Development of Reactive Nanobubble Systems for Efficient and Scalable Harmful Algae and Cyanotoxin Removal

This project aims to develop and implement an innovative green process using reactive ozone nanobubbles (NBs) that promote rapid oxidation and decomposition of organic water pollutants and algal biomass. Researchers will improve and quantify ozone yield, quantum efficiency of photochemical conversion of oxygen under VUV irradiation and evaluate the radical formation in water containing oxygen/ozone NBs. Furthermore, researchers will further investigate the cyanotoxin degradation in the O3/O2 NB water and compare the results with those waters with only oxygen NBs or other inert NBs such as nitrogen or hydrogen. This new process holds potential to be implemented for water disinfection and pollutant removal, and water remediation. The proposed research supports EPA's current priorities in safe and sustainable water resources. Firstly, the project leads to integrated and scalable engineered processes of reactive NBs to tackle several pressing micropollution challenges caused by HABs and cyanotoxins in impaired water bodies. The results will not only provide fundamental guidelines as to the rational design of reactive NBs, but also leads to an avenue for the transformative and sustainable applications in many fields of water treatment and purification. Secondly, the project research will be translated into new teaching modules, laboratory manuals, innovative learning activities, and professional development activities targeted at a diverse student population. Interdisciplinary research training and educational activities are included in collaboration with industrial partners and USGS. These partnerships will lead to effective data dissemination to communities, municipalities, states, and drinking water managers to better control and mitigate HABs, make better decisions related to resource and funding management, and prevent human- and animal-health impacts.