WaterIQ Technologies horizontal logo color
September 2024

Author

Picture1

Viviana Almanza

Scientific Advisor for WaterIQ Technologies, and a doctor in Environmental Sciences. Expert in limnology and phycology.

PulsarSplash

Cleaning the Pulsar

Keeping your Pulsar clean is a vital requirement for optimal performance. Clean each unit once a month for fresh water and a minimum of every two weeks in saline environments. Failure to clean is the most common reason residents might see an uptick in algae. You can find instructions here.

Ultrasound Innovation: Algae Control and Shrimp Health

Aquaculture is a vital to the global food supply chain, especially in the face of pollution and climate change. In Ecuador, the shrimp industry is critical to international trade and represents an important source of income; however, it faces considerable challenges. 

Harmful algae can block light needed by other beneficial microalgae, decrease dissolved oxygen, and produce toxins harmful to shrimp. Our Pulsar 4400 demonstrated an innovative way to solve these problems.

Pulsar 4400 with Solar Installation

Our research partner, BIOSEM, placed a dual system Pulsar 4400 in a research pond, and after six weeks immature shrimp were introduced. During this pilot study, shrimp weight and growth were evaluated weekly until harvest. No algae control chemicals were applied. In addition, samples were taken for histological analysis to observe the effects on shrimp tissues.

Key Results at 14 Weeks:

• Cyanobacteria were reduced by 91%

• Green algae were controlled by 61%

• Diatoms increased in abundance by 70%. A change in species dominance was observed during treatment.

• Improved water quality: Exposure to ultrasound significantly improved water quality by allowing the growth of microalgae.

• Shrimp survival and growth were optimal.

In conclusion:

A clear demonstration of how WaterIQ’s 4400™ Frequency Ultrasound Technology can transform aquaculture and ensure a more sustainable future for the industry!

Weight and abundance of shrimp in the pond with ultrasound

September 2024

By Viviana Almanza – WaterIQ Technologies Scientific Advisor

Ultrasound Innovation: Algae Control and Shrimp Health

Aquaculture is a vital to the global food supply chain, especially in the face of pollution and climate change. In Ecuador, the shrimp industry is critical to international trade and represents an important source of income; however, it faces considerable challenges. 

Harmful algae can block light needed by other beneficial microalgae, decrease dissolved oxygen, and produce toxins harmful to shrimp. Our Pulsar 4400 demonstrated an innovative way to solve these problems.

Pulsar 4400 with Solar Installation

Our research partner, BIOSEM, placed a dual system Pulsar 4400 in a research pond, and after six weeks immature shrimp were introduced. During this pilot study, shrimp weight and growth were evaluated weekly until harvest. No algae control chemicals were applied. In addition, samples were taken for histological analysis to observe the effects on shrimp tissues.

Key Results at 14 Weeks:

• Cyanobacteria were reduced by 91%

• Green algae were controlled by 61%

• Diatoms increased in abundance by 70%. A change in species dominance was observed during treatment.

• Improved water quality: Exposure to ultrasound significantly improved water quality by allowing the growth of microalgae.

• Shrimp survival and growth were optimal.

In conclusion:

A clear demonstration of how WaterIQ’s 4400™ Frequency Ultrasound Technology can transform aquaculture and ensure a more sustainable future for the industry!

Weight and abundance of shrimp in the pond with ultrasound

Algae of the Month

Ceratium

Species of the Ceratium genus are known to cause blooms in lakes and reservoirs in temperate and tropical regions. While their blooms are non-toxic, they can have harmful effects on aquatic communities by mechanically obstructing gills and depleting dissolved oxygen in the water. Additionally, they alter the color and taste of water, presenting significant challenges for water treatment.

Species like Ceratium hirundinella and Ceratium furcoides have been recognized as invasive in freshwater environments in South America, with documented cases of fish mortality in Argentina and Paraguay. Their success as invaders is attributed to their mobility (using flagella to migrate to nutrient-rich layers), large size (which protects them from zooplankton predation), and the formation of cysts that allow them to survive unfavorable conditions.

The proliferation of Ceratium is a challenge we’ve successfully addressed using our Pulsar 4400 equipment.  We achieved an 88% reduction in their abundance in just 19 weeks. This biomass reduction eliminated the characteristic brown water caused by their blooms, restoring the water’s natural clarity and quality.

Talk to your pond maintenance company about WaterIQ Technologies and the non-chemical benefits we can provide. You can also reach out to us directly here.

Cleaning the Pulsar

Keeping your Pulsar clean is a vital requirement for optimal performance. Clean each unit once a month for fresh water and a minimum of every two weeks in saline environments. Failure to clean is the most common reason residents might see an uptick in algae. You can find instructions here.
PulsarSplash