ALGAE CONTROL USING RICE STRAW

N recent years, algae is often problem in water supplies as they produce undesirable taste and odor. Control of its growth is major issue wherever there is sufficient light, moisture and simple nutrients to sustain them. The present research focus on control of micro-algae by biological means using rice straw as growth inhibitor. The study was carried out at pilot scale with straw dosage of 25g/m 2 and the results obtained were encouraging. Microscopic cell count taken for every five days after the straw activation, clearly indicated the drop in microalgae and control is attributed to the synergistic effects of various humic substances and H 2 O 2 released as result of straw decomposition.