Evaluating the effectiveness of sodium percarbonate to mitigate blue-green algae bloom in microcosm experiment

Abstract

This thesis evaluates the effectiveness of sodium percarbonate as a mitigation agent for cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) blooms in freshwater systems. A microcosm experiment demonstrated that sodium percarbonate rapidly reduced chlorophyll-a concentrations, indicating a significant decline in algal biomass within a short time. The treatment selectively suppressed cyanobacteria while allowing more tolerant eukaryotic algae to increase, leading to improved community balance and higher biodiversity. The results confirm that sodium percarbonate is an effective and environmentally friendly short-term solution for controlling harmful algal blooms. However, the study also shows that algal communities can recover after treatment, highlighting that this method does not address the root causes of eutrophication. Therefore, it should be combined with long-term nutrient management strategies for sustainable water quality improvement.