Biotech Solution

Removing
Algae From Clear
Lake
Algae Oil Extraction

Problem: Algae in Clear Lake and Pollution

in the air. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)
is contaminating Clear Lake, in Lake
County, California. This algae does well in
high nutrition and lots of sunlight.

Microcystis and Aphanizomenon were two

types of cyanobacteria discovered in
various locations around Clear Lake.This
algae can be harmful to humans, pets, and
wildlife.The algae covers the southern end
of the lake, near where the Konocti County
Water District pumps out water for more
than 17,000 homes and businesses. Toxins
build up in the lake from many sources,
both phosphorus and nitrogen.

Previous Attempted Solutions: Suck it out

with a hose, crops for biofuel. Toxicology
attempts so see how the algae reacted to
chemicals have been used to try and clear
it out (DRAFT REPORT Algal toxins
bioassessment Clear Lake, July&#.
Figure 1: Study Our Map.). Another

attempted solution was using an algae

herbicide

Current Limitations/Present: The creation

of biofuel requires a substantial amount of
algae which may be hard to collect. It also
requires a specific process which could be
fairly costly and may push up the price of
the oil. Biofuel is a somewhat new invention
and biofuel through algae even newer so
we have a lack of knowledge in the field

which makes it harder to make

advancement on. Cost is also currently a
big issue that is holding back Lake County
from taking aggressive step against algae
in Clear Lake. Fortunately our plan is very
cheap and cost efficient. Not to mention,
that our idea is resourceful.
Your Proposed Solution/Product: Use a
filter to remove algae from Clear Lake and
use the algae to make genetically
engineered biofuel. We would do that by
creating a filter that can suck up the algae.
We would have a boat and have a filter
attached and then have a vacuum attached
to that. It would all be resting along the
water and would collect the water from the
top. In order to make it so it would not
vacuum up the fish, we would have a fan or
something similar that scared the fish away

from the boat. We will also have a net or

wire such as chicken wire that would not
allow fish to get into the vacuum. We would
then use the algae to make fuel. We are not
sure how we would do that but we would
probably do something similar to how they
use grease or oil to make diesel fuel.
Citations:
http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Direct
ory/Water_Resources/Algae_in_Clear_Lake
.htm
DRAFT REPORT Algal toxins
bioassessment Clear Lake, July&#.
Figure 1: Study Our Map
energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/algal-biofuel
www.pressdemocrat.com/news/3059974181/clear-lake-algae-tax-lacks

Virtual Mentor and Credentials:

Carolyn E. Ruttan
Invasive Species Coordinator
Lake County Water Resources