoir sediments. As an alternative, ultrasound treatment has been the subject of research, and treatment units are commercially available. This paper presents a brief review of the scientific literature and published field trial reports, a desktop analysis of patents and commercial brochures, and a review of the limitations that the technology is currently facing.