"Reducing Human Health Risks: Using Algae as a Sustainable

Fertilizer in Bioremediation Efforts"

Summary
Bio-remediation is a procedure that encourages natural degradation and

restoration by using living organisms to degrade or remove toxins from the environment. It uses

metabolic processes provided by bacteria, plants, or enzymes to convert contaminants into safe

compounds. Algae Is an example of a plant that may be a solution to reduce the toxic waste in

the water, however, an excessive number of algae may cause harm to humans and result in

diarrhea, vomiting, allergic reactions such as difficulty on breathing, and even skin, eye, and

throat irritation. To avoid the increase of algae in the bodies of water and potentially affecting

humans' health, turning algae into fertilizer will do. The number of algae in water will lessen as

well as having a cheaper fertilizer for plants.

Background and Problem

Earth is facing a lot of issues regarding pollutants and contaminants from developmental

activities. The rise in population can result in polluted water. Bioremediation uses naturally

installed micro bacteria and other microorganisms to tend wastewater. Bioremediation has

been happening since then and it is helpful not only to people but also to the environment. The

only problem is algae, one of the microorganisms that are used for bioremediation is flooding

the water bodies. Algae can overtake some of the coral reefs and likely kill the habitants by

smothering and shading and also reduce the biodiversity. Algae's effects on humans are also a
problem. Although it is relatively safe, it is still toxic to humans in terms of digestion. Algae can

contaminate water. Ingesting algae-contaminated water can lead to diarrhea. Skin diseases like

skin irritation and itching can also happen when the skin comes in contact with the skin.

Beneficiaries
An exceeding number of algae has a negative effect on humans, as it releases toxins and

causes: Diarrhea, Nausea, allergic reaction (difficulty on breathing), and Irritation of the eyes,

skin, and throat. In order to lessen the growth of algae, we proposed to utilize it as fertilizer

since it contains nutrients and exploits its advantages and benefits the following:

 It enhances the root growth of a plant and restores soil nutrients.

 It benefits the farmers
 since algae fertilizer enhances the root, and it improves the plant’s drought
resistance.
 Aid to produce more crops

 It benefits our economy, since our country is located on the pacific ring of Fire, more
typhoons will soon come, but since the root enhances and improve drought resistance,
Crops wouldn’t be immensely affected.
 It benefits our environment
 Algae is a sustainable, renewable, and economical source of fertilizer
 algae are safer and environmentally friendly
 It benefits humans, Since the growth of algae in waterways reduces, the discharge of
toxins also lessen, therefore wouldn’t cause any harm to humans.

The proposed solution to the problem presented

The option of using natural biological activity to degrade or neutralize certain

contaminants is known as bio remediation (VIdali, 2001). A toxic algal bloom can result from

excessive growth of algae during bio remediation, endangering human health by producing

toxins and decreasing water quality.

 Due to the creation of hazardous algal blooms (HABs) and the release of toxins into the

environment, the excessive growth of algae during bio remediation can have a negative impact

on human health. However, turning the surplus algae into a useful resource and using it as

fertilizer could be a way to offset this problem. The most unique organisms on the earth, algae

are found in practically all terrestrial habitats. They have potential uses in agriculture as bio-

fertilizers and soil conditioners to increase soil fertility and plant productivity (Chapman,

2013, Duarteet al., 2018). The algae can be safely transformed into a fertilizer that can be used

in horticultural or agricultural systems to promote plant development while lowering the

requirement for synthetic fertilizers. This method reduces waste and gives an eco-friendly

substitute for boosting soil fertility while decreasing the risk to human health connected with

HABs. It also tackles the issue of excessive algae growth.

The soil is a significant environment for algal evolution because soil-born soil algae are

small photosynthetic bacteria that also survive inches below the soil surface (Duarte et al.

2018). The surplus algae can be used as fertilizer in a safe and advantageous way, providing a

nutrient-rich source for plant growth in agricultural or horticultural settings. By preventing

harmful algal blooms (HABs) and the associated release of toxins, this strategy serves to protect

human health by reducing the likelihood of water sources becoming contaminated. Additionally,

using algae as a fertilizer lessens the need for synthetic fertilizers, reducing the possible risks to

human health and the environment from their use.

Overall, using algae as a fertilizer in bioremediation provides a sustainable and

advantageous approach that supports healthy ecosystems and human well-being in addition to

addressing the problem of algae overpopulation. Algae could be a sign of a healthy range of the
soil environment if they are present alongside other living things that can be found in a variety

of soil types in different states (Ammar et al., 2022).

Statistical Treatment:

Effectiveness of algae fertilizer vs other fertilizer

Materials Procedure
 Net (for collecting algae)-40 pesos Step 1. Harvest the excess algae used in

bioremediation from the contaminated site using a

net.

Step 2. Dry the harvested algae to remove excess

moisture by sun drying. Prepare the dried algae for

fertilization. Apply the algae-based fertilizer on

horticultural or agricultural systems in accordance

with the suggested procedures.

Step 3. Buy fertilizer for plants, and apply it on

the soil of the plant.

Step 4. Compare the other fertilizer to algae

fertilizer.

Conclusion: We decided to use algae as a fertilizer because it has protein, carbohydrates, lipids, and
nucleic acid. These components are the nutrients that plants need. Plus, you can get algae on waterways
for free and be more convenient.
Methods/ details of the proposed solution

Objective:

 Lessen the negative effect of algae on humans

 Improve the root of plants by using algae as fertilizer

 Helps farmer to use renewable and sustainable fertilizer

 To reduce the growth of algae on waterways

Materials:

 Net (for collecting algae)-40 pesos

Procedure:

Step 1. Harvest the excess algae used in bioremediation from the contaminated site using a net.

Step 2. Dry the harvested algae to remove excess moisture by sun drying.

Step 3. Prepare the dried algae for fertilization.

Step 4. Apply the algae-based fertilizer on horticultural or agricultural systems in accordance

with the suggested procedures.

Step 5. Monitor the impact of the algae fertilizer on soil fertility and plant growth.
Step 6. Adjust the fertilizer application if necessary.

Illustration:
REFERENCES:
Summary:
https://bioaugmentation.weebly.com/advantages-and-limitations.html

https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae/faq.htm#:~:text=Exposure
%20to%20high%20levels%20of,allergic%20reactions%20or%20breathing%20difficulties.

https://algenair.com/blogs/news/the-benefits-of-algae-as-a-fertilizer#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20marine
%20algae%20has,improve%20the%20plants'%20drought%20resistance.

Background and problem

file:///C:/Users/Aira%20Melissa/Downloads/document.pdf

https://bioaugmentation.weebly.com/advantages-and-limitations.html

Beneficiaries
https://algenair.com/blogs/news/the-benefits-of-algae-as-a-fertilizer#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20marine
%20algae%20has,improve%20the%20plants'%20drought%20resistance.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2021.631314/full#:~:text=Algae%20can%20efficiently
%20take%20up,nutrients%20become%20available%20to%20plants.

Proposed solution:
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1351/pac200173071163/html

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319562X22001759#b0250