CA2818460A1 - Composition for use in water treatment - Google Patents
Composition for use in water treatment Download PDFInfo
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- CA2818460A1 CA2818460A1 CA 2818460 CA2818460A CA2818460A1 CA 2818460 A1 CA2818460 A1 CA 2818460A1 CA 2818460 CA2818460 CA 2818460 CA 2818460 A CA2818460 A CA 2818460A CA 2818460 A1 CA2818460 A1 CA 2818460A1
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- water
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/68—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by addition of specified substances, e.g. trace elements, for ameliorating potable water
- C02F1/685—Devices for dosing the additives
- C02F1/687—Devices for dosing solid compounds
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Y02W10/00—Technologies for wastewater treatment
- Y02W10/30—Wastewater or sewage treatment systems using renewable energies
- Y02W10/37—Wastewater or sewage treatment systems using renewable energies using solar energy
Abstract
The invention provides a composition suitable for the in situ treatment and prevention of eutrophication of water bodies. The composition includes extracts from a variety of naturally occurring plants including plants from the genera Eucaluptus, Poaceae, Carpobrotus, Aloe and Sutherlandia.
Description
COMPOSITION FOR USE IN WATER TREATMENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a water treatment composition, a method of preparing it, as well as to methods of treating a body of water and inhibiting the growth of a microbe in a body of water.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Clean water is, and will continue to be, in great demand. The supply and/or quality of the water in many storage dams and lakes is, however, currently under threat due to increasing human population, urbanization, as well as chemical and microbiological pollution. Furthermore, most rural communities in developing countries do not have access to potable running water and adequate sanitation facilities and so make use of watercourses for defecation and urination.
The pollution of water bodies has become a serious environmental problem.
Contamination of fresh water bodies with untreated human sewage or livestock excrement leads to an increase in the levels of microbial pathogens such as E. coil, hepatitis and cholera. Moreover, urban storm water and water carrying excess agricultural fertilizers into our water systems leads to increased levels of nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates. Such increases in biomass and nutrients result in what is known as eutrophication.
Depending on the degree of eutrophication, subsequent negative environmental effects such as anoxia and severe reductions in water quality, fish, and other animal populations may occur.
The process of eutrophication in fresh water bodies generally promotes excessive plant growth and decay, favours the growth of certain weedy plant species over others, and may cause a severe reduction in water quality. In CONFIRMATION COPY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a water treatment composition, a method of preparing it, as well as to methods of treating a body of water and inhibiting the growth of a microbe in a body of water.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Clean water is, and will continue to be, in great demand. The supply and/or quality of the water in many storage dams and lakes is, however, currently under threat due to increasing human population, urbanization, as well as chemical and microbiological pollution. Furthermore, most rural communities in developing countries do not have access to potable running water and adequate sanitation facilities and so make use of watercourses for defecation and urination.
The pollution of water bodies has become a serious environmental problem.
Contamination of fresh water bodies with untreated human sewage or livestock excrement leads to an increase in the levels of microbial pathogens such as E. coil, hepatitis and cholera. Moreover, urban storm water and water carrying excess agricultural fertilizers into our water systems leads to increased levels of nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates. Such increases in biomass and nutrients result in what is known as eutrophication.
Depending on the degree of eutrophication, subsequent negative environmental effects such as anoxia and severe reductions in water quality, fish, and other animal populations may occur.
The process of eutrophication in fresh water bodies generally promotes excessive plant growth and decay, favours the growth of certain weedy plant species over others, and may cause a severe reduction in water quality. In CONFIRMATION COPY
aquatic environments, enhanced growth of choking aquatic vegetation (e.g.
water hyacinth) or phytoplankton and/or cyano bacteria (e.g. algal blooms) disrupts normal functioning of the ecosystem, causing a variety of problems such as a lack of oxygen in the water needed for original habitat plants, fish and shellfish to survive, with a concomitant increase in invasive, often toxic species. Algal blooms in turn limit the sunlight available to bottom-dwelling organisms, limiting photosynthesis at lower water levels and further decreasing the amount of available oxygen. The death of the naturally-occurring fish and plant species further increases biomass and nutrients upon which decomposing bacteria feed, resulting in a further decrease in oxygen levels. Ultimately, the water becomes cloudy, changes colour to a shade of green, yellow, brown, or red; and develops an unpleasant odour.
Eutrophication is also a common phenomenon in marine, coastal waters. In contrast to freshwater systems, nitrogen is more commonly the key limiting nutrient of unpolluted marine waters. Estuaries tend to be naturally eutrophic as a result of the concentration of land-derived nutrients where run-off enters the marine environment in a confined channel. This process is, however, exacerbated in the presence of pollution and contamination.
Eutrophication negatively effects farming and constitutes a health hazard.
Eutrophication of fresh water bodies complicates, and in some cases even prevents the agricultural use of water for irrigation purposes, clogs up water systems and may even limit the farmer's export ability as it may cause contamination of ground water that may be transferred into crops.
Euthrophication of marine, coastal waters negatively affects fish and other marine animal farming industries directly. Furthermore, human contact with these algal blooms may cause illness, such as hay fever, skin rashes, eye irritations, vomiting, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, fever and pains in muscles and joints.
water hyacinth) or phytoplankton and/or cyano bacteria (e.g. algal blooms) disrupts normal functioning of the ecosystem, causing a variety of problems such as a lack of oxygen in the water needed for original habitat plants, fish and shellfish to survive, with a concomitant increase in invasive, often toxic species. Algal blooms in turn limit the sunlight available to bottom-dwelling organisms, limiting photosynthesis at lower water levels and further decreasing the amount of available oxygen. The death of the naturally-occurring fish and plant species further increases biomass and nutrients upon which decomposing bacteria feed, resulting in a further decrease in oxygen levels. Ultimately, the water becomes cloudy, changes colour to a shade of green, yellow, brown, or red; and develops an unpleasant odour.
Eutrophication is also a common phenomenon in marine, coastal waters. In contrast to freshwater systems, nitrogen is more commonly the key limiting nutrient of unpolluted marine waters. Estuaries tend to be naturally eutrophic as a result of the concentration of land-derived nutrients where run-off enters the marine environment in a confined channel. This process is, however, exacerbated in the presence of pollution and contamination.
Eutrophication negatively effects farming and constitutes a health hazard.
Eutrophication of fresh water bodies complicates, and in some cases even prevents the agricultural use of water for irrigation purposes, clogs up water systems and may even limit the farmer's export ability as it may cause contamination of ground water that may be transferred into crops.
Euthrophication of marine, coastal waters negatively affects fish and other marine animal farming industries directly. Furthermore, human contact with these algal blooms may cause illness, such as hay fever, skin rashes, eye irritations, vomiting, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, fever and pains in muscles and joints.
Current clean-up measures include removal of polluted sediment and water, in vitro treatment of the sediment and/or water for the removal of the pollutants contained therein, and then optionally returning the clean sediment and/or water to the environment. This method is, however, disruptive, expensive, and is not well suited to addressing remediation of the ecology of the water environment. Other treatments include stepwise release of desired bacteria into the environment capable of digesting the pollutants. The long term environmental effects resulting from the release of such foreign live organisms into the environment are, however, unpredictable and in many cases undesirable.
There is therefore a need for an environmentally-friendly composition and method of treating and rehabilitating eutrophic water in situ.
In the remainder of this specification the term "extract" shall have its widest meaning and shall include any substance made from a raw material or part thereof, in this case plants or plant material, and may include essential oils, infusions, emulsions, suspensions, distillates and the like in liquid, solid, powder or other suitable forms.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a composition and method of treating and rehabilitating eutrophic water in situ which will at least partially alleviate some of the abovementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention there is provided a water treatment composition comprising (a) an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Eucaluptus;
There is therefore a need for an environmentally-friendly composition and method of treating and rehabilitating eutrophic water in situ.
In the remainder of this specification the term "extract" shall have its widest meaning and shall include any substance made from a raw material or part thereof, in this case plants or plant material, and may include essential oils, infusions, emulsions, suspensions, distillates and the like in liquid, solid, powder or other suitable forms.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a composition and method of treating and rehabilitating eutrophic water in situ which will at least partially alleviate some of the abovementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention there is provided a water treatment composition comprising (a) an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Eucaluptus;
(b) an extract from at least one plant belonging to the family Poaceae; and (c) an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Carpobrotus;
the composition being in a form suitable for addition to water bodies for the treatment and prevention of eutrophication.
Further features of the invention provide for the plant of the genus Eucaluptus to be Eucaluptus globules and for the plant of the genus Carpobrotus to be one or more of Carpobrotus edulis (P); Carpobrotus edulis Carpobrotus edulis (1/40, wherein P indicates pink flowers, Y indicates yellow flowers, and W indicates white flowers; for the composition to include an extract from at least one of a plant from the genus Aloe and a plant from the genus Sutherland/a, and for the plant of the genus Aloe to be Aloe ferox and for the plant of the genus Sutherlandia to be Sutherlandia Fructecens.
Still further features of the invention provide for the water treatment composition to be prepared from the leaves and/or stems of the plants; and for the extracts to be prepared using a solvent, preferably water.
The invention also provides a method of preparing a water treatment composition suitable for addition to water bodies for the in situ treatment and prevention of eutrophication thereof, the method including the steps of (d) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Eucaluptus;
(e) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the family Poaceae;
(f) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Carpobrotus; and (g) combining the extracts.
Further features of the invention provide for the plant of the genus Eucaluptus to be Eucaluptus globulus and for the plant of the genus Carpobrotus to be one or more of Carpobrotus edulis (P); Carpobrotus edulis (Y); and Carpobrotus edulis (1/40, wherein P indicates pink flowers, Y
the composition being in a form suitable for addition to water bodies for the treatment and prevention of eutrophication.
Further features of the invention provide for the plant of the genus Eucaluptus to be Eucaluptus globules and for the plant of the genus Carpobrotus to be one or more of Carpobrotus edulis (P); Carpobrotus edulis Carpobrotus edulis (1/40, wherein P indicates pink flowers, Y indicates yellow flowers, and W indicates white flowers; for the composition to include an extract from at least one of a plant from the genus Aloe and a plant from the genus Sutherland/a, and for the plant of the genus Aloe to be Aloe ferox and for the plant of the genus Sutherlandia to be Sutherlandia Fructecens.
Still further features of the invention provide for the water treatment composition to be prepared from the leaves and/or stems of the plants; and for the extracts to be prepared using a solvent, preferably water.
The invention also provides a method of preparing a water treatment composition suitable for addition to water bodies for the in situ treatment and prevention of eutrophication thereof, the method including the steps of (d) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Eucaluptus;
(e) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the family Poaceae;
(f) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Carpobrotus; and (g) combining the extracts.
Further features of the invention provide for the plant of the genus Eucaluptus to be Eucaluptus globulus and for the plant of the genus Carpobrotus to be one or more of Carpobrotus edulis (P); Carpobrotus edulis (Y); and Carpobrotus edulis (1/40, wherein P indicates pink flowers, Y
5 indicates yellow flowers, and W indicates white flowers.
Still further features of the invention provide for the method to include the step of preparing the extracts from one or both of the leaves and stems of the plants using a suitable solvent, preferably water; for step (a) to include processing plant material of the plant into particulate form and suspending it in water in a ratio of about 1 part plant material to 25 parts water; for step (b) to include processing plant material of the plant into particulate form and suspending it in water in a ratio of about 3 parts plant material to 100 parts water; for step (c) to include processing plant material of the plant into particulate form and suspending it in water in a ratio of about 1 part plant material to 3 parts water; for step (a) and/or step (b) to include heating the water and plant material suspension to about 55 C, cooling the suspension and straining the suspension; and for step (d) to include combining about 1 part of the extract obtained in step (a), about 1 part of the extract obtained in step (b) and 1 to 1.5 parts of the extract obtained at step (c) with about 5 parts water.
Yet further features of the invention provide for the method to include the steps of (e) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Aloe;
(f) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Sutherland/a; and (g) combining the extracts so obtained with the composition.
Further features of the invention provide for the plant in step (e) to be Aloe ferox; for the plant used in step (f) to be Sutherlandia Fructecens; for step (e) to include producing dried crystals from juice drained from the leaves of the plant; for step (e) to further include burning the juice to form crystals; for step (f) to include processing plant material of the plant into particulate form and suspending it in water or water treatment composition in a ratio of about 1 part plant material to 200 parts water or water treatment composition.
The invention still further provides a method of treating a body of water in order to reduce or prevent eutrophication comprising administering to the body of water a water treatment composition as described above by spraying the composition on the surface of the body of water or adding the composition to the body of water. The method may include administering about 1 part of the water treatment composition for about every 2,000,000 parts of the body of water to the body of water.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment of the invention, 25 litres of a water treatment composition in accordance with the invention is prepared for a body of water of approximately 50 mega litres. This implies a ratio of about 1 part water treatment composition to 2,000,000 parts of water to be treated. The body of water typically requires treatment as result of, for example, algal bloom conditions such as the growth of blue-green algae. In such a situation, an extract of Eucalyptus globulus is first prepared by suspending 20 litres of the leaves of the plant in 500 litres of water. It is preferred to measure the plant material by volume rather than weight, as a difference in water content in the plant material may lead to incorrect weight measurements.
15 litres of leaves and/or stems from a plant belonging to the family Poaceae is then separately processed into particulate form and suspended in 500 litres of water. It should immediately be appreciated that the processing step may involve any suitable means including cutting, shredding, pulverising, macerating, grating, grinding, chipping, or any other suitable means.
Still further features of the invention provide for the method to include the step of preparing the extracts from one or both of the leaves and stems of the plants using a suitable solvent, preferably water; for step (a) to include processing plant material of the plant into particulate form and suspending it in water in a ratio of about 1 part plant material to 25 parts water; for step (b) to include processing plant material of the plant into particulate form and suspending it in water in a ratio of about 3 parts plant material to 100 parts water; for step (c) to include processing plant material of the plant into particulate form and suspending it in water in a ratio of about 1 part plant material to 3 parts water; for step (a) and/or step (b) to include heating the water and plant material suspension to about 55 C, cooling the suspension and straining the suspension; and for step (d) to include combining about 1 part of the extract obtained in step (a), about 1 part of the extract obtained in step (b) and 1 to 1.5 parts of the extract obtained at step (c) with about 5 parts water.
Yet further features of the invention provide for the method to include the steps of (e) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Aloe;
(f) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Sutherland/a; and (g) combining the extracts so obtained with the composition.
Further features of the invention provide for the plant in step (e) to be Aloe ferox; for the plant used in step (f) to be Sutherlandia Fructecens; for step (e) to include producing dried crystals from juice drained from the leaves of the plant; for step (e) to further include burning the juice to form crystals; for step (f) to include processing plant material of the plant into particulate form and suspending it in water or water treatment composition in a ratio of about 1 part plant material to 200 parts water or water treatment composition.
The invention still further provides a method of treating a body of water in order to reduce or prevent eutrophication comprising administering to the body of water a water treatment composition as described above by spraying the composition on the surface of the body of water or adding the composition to the body of water. The method may include administering about 1 part of the water treatment composition for about every 2,000,000 parts of the body of water to the body of water.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment of the invention, 25 litres of a water treatment composition in accordance with the invention is prepared for a body of water of approximately 50 mega litres. This implies a ratio of about 1 part water treatment composition to 2,000,000 parts of water to be treated. The body of water typically requires treatment as result of, for example, algal bloom conditions such as the growth of blue-green algae. In such a situation, an extract of Eucalyptus globulus is first prepared by suspending 20 litres of the leaves of the plant in 500 litres of water. It is preferred to measure the plant material by volume rather than weight, as a difference in water content in the plant material may lead to incorrect weight measurements.
15 litres of leaves and/or stems from a plant belonging to the family Poaceae is then separately processed into particulate form and suspended in 500 litres of water. It should immediately be appreciated that the processing step may involve any suitable means including cutting, shredding, pulverising, macerating, grating, grinding, chipping, or any other suitable means.
An extract of either Carpobrotus edulis (P); Carpobrotus edulis (Y); or Carpobrotus edulis (W) is then prepared by processing 500 millilitres of leaves and/or stems into particulate form and suspending it in 1.5 litres of water. The abbreviation P indicates that the plant has pink flowers, Y
indicates that the plant has yellow flowers, and W indicates that the plant has white flowers.
The Eucaluptus globulus and Poaceae suspensions are then separately heated to 55 C, cooled, and strained. The Carpobrotus edulis suspension is not heated but is simply left in suspension for approximately 8 hours and then strained. The water treatment composition is then prepared by mixing together 5 litres of the Eucaluptus globulus extract, 5 litres of the Poaceae extract, and between about 5 and 7 litres of the Carpobrotus edulis extract.
Finally the mixture is topped up to 25 litres with water. The 25 litre water treatment composition is then added directly to the water body and allowed to mix into the standing water under environmental conditions. The water treatment composition of the invention is intended to be added to a water body requiring treatment in situ. It is, however, anticipated that compositions in accordance with the invention may also be used extraneously.
A second embodiment of the invention is provided for use if the body of water to be treated contains unacceptable levels of pathogens such as E. co/i. In such a case, two further extracts are added to the water treatment composition before it is topped up to 25 litres with water. Firstly, an extract from the leaves of Aloe ferox (Group Monocot) is prepared by producing crystals from an extract of the juice which is leached or drained from the cut off leaves of the plant. The juices are first burned according to standard techniques and the resulting lumps are broken up to produce the crystals.
The dry crystals are used in the ratio of 1 tablespoon of crystals to 25 litres of water or 25 litres water treatment composition, depending on whether it is first mixed with water or added directly to the composition.
indicates that the plant has yellow flowers, and W indicates that the plant has white flowers.
The Eucaluptus globulus and Poaceae suspensions are then separately heated to 55 C, cooled, and strained. The Carpobrotus edulis suspension is not heated but is simply left in suspension for approximately 8 hours and then strained. The water treatment composition is then prepared by mixing together 5 litres of the Eucaluptus globulus extract, 5 litres of the Poaceae extract, and between about 5 and 7 litres of the Carpobrotus edulis extract.
Finally the mixture is topped up to 25 litres with water. The 25 litre water treatment composition is then added directly to the water body and allowed to mix into the standing water under environmental conditions. The water treatment composition of the invention is intended to be added to a water body requiring treatment in situ. It is, however, anticipated that compositions in accordance with the invention may also be used extraneously.
A second embodiment of the invention is provided for use if the body of water to be treated contains unacceptable levels of pathogens such as E. co/i. In such a case, two further extracts are added to the water treatment composition before it is topped up to 25 litres with water. Firstly, an extract from the leaves of Aloe ferox (Group Monocot) is prepared by producing crystals from an extract of the juice which is leached or drained from the cut off leaves of the plant. The juices are first burned according to standard techniques and the resulting lumps are broken up to produce the crystals.
The dry crystals are used in the ratio of 1 tablespoon of crystals to 25 litres of water or 25 litres water treatment composition, depending on whether it is first mixed with water or added directly to the composition.
A second extract is prepared from the leaves and/or stems of Sutherlandia Fructecens (Group Monocot) by processing 125 millilitres of plant material of the plant into particulate form and suspending it in 25 litres of water, and similarly heating, cooling and straining the suspension. One tablespoon of the Aloe ferox extract and 125 millilitres of the Sutherlandia Fructecens extract is then added to the water treatment composition of the invention.
Before treatment, the body of water is typically eutrophic. Upon addition of the water treatment composition to the water body, ongoing flocculation is almost immediate induced which reduces the total amount of suspended solids in the water. Levels of dissolved oxygen are observed to increase, sometimes up to 80%, and levels of ammonia are observed to decrease, facilitating the growth and metabolism of desirable microorganisms. The anaerobic state of the water is therefore addressed by use of the water treatment composition, as the dissolved oxygen and nitrogen levels of the water are substantially restored. A decrease in the mosquito population resident in and around the water body under treatment is also often observed.
The level of restoration is typically estimated by determining the degree of survival of environmentally-sensitive larvae eggs such as Daphnia eggs.
Daphnia are small, planktonic crustaceans, between 0.2 and 5 mm in length and are used in certain environments to test the effects of toxins on an ecosystem. This makes Daphnia an indicator species, particularly useful in that area because of its short lifespan and reproductive capabilities. In the experiments, samples of water under treatment are placed in tanks to which Daphnia eggs are added. The growth and reproduction of the Daphnia are observed and noted as indicative of the restoration of the water body. A
decrease in mosquito larvae growth and reproduction was noted when the samples of water under treatment were placed in tanks.
Before treatment, the body of water is typically eutrophic. Upon addition of the water treatment composition to the water body, ongoing flocculation is almost immediate induced which reduces the total amount of suspended solids in the water. Levels of dissolved oxygen are observed to increase, sometimes up to 80%, and levels of ammonia are observed to decrease, facilitating the growth and metabolism of desirable microorganisms. The anaerobic state of the water is therefore addressed by use of the water treatment composition, as the dissolved oxygen and nitrogen levels of the water are substantially restored. A decrease in the mosquito population resident in and around the water body under treatment is also often observed.
The level of restoration is typically estimated by determining the degree of survival of environmentally-sensitive larvae eggs such as Daphnia eggs.
Daphnia are small, planktonic crustaceans, between 0.2 and 5 mm in length and are used in certain environments to test the effects of toxins on an ecosystem. This makes Daphnia an indicator species, particularly useful in that area because of its short lifespan and reproductive capabilities. In the experiments, samples of water under treatment are placed in tanks to which Daphnia eggs are added. The growth and reproduction of the Daphnia are observed and noted as indicative of the restoration of the water body. A
decrease in mosquito larvae growth and reproduction was noted when the samples of water under treatment were placed in tanks.
The following examples illustrate the use of the composition in accordance with the invention.
EXAMPLE 1: UILENKRAAL
In this experiment, two ponds at a feedlot located at Uilenkraal, in Darling, Western Cape, South Africa were treated. The two ponds having a combined volume of approximately 57.3 million litres were in a highly polluted state, having contained therein run-off effluent from a dairy farming facility. The ponds therefore contained raw cow-dung and over time had become rotten and eutrophic, with bad odour, floating debris, and obvious fermentation (bubbling).
Upon addition of 50 litres of the first water treatment composition described above, oxidation was immediately observed. Within a week of adding the composition, the boiling effect stabilized and the pungent smell was no longer detectable. The contents of the pond were suitable for use as a fertilizer for irrigation. An automatic dosing system is now being installed on the farm.
Birdlife was also seen to increase around the ponds.
EXAMPLE 2: KOI FISH
Approximately 300 Koi fish, each having a length of about 150 to 200 mm, were kept in a 5000 litre body of water of about 800 mm deep for 6 months.
The fish were fed three times a day. The water was not changed during the duration of the experiment, and the addition of water was limited to topping up of the water to compensate for evaporation. The filter system used comprised a 200 litre plastic container having filter sand at the bottom which was covered by a layer of gravel. The water was circulated by pumping from the bottom of the body of water to the top at about 800 litres per hour. 500 millilitres of the water composition of the invention was added to the body of water every week.
After 6 months, the ammonia levels were measured using standard techniques, and were found to be 0.01 millilitres / litre, while the nitrites were 0.02 millilitres / litre. Under normal circumstances the ammonia and nitrites 5 would have been very high, in the region of 6+ and fish would have died as a result. Fish are typically already endangered at levels of 0.05.
EXAMPLE 3: PANORAMA
EXAMPLE 1: UILENKRAAL
In this experiment, two ponds at a feedlot located at Uilenkraal, in Darling, Western Cape, South Africa were treated. The two ponds having a combined volume of approximately 57.3 million litres were in a highly polluted state, having contained therein run-off effluent from a dairy farming facility. The ponds therefore contained raw cow-dung and over time had become rotten and eutrophic, with bad odour, floating debris, and obvious fermentation (bubbling).
Upon addition of 50 litres of the first water treatment composition described above, oxidation was immediately observed. Within a week of adding the composition, the boiling effect stabilized and the pungent smell was no longer detectable. The contents of the pond were suitable for use as a fertilizer for irrigation. An automatic dosing system is now being installed on the farm.
Birdlife was also seen to increase around the ponds.
EXAMPLE 2: KOI FISH
Approximately 300 Koi fish, each having a length of about 150 to 200 mm, were kept in a 5000 litre body of water of about 800 mm deep for 6 months.
The fish were fed three times a day. The water was not changed during the duration of the experiment, and the addition of water was limited to topping up of the water to compensate for evaporation. The filter system used comprised a 200 litre plastic container having filter sand at the bottom which was covered by a layer of gravel. The water was circulated by pumping from the bottom of the body of water to the top at about 800 litres per hour. 500 millilitres of the water composition of the invention was added to the body of water every week.
After 6 months, the ammonia levels were measured using standard techniques, and were found to be 0.01 millilitres / litre, while the nitrites were 0.02 millilitres / litre. Under normal circumstances the ammonia and nitrites 5 would have been very high, in the region of 6+ and fish would have died as a result. Fish are typically already endangered at levels of 0.05.
EXAMPLE 3: PANORAMA
10 In this experiment, a 2060 mega litre (about 26 hectares) dam was treated with 50 litres of the water treatment composition of the invention. The dam was located in Riebeeck Kasteel on the farm Panorama, South Africa, and was in a eutrophic state. There was rotten algal scum in the dam and the water was turbid.
Within 4 days of the composition being sprayed onto the surface of the dam from a boat, the rotten algal scum had decreased and the water had become clear.
EXAMPLE 4: WELGEVONDEN
The Welgevonden farm irrigation dam in Riebeeck Kasteel, South Africa was treated. Before treatment, brown algal problems and E. coli contamination of about 200 counts per million was reported. After treatment, E. coli contamination was not detectable.
EXAMPLE 5: WELGEVALLEN
University Stellenbosch Aqua culture department The treatment of dams in Welgevallen, South Africa was conducted. Two dams, experiment and control, each of 50 000 litres were set up under standard supervision, and allowed to ripen to a rotting state by adding old rotting vegetables leaves to it during the summer season. One dam was treated with the first water treatment composition described above, and the other was left untreated. Fish stocks were placed in both dams.
Before treatment, algae were observed to be rapidly growing in the water.
The dam also exhibited a pungent smell. Constant aeration of the dam was required. In addition, the treated dam had no filter system and had to rely only on aeration, while the control dam had both a filter and aeration. An ecological imbalance of the water was observed.
After the experimental dam was treated with the composition, no algal blooms were noted and all fish were observed to be healthy. Since very little aeration of the dam was required, no filter system was used. The ecology of the water was also observed to have been rehabilitated.
EXAMPLE 6: BOSPLAAS
In this experiment, a polluted 120 mega litre dam on Bosplaas farm, Hermon, South Africa was treated with the 50 litre composition of the invention.
Even up to a year after treatment, E. coil concentrations in the dam were reported to be below detection levels, despite the high incidence of rain in the area and the fact that the water feeding into the dam from the Berg River was reportedly highly contaminated with E. coll.
EXAMPLE 7: RUSTENBURG WINE FARM
Stellenbosch University Aqua Culture Department:
The treatment of a 68 million litre dam on Rustenburg Wine farm, Stellenbosch, South Africa with 25 litre of the first composition of the invention described was completed. The dam was used by the owners thereof for the production of trout for export. Before treatment of the dam, the total fish harvest for the export trout farm was rejected by customs officials in the European Community upon importation due to the levels of toxins detected in the fish. The toxins were believed to be caused by an infestation of the dam of blue-green algae. The water of the dam was observed to be murky, and the ecology of the dam was noted to be imbalanced.
3 weeks after treatment of the dam, no blue-algae persisted in the water, and the water became very clear, with visibility up to 2 meters below the surface of the water. Populations of Daphnia, zoo-plankton, and bird life were observed to reproduce and flourish, and the water ecology was rehabilitated.
The increase in Daphnia population was observed to have an enhancing effect on the growth and total fish production of the dam. Rainbow trout fingerlings were stocked at 250 g in May and harvested at 1.25 kg on 25 October of the same year. Fish were fed daily on artificial diets with a feed biomass load of 1-2% of the bodyweight of the fish. The fish harvest in the year was reported as the best harvest in terms of meat colour and fish size, yielded by the farm in 4 years.
EXAMPLE 8: SANNITREE
An experiment was conducted on Nitida Wine farm in the Western Cape, South Africa, where wetlands had been constructed into which the farm's wine effluent was disposed. This effluent was reported as having a high chemical oxygen demand (COD) which was too high to accurately measure.
Before treatment, the appearance of the body of water of the wetlands was that of a black, stinking mess, clogged with the gels and total suspended solids (TSS) that are typically present in wine industrial effluent.
A total of 5 litre of the first composition described according to the invention was added directly to the wetlands on three occasions, over a period of three weeks. The experiment was begun in July and the first treatment was added to the water. A week later, the COD levels had decreased to 7560, and the second treatment was added to the water. Approximately two weeks later, the COD levels were decreased to 590 and the third treatment was added to the water. An further approximately two weeks later, the COD levels were decreased to 400. The COD test was conducted using Hanna Instruments using a medium range and a high range reagent.
The environmentally-friendly water treatment composition of the invention described herein, is believed to facilitate the treatment and rehabilitation of eutrophic water in situ, as well as the treatment of water-based effluent derived from:
a) Mariculture and Aquaculture industries;
b) Waste water industries;
c) Industrial effluents;
d) Agricultural sectors;
e) Ornamental fish industries;
f) Parks and recreational sectors;
g) Dams holding drinking water;
h) Polluted natural water bodies such as lakes, dams, and rivers;
i) Dead zones along coastlines;
j) Eutrophic lakes;
k) Industrial treatment of corrosion on steel;
I) Industrial treatment of chlorides; and m) Air conditioning in public places.
From the experiments conducted, the various ingredients of the composition of the invention appear to have a lesser effect on eutrophic water if applied individually, than when applied together in the composition. It is therefore believed that the ingredients of the composition exhibit a synergism when applied together that was not previously known, nor could it have been expected.
Within 4 days of the composition being sprayed onto the surface of the dam from a boat, the rotten algal scum had decreased and the water had become clear.
EXAMPLE 4: WELGEVONDEN
The Welgevonden farm irrigation dam in Riebeeck Kasteel, South Africa was treated. Before treatment, brown algal problems and E. coli contamination of about 200 counts per million was reported. After treatment, E. coli contamination was not detectable.
EXAMPLE 5: WELGEVALLEN
University Stellenbosch Aqua culture department The treatment of dams in Welgevallen, South Africa was conducted. Two dams, experiment and control, each of 50 000 litres were set up under standard supervision, and allowed to ripen to a rotting state by adding old rotting vegetables leaves to it during the summer season. One dam was treated with the first water treatment composition described above, and the other was left untreated. Fish stocks were placed in both dams.
Before treatment, algae were observed to be rapidly growing in the water.
The dam also exhibited a pungent smell. Constant aeration of the dam was required. In addition, the treated dam had no filter system and had to rely only on aeration, while the control dam had both a filter and aeration. An ecological imbalance of the water was observed.
After the experimental dam was treated with the composition, no algal blooms were noted and all fish were observed to be healthy. Since very little aeration of the dam was required, no filter system was used. The ecology of the water was also observed to have been rehabilitated.
EXAMPLE 6: BOSPLAAS
In this experiment, a polluted 120 mega litre dam on Bosplaas farm, Hermon, South Africa was treated with the 50 litre composition of the invention.
Even up to a year after treatment, E. coil concentrations in the dam were reported to be below detection levels, despite the high incidence of rain in the area and the fact that the water feeding into the dam from the Berg River was reportedly highly contaminated with E. coll.
EXAMPLE 7: RUSTENBURG WINE FARM
Stellenbosch University Aqua Culture Department:
The treatment of a 68 million litre dam on Rustenburg Wine farm, Stellenbosch, South Africa with 25 litre of the first composition of the invention described was completed. The dam was used by the owners thereof for the production of trout for export. Before treatment of the dam, the total fish harvest for the export trout farm was rejected by customs officials in the European Community upon importation due to the levels of toxins detected in the fish. The toxins were believed to be caused by an infestation of the dam of blue-green algae. The water of the dam was observed to be murky, and the ecology of the dam was noted to be imbalanced.
3 weeks after treatment of the dam, no blue-algae persisted in the water, and the water became very clear, with visibility up to 2 meters below the surface of the water. Populations of Daphnia, zoo-plankton, and bird life were observed to reproduce and flourish, and the water ecology was rehabilitated.
The increase in Daphnia population was observed to have an enhancing effect on the growth and total fish production of the dam. Rainbow trout fingerlings were stocked at 250 g in May and harvested at 1.25 kg on 25 October of the same year. Fish were fed daily on artificial diets with a feed biomass load of 1-2% of the bodyweight of the fish. The fish harvest in the year was reported as the best harvest in terms of meat colour and fish size, yielded by the farm in 4 years.
EXAMPLE 8: SANNITREE
An experiment was conducted on Nitida Wine farm in the Western Cape, South Africa, where wetlands had been constructed into which the farm's wine effluent was disposed. This effluent was reported as having a high chemical oxygen demand (COD) which was too high to accurately measure.
Before treatment, the appearance of the body of water of the wetlands was that of a black, stinking mess, clogged with the gels and total suspended solids (TSS) that are typically present in wine industrial effluent.
A total of 5 litre of the first composition described according to the invention was added directly to the wetlands on three occasions, over a period of three weeks. The experiment was begun in July and the first treatment was added to the water. A week later, the COD levels had decreased to 7560, and the second treatment was added to the water. Approximately two weeks later, the COD levels were decreased to 590 and the third treatment was added to the water. An further approximately two weeks later, the COD levels were decreased to 400. The COD test was conducted using Hanna Instruments using a medium range and a high range reagent.
The environmentally-friendly water treatment composition of the invention described herein, is believed to facilitate the treatment and rehabilitation of eutrophic water in situ, as well as the treatment of water-based effluent derived from:
a) Mariculture and Aquaculture industries;
b) Waste water industries;
c) Industrial effluents;
d) Agricultural sectors;
e) Ornamental fish industries;
f) Parks and recreational sectors;
g) Dams holding drinking water;
h) Polluted natural water bodies such as lakes, dams, and rivers;
i) Dead zones along coastlines;
j) Eutrophic lakes;
k) Industrial treatment of corrosion on steel;
I) Industrial treatment of chlorides; and m) Air conditioning in public places.
From the experiments conducted, the various ingredients of the composition of the invention appear to have a lesser effect on eutrophic water if applied individually, than when applied together in the composition. It is therefore believed that the ingredients of the composition exhibit a synergism when applied together that was not previously known, nor could it have been expected.
It should be appreciated that numerous modifications and adjustments may be made to the water treatment composition of the invention, as well as to the method of preparing it, the method of inhibiting or preventing the growth of at least one microbe in a body of water, and the method of treating a body of water using the water treatment composition of the invention, without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the volume of material in the form of leaves and/or stems of the plants that are processed into particulate matter, as well as the volume of the water in which they are suspended, the ratios of the extracts combined to produce the water treatment composition, and the ratio of volume of the composition used to treat various sizes of water bodies may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims (19)
1. A water treatment composition comprising (a) an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Eucaluptus;
(b) an extract from at least one plant belonging to the family Poaceae; and (c) an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Carpobrotus;
the composition being in a form suitable for addition to water bodies for the treatment and prevention of eutrophication.
(b) an extract from at least one plant belonging to the family Poaceae; and (c) an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Carpobrotus;
the composition being in a form suitable for addition to water bodies for the treatment and prevention of eutrophication.
2. A water treatment composition as claimed in claim 1 in which the plant of the genus Eucaluptus is Eucaluptus globules and the plant of the genus Carpobrotus is one or more of Carpobrotus edulis (P);
Carpobrotus edulis (Y) Carpobrotus edulis (W), wherein P indicates pink flowers, Y indicates yellow flowers, and W indicates white flowers.
Carpobrotus edulis (Y) Carpobrotus edulis (W), wherein P indicates pink flowers, Y indicates yellow flowers, and W indicates white flowers.
3. A water treatment composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes an extract from one or more plants from the genus Aloe and genus Sutherlandia.
4. A water treatment composition as claimed in claim 3 in which the plant of the genus Aloe is Aloe ferox and the plant of the genus Sutherlandia is Sutherlandia Fructecens.
5. A water treatment composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the extract is prepared from one or both of the leaves and stems of the plants.
6. A method of preparing a water treatment composition suitable for addition to water bodies for the treatment and prevention of eutrophication thereof, the method including the steps of (a) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Eucaluptus;
(b) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the family Poaceae;
(c) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Carpobrotus; and (d) combining the extracts.
(b) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the family Poaceae;
(c) preparing an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Carpobrotus; and (d) combining the extracts.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the plant of the genus Eucaluptus is Eucaluptus globulus and the plant of the genus Carpobrotus is one or more of Carpobrotus edulis (P); Carpobrotus edulis (Y); and Carpobrotus edulis (W), wherein P indicates pink flowers, Y indicates yellow flowers, and W indicates white flowers.
8. A method as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 which includes the step of preparing the extracts from one or both of the leaves and stems of the plants using a suitable solvent.
9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 in which step (a) includes processing plant material of the plant into particulate form and suspending it in water in a ratio of about 1 part plant material to 25 parts water.
10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 in which step (b) includes processing plant material of the plant into particulate form and suspending it in water in a ratio of about 3 parts plant material to 100 parts water.
11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 in which step (c) includes processing plant material of the plant into particulate form, suspending it in water in a ratio of about 1 part plant material to 3 parts water for about 8 hours and then straining it.
12. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11 in which one or both of steps (a) and (b) include heating the water and plant material suspension to about 55° C, cooling the suspension and straining the suspension.
13. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 12 in which step (d) includes combining about 1 part of the extract obtained in step (a), about 1 part of the extract obtained in step (b) and 1 to 1.5 parts of the extract obtained at step (c) with about 5 parts water.
14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 13 which includes the steps of (e) preparing one or more of an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Aloe; and (f) an extract from at least one plant belonging to the genus Sutherlandia; and (g) combining either or both the extracts so obtained with the composition.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14 in which the plant in step (e) is Aloe ferox and the plant used in step (f) is Sutherlandia Fructecens.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15 in which step (e) includes producing dried crystals from juice drained from the leaves of the plant.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16 in which step (e) includes burning the juice to provide crystals.
18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17 in which step (f) includes processing plant material of the plant into particulate form and suspending it in water or water treatment composition in a ratio of about 1 part plant material to 200 parts water or water treatment composition.
19. A method of treating a body of water in order to reduce or prevent eutrophication comprising administering to the body of water a water treatment composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 by spraying the composition on the surface of the body of water or adding the composition to the body of water.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZA200908075 | 2009-11-17 | ||
| ZA2009/08075 | 2009-11-17 | ||
| PCT/IB2010/002925 WO2011061596A2 (en) | 2009-11-17 | 2010-11-17 | Composition for use in water treatment |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2818460A1 true CA2818460A1 (en) | 2011-05-26 |
Family
ID=44060121
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2818460 Abandoned CA2818460A1 (en) | 2009-11-17 | 2010-11-17 | Composition for use in water treatment |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2010320572B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2818460A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2011061596A2 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA201206853B (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN108640373B (en) * | 2018-05-03 | 2021-10-01 | 江西师范大学 | Method for promoting rapid separation of algae liquid in microalgae wastewater treatment by using calamus water extract |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2002068335A2 (en) * | 2001-02-27 | 2002-09-06 | Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research | Essential oil composition for potable water disinfection |
| US7485259B2 (en) * | 2002-10-08 | 2009-02-03 | Eldred Bradley J | Organic compound and metal ion synergistic disinfection and purification system and method of manufacture |
-
2010
- 2010-11-17 CA CA 2818460 patent/CA2818460A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-11-17 AU AU2010320572A patent/AU2010320572B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2010-11-17 WO PCT/IB2010/002925 patent/WO2011061596A2/en active Application Filing
-
2012
- 2012-09-13 ZA ZA2012/06853A patent/ZA201206853B/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2010320572B2 (en) | 2016-12-01 |
| AU2010320572A1 (en) | 2012-07-12 |
| ZA201206853B (en) | 2013-06-26 |
| WO2011061596A3 (en) | 2012-01-19 |
| WO2011061596A2 (en) | 2011-05-26 |
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