1. Algae Farms and Lake Erie Algal Blooms
Causes and Solutions

2. Requirements for Algal Growth
Sunlight
Water
Carbon dioxide
Nutrients
Nitrogen
Phosphorous
Potassium

3. Methods for algae farming
Ponds – (raceways)
Artificial surface areas
Arranged in rows similar to corn crop
Shipping containers

4. Closed Loop Systems (all products utilized)
Heat supplied by fossil fuel…
…Carbon dioxide from heating system pumped into water for use by algae
Oil and biomass extracted from algae
Biomass used for production of biogas and food products
Materials left (effluent) are rich in nitrogen & phosphorous and used to fertilize new algae
Waste water can be used/reused in this process

5. Toxic Blooms Causes Lake Erie is shallow, water warms quicker
Lake Erie is most southern of Great Lakes, warmer environment
Agricultural run off-phosphorous & nitrogen
Failing sewage treatment incidents during storms
Failing septic systems
Industrial waste

6. Solutions Most immediate Reduce agricultural run off
Improve technology in water treatment plants
remove toxins from drinking water
Reduce agricultural run off
Improve sewage treatment capacities to…
Handle storm volumes
Improve/replace septic systems
Improve industrial waste treatments