Green Algae ‍Removal Vessels: Are They Effective in Removing Toxins?

When green algae⁤ occurs in rivers or ⁣lakes, ⁣the ‍government uses algae removal ships to clean up the affected areas.

The process involves separating the waste from‍ the removed green algae and draining the water again.

However, recent coverage by MBC News revealed that green algae toxins were flowing back ‍into the river ‌after ‍the removal process.

Journalist Cha Hyun-jin reports on the issue.

How Green ⁢Algae Removal Vessels Work

A green algae removal vessel was deployed on the surface ​of the green water, collecting ​the ⁤algae and leaving a stream of water⁤ in its tracks.

The collected⁤ green algae are ⁣then treated by separating the water and the green algae residue through a net.

The residue ‍is incinerated or‌ landfilled, and the ⁣water​ is returned to the river.

Toxins Detected in Discharged Water

However, ‌MBC News found that a⁣ large ⁤amount ⁢of⁤ the highly toxic substance microcystin was detected in some of the discharged water.

An environmental group had previously obtained and analyzed water that had been‌ separated from green algae residue ⁢and discharged from the Changnyeong Haman Port section of the Nakdong River.

The results showed that 400 ppb of‌ microcystin was detected, which is more than 50 times the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines ‍for banning water features.

“It‌ is ironic ‌that we do⁣ our best‌ to bring green algae and river water to the earth… but instead of removing the toxins from the green algae, we grow the toxins from the green algae…”

— 안숙희, Environmental Activist

Effectiveness‌ of Green Algae Removal Vessels

Some point out that green algae removal lines are not very‍ effective.

The government has deployed a total of 28 green algae removal vessels to ⁢areas⁢ with severe green algae ‍in major rivers across the country.

According to environmental groups, one ​boat collects 0.055 tons of green algae‌ per second.

Considering that the⁣ river’s flow can reach hundreds of ​tons per second,‍ it is not ‍very effective.

“The problem occurred because of the ‘suffocating prescription’ of‌ removing only the floating green algae in the water without taking fundamental measures to remove the green algae, such as demolishing the four main​ dams of the river…”

— 이용우, Member of the ⁢National Assembly

Ministry⁢ of Environment’s​ Response

The Ministry of Environment said that there are no separate regulations for ⁤the treatment‌ of water separated from green algae.

They also responded that the environmental group’s analysis did not follow the government’s established method and only substandard toxins were detected ‍in water separated and treated elsewhere early last month.

This is Cha Hyun-jin‍ from MBC News.