Cement-based biocide coatings for controlling algal growth in water distribution canals

Abstract The germicidal effectiveness of various additives when blended within a microstructure of a cement based system was studied. The relationship between the chemical and physical characteristics of concrete surfaces and their ability to have an enhanced resistance to algal growth was documented through a novel set of laboratory and field testing. The main potential areas of application for these new cement composite systems involve the lining of canal surfaces where fixed-surface biocides are desirable to control biofouling. Different biocide formulations containing class F fly ash, silica fume, Zn oxide, copper slag, ammonium chloride, sodium bromide, and cetyl-methyl-ammonium bromide were evaluated for the mitigation of algal growth on concrete surfaces. Mortar coupons treated with these formulations were tested under laboratory and field conditions. These new cement composite systems were compared with proprietary products that are commercially available and applied using a latex paint. Laboratory scale screening experiments showed that various concentrations of zinc oxide significantly inhibited algal growth even after nine months. It was observed that 20% zinc oxide in concrete produced optimal algal inhibition compared to other additives. Copper slag, ammonium chloride, sodium bromide, and fly ash, when added singly, also showed algal inhibition capabilities. Addition of zinc oxide and ammonium chloride (10% each) in mortar mix was as effective as expensive proprietary chemicals in reducing algal growth on concrete surfaces under laboratory and field conditions.

[1]  F. Küpper,et al.  HEAVY METAL‐INDUCED INHIBITION OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS: TARGETS OF IN VIVO HEAVY METAL CHLOROPHYLL FORMATION1 , 2002 .

[2]  P. Seligman,et al.  Measurement of copper release rates from antifouling paint under laboratory and in situ conditions: implications for loading estimation to marine water bodies. , 2003, Marine pollution bulletin.

[3]  Nikolaos Voulvoulis,et al.  Comparative environmental assessment of biocides used in antifouling paints. , 2002, Chemosphere.

[4]  R. L. Ramos,et al.  Adsorption of zinc(II) from an aqueous solution onto activated carbon , 2002 .

[5]  John N. Lester,et al.  Alternative Antifouling Biocides , 1999 .

[6]  Dinesh Mohan,et al.  Single- and multi-component adsorption of cadmium and zinc using activated carbon derived from bagasse--an agricultural waste. , 2002, Water research.

[7]  Helmut Klapper,et al.  Control of eutrophication in inland waters , 1991 .

[8]  E. Costas,et al.  Occurrence of copper resistant mutants in the toxic cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa: characterisation and future implications in the use of copper sulphate as algaecide. , 2004, Water research.

[9]  J. Waterbury,et al.  Generic assignments, strain histories, and properties of pure cultures of cyanobacteria , 1979 .

[10]  M. Galceran,et al.  Time-of-flight high resolution versus triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of quaternary ammonium herbicides in drinking water , 2004 .

[11]  KV Thomas.  The environmental fate and behaviour of antifouling paint booster biocides: A review , 2001 .

[12]  R. Herbert,et al.  Microbes in extreme environments , 1986 .

[13]  B. Mobasher,et al.  The effect of copper slag on the hydration and mechanical properties of cementitious mixtures , 1997 .

[14]  B. Pawlik-Skowrońska.  Resistance, accumulation and allocation of zinc in two ecotypes of the green alga Stigeoclonium tenue Kütz. coming from habitats of different heavy metal concentrations , 2003 .

[15]  M A Champ,et al.  A review of organotin regulatory strategies, pending actions, related costs and benefits. , 2000, The Science of the total environment.

[16]  S. Hrudey,et al.  Physiological toxicity, cell membrane damage and the release of dissolved organic carbon and geosmin by Aphanizomenon flos-aquae after exposure to water treatment chemicals , 1995 .

[17]  H. Blanck,et al.  Long-term toxicity of zinc to bacteria and algae in periphyton communities from the river Göta Älv, based on a microcosm study , 2000 .

[18]  L. G. Ensminger.  Farm Chemicals Handbook , 1964 .

[19]  Jamie Bartram,et al.  Toxic Cyanobacteria in Water: a Guide to Their Public Health Consequences, Monitoring and Management Chapter 2. Cyanobacteria in the Environment 2.1 Nature and Diversity 2.1.1 Systematics , 2022 .

[20]  K. Schiff,et al.  Copper emissions from antifouling paint on recreational vessels. , 2004, Marine pollution bulletin.

[21]  B. Volesky,et al.  Description of two‐metal biosorption equilibria by Langmuir‐type models , 1995, Biotechnology and bioengineering.

[22]  Lora E. Fleming,et al.  Blue green algal (cyanobacterial) toxins, surface drinking water, and liver cancer in Florida , 2002 .

[23]  K. Baskaran,et al.  Biosorption of zinc from aqueous solutions using biosolids , 2004 .

[24]  P. N. Viswanathan,et al.  Cyanobacterial toxins: a growing environmental concern. , 2003, Chemosphere.

[25]  A. Isquith,et al.  Algicidal activity of a surface-bonded organosilicon quaternary ammonium chloride. , 1973, Applied microbiology.

[26]  P. Orr,et al.  Release and degradation of microcystin following algicide treatment of a Microcystis aeruginosa bloom in a recreational lake, as determined by HPLC and protein phosphatase inhibition assay , 1994 .

[27]  W. Carmichael,et al.  Cyanobacteria secondary metabolites--the cyanotoxins. , 1992, The Journal of applied bacteriology.

[28]  A. E. Greenberg,et al.  Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater : supplement to the sixteenth edition , 1988 .

[29]  H. Owen,et al.  Toxicity of copper to Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Chlorophyceae) and Ceriodaphnia dubia (Crustacea) in relation to changes in water chemistry of a freshwater pond , 1991 .