Is Pond Algae Control Possible With Ultrasound?
Monday, February 28th, 2011Technology has made it’s impact on virtually every part of modern life. Cell phones that now look like space age communicators (you might remember seeing them first in Star Trek in the 1960’s) and the internet is connecting people and information like never before. Believe it or not, pond algae control has been effected too, and the latest addition to the treatment arsenal uses ultrasound.
Now this doesn’t mean you have to necessarily own a pond to be excited about this. In fact technology is affecting how algae is controlled in many places such as on boats and ships, waste water plants, and energy facilities.
One of the greatest benefits of the technology of course is that it can greatly reduce or even eliminate the need to use chemical algaecides and it’s proven to be safe for fish and wildlife as well.
In recent years, ultrasonic systems have been used to treat all sizes of ponds including smaller fish and koi ponds and they are doing so with a very good safety record for fish and wildlife. With that said, many experts think some of the greatest benefits are best suited to large pond owners. “Although we’ve used ultrasound systems in a variety of places, there’s no question in my mind that the great benefit and cost savings have come from treating larger water with it, and by that I mean ponds that are bigger than your backyard variety,” said Mark Washburn of Pond Algae Solutions. Washburn continues, “in using all kinds of treatments over the years, it’s a fact that treating large ponds can get cost restrictive for a lot of folks and ultrasound will lessen the need for additives and end up paying for itself in a year or two just from the savings.”
How Ultrasound Can Control Algae
One might think that an ultrasound system is made up of a complex and lengthy list of parts but most are very simple in design. A transducer which is the only part that sits in the water is connected to a control box by a transducer cable. Power consumption is very low as even the most powerful units only draw about 0.7 amps. Installation is quite simple. The transducer is placed in the water or suspended under a floatation device, and the unit is plugged in and turned on. A flashing green light on the power console will indicate that the unit is sending out the sonic signal.
Field studies indicate that ultrasonic devices may control algae from 70% to 100% of the time. This is due more to the type of algae than anything else.
“There are algae strains that have a cell structure that’s just more sturdy than others, or they have characteristics that ultrasound can’t damage as easily,” said Washburn. “In cases like this we knock out what we can with ultrasound and then add a complimentary treatment with it for any remaining problems.”
Ultrasound controls algae by sending out a sound wave which is very precisely tuned to match the vibrational frequency of an algae cell. As it contacts algae, it will create a vibration within the cell which, over time, will begin to damage the structure. It may create a weakness in the cell wall of the plant, or in some cases it may rupture a vacuole which is like an air bag that allows single cell algae to float to the surface during the day. This is one of the main ways it creates life sustaining energy from the sun. Once disabled the algae will slowly die off.
Ultrasonic Algae Control Isn’t Just For Ponds
With all the talk of pond algae control it’s important to note that ultrasound has other applications as well. Boat and yacht owners are using ultrasound systems as anti fouling devices which help to keep biofilm and algae from forming on the boat hulls. Waste water facilities and power plants are using ultrasound in their treatment and cooling ponds. And the list of possible applications continues to grow.
“In the last several years we’ve seen a real boom in using ultrasonic algae control in industrial facilities,” Washburn noted. “In some ways I think we’re just scratching the surface in what it can do and as the technology continues to improve, so will it’s effectiveness and viability at keeping things free of algae and lowering the use of other pond chemicals.
Algae control is possible. To learn more about the benefits of ultrasound technology in the use of pond algae control please visit our website today!