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Florida county investigating new algae cleanup technologies
This year has been a much better summer for water lovers on the Treasure Coast with fewer sightings of toxic blue-green
algae.
Still, efforts continue to figure out the best ways to clean up algae of all types.
SPECIAL COVERAGE: Protecting Paradise
In the Poinicana Gardens community of Hobe Sound, the normally quiet streets were rattled recently by the sound of
machinery.
It was an effort by a company called Blue Nano Technologies to clear a retention pond of algae. It’s not a toxic
blue-green variety.
“The county is doing everything we can possibly do to investigate these new technologies that are forthcoming," said
Martin County Environmental Coordinator Dianne Hughes.
The technology used in Hobe Sound was developed in Japan. Microscopic bubbles are injected with oxygen in an effort to
clear the algae by oxidizing it. The company plans a second effort this month.
“They’re going to remobilize and finish that job. It was mostly a hydraulic test they were doing," said Hughes.
Hughes added since 2016, the county has been continuously approached by businesses looking to deploy their cleanup
efforts.
“Everyone has a solution for the pollution in the estuary.”
Any plan that gets to a point where there is machinery in the water needs approval from state, and sometimes federal
agencies.
Another upcoming algae project is expected to take place out by Lake Okeechobee.
Martin County is working with another company that wants to deploy its technology in the middle of the Port Mayaca lock.
“Treat the water out near the lake, kill the blue green algae so it’s not delivered to us when we have those Lake O
discharges," said Hughes.
The county is not paying for this work, but may develop a budget if a certain type of technology proves to be the most
successful algae slayer.
New bubble technology taking on blue green algae
HOBE SOUND, Fla. —
Thursday a water retention pond in Hobe Sound is serving as the testing grounds for a new technology that could mitigate
blue green algae.
Barry Hinton is Vice President of Blue Nano Technologies, a water remediation company that's looking to put an end to
blue green algae blooms.
Hinton and his team rolled in a trailer that carried an oxygen and controlled ozone injection system that is used to
treat toxic bodies of water.
"The bubbles that go in the water they stay in the water so the effectiveness of this disinfection system is very
residual," Hinton said.
Stuart resident and owner of Environmental Compliance Equipment, Andrew Hyatt said these microscopic bubbles traveled
across the world.
"We imported a technology from Japan called the Nano bubbles. Developed by a gentlemen name Satoshi Anzai," Hyatt said.
If this technology is successful Dianne Huges, Environmental Coordinator for Martin County says this could be the start
to restoring our waterways.
" It’s something that can be used at Port Mayaca to treat the algae out at the lake before it’s even discharged to the
St. Lucie River and Estuary
There were before and after water samples taken to see if the technology was successful. it will take a week before
results come in.
