Sean, I have used chitosan in rotifer cultures contaminated with algae. It worked to a degree, but it took a long time since the algae were colonial greens in a gelatinous matrix. I didn't use electrolysis however. Just the chitosan. There is a paper by an Indian group that describes using chitosan to remove algae from water that would be distributed for household use. If I can find it, I'll send it to you. Can you provide your email address? (off line if you prefer) **************************************** D. Liane Cochran-Stafira, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Biological Sciences Saint Xavier University 3700 West 103rd Street Chicago, Illinois 60655
phone: 773-298-3514 fax: 773-298-3536 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://faculty.sxu.edu/~cochran/ <http://faculty.sxu.edu/~cochran/> ________________________________ From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news on behalf of =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Sean_McKenzie?= Sent: Mon 11/3/2008 1:29 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Suggestions for algae flocculation Hello, I am working on a project to use algae cultured in wastewater treatment facilities to produce methane in an anaerobic digester. The aim of the project is to run our counties bus system on the methane to decrease the CO2 footprint of public transportation and use a local, nearly carbon-neutral (since the algae will sink the CO2 released upon combustion) source of energy. In order to produce a viable amount of methane, we need to have our digester filled with large amounts of algal sludge. Thus, we are trying to find a good method of flocculating the algae (ideally one that is both carbon neutral and would be chemical free). I have heard that chitosan and an electrolysis would achieve this. I have also hear that certain fish will eat the algae even though it is indigestible and the algae will be flocculated in the feces. If anyone knows any better methods of algae flocculation, I would greatly appreciate your help. If you are interested in our project, please visit our website lanealgae.org. Thanks, -Sean
