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Biotechnology, Engineering and Dredging | Ohio Sea Grant

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Biotechnology, Engineering and Dredging

Ohio Sea grant researchers deliver cutting-edge knowledge and technology development, from satellite observation and redirecting dredged sediments to vaccine administration in aquaculture

Ohio Sea Grant research has pioneered the field of engineered organisms for heavy metal remediation and vaccine delivery in aquaculture. Its programs have also developed new maps and charts, constructed artificial reefs to enhance wildlife habitat and recreation, and improved the safety and quality of underwater welds. Research partnerships tap into data gleaned from satellites that constantly collect data relevant to the Great Lakes, such as identifying the presence of algal blooms. Projects also include an extension component that educates stakeholders such as farmers and city planners about how they can keep the Lake Erie watershed healthy.

CURRENT PROJECTS


Nutrient Biogeochemistry Consequences of Beneficial Re-use of Dredge Material (Sandusky Bay)

RECORD:
R/ER-133-LEPF
2018
Principal Investigator:

Lauren Kinsman-Costello, Assistant Professor, Kent State Department of Biological Sciences

Institution:

Kent State University


Research in progress.

Testing and Optimization of Microcystin Detoxifying Water Biofilters

RECORD:
R/SDW-010-ODHE
2018
Principal Investigator:

Jason Huntley, Laboratory Director, UT Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology

Institution:

University of Toledo


Research in progress.

ImmunoFET Sensors for Detection of Microcystins in Human Biological Samples

RECORD:
R/PPH-005-ODHE
2018
Principal Investigator:

Wu Lu, Professor, OSU College of Engineering

Institution:

The Ohio State University


Research in progress.

Optimizing the Use of Powdered Activated Carbon for Saxitoxin Removal

RECORD:
R/SDW-009-ODHE
2018
Principal Investigator:

John Lenhart, Associate Professor, OSU Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering

Institution:

The Ohio State University


Research in progress.

GaN ImmunoFET Biosensors for Multiplexing Detection of Cyanotoxins in Water

RECORD:
R/SDW-006-ODHE
2018
Principal Investigator:

Wu Lu, Professor, OSU College of Engineering

Institution:

The Ohio State University


Research in progress.

HABSat-1 (Harmful Algae Bloom Satellite-1)

RECORD:
R/HAB-011-ODHE
2018
Principal Investigator:

Catharine McGhan, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics, University of Cincinnati

Institution:

University of Cincinnati


Research in progress.

BioFET Sensors for Detection of Saxitoxins and Anatoxins

RECORD:
R/BT-010-PD
2017
Principal Investigator:

Wu Lu, Professor, OSU College of Engineering

Institution:

The Ohio State University


Research in progress.

Software Defined Network/IoT (SDN) for phosphorous data collection, analytics, speed, low latency, security, and security

RECORD:
R/ER-127-PD
2017
Principal Investigator:

Bryan Stubbs, Director, Cleveland Water Alliance

Institution:

Cleveland Water Alliance


RELEVANCE: Nutrient runoff reduction initiatives are common around Lake Erie these days, but in many cases, projects are implemented without plans for evaluation and ongoing improvement. This can put companies and research institutions at a disadvantage, as new technologies are brought to market without plans for long-term longevity.

RESPONSE: A design challenge brought together experienced designers, agencies and competitors to develop technologies that included detection, online networking, and data analysis and are able to be scaled up for commercial use. Work continues after the competition, with assistance provided to all five competing teams regardless of whether they won the challenge.

RESULTS: Teams continue to work together to find impactful applications for their technologies, and the concept designs served as the basis for an NSF grant submission that would put $3 million into deploying these technologies in Lake Erie over three years.

BOTTOM LINE

A design contest resulted in five technology prototypes that tackle harmful algal bloom detection, online collection and data analysis. The projects continue to be supported as they move towards commercialization, and formed the basis for a larger grant submission that would deploy them for use in Lake Erie.

  •  Summary

Development of Persistent, High-Resolution Remote Sensing of Cyanobacterial Distributions

RECORD:
R/ER-125-PD
2017
Principal Investigator:

Brian Trease, Faculty, University of Toledo

Institution:

University of Toledo


RELEVANCE: Current remote sensors that detect harmful algal blooms at high resolution tend to visit the Great Lakes intermittently, every few days or once a week. Constant monitoring at the same high resolution would be useful to harmful algal bloom researchers and water quality managers alike.

RESPONSE: Engineering teams designed, built and tested a tethered helium balloon that could serve as the platform for a lightweight stationary algal bloom sensor and could be left in place for about a week, transmitting data to a ground station throughout.

RESULTS: The researchers expect to fully evaluate the design after the 2018 harmful algal bloom season. Due to the logistical challenges of transporting the six-foot balloon, they are also working on a drone that can carry the same instruments for better portability, but much shorter flight duration.

BOTTOM LINE

Researchers are developing a lightweight, high-resolution sensor that can monitor harmful algal blooms from a tethered balloon, collecting data consistently for about a week to supplement airplane or satellite flyovers. This would provide researchers and water quality managers with more data at a relatively low cost, expanding their ability to address Lake Erie's harmful algal bloom problem.

  •  Summary

Effects of pH and natural organic matter on degradation kinetics of extracellular cyanotoxins by ultrasound assisted advanced oxidation technologies

RECORD:
R/ES-025-PD
2016
Principal Investigator:

Soryong Chae, Assistant Professor, UC Department of Biomedical, Chemical, and Environmental Engineering

Institution:

University of Cincinnati


RELEVANCE: Cyanobacteria are found in most bodies of water, but their excessive growth forms harmful algal blooms under favorable conditions like excess nutrients, strong sunlight, and high temperatures. These blooms can also produce toxic compounds, threatening the health of humans and wildlife that come in contact with or drink affected water. New methods for degrading toxins are being developed to keep drinking water safe, but it’s largely unknown how organic matter life leaf debris in the water affects these methods.

RESPONSE: A partnership between scientists and a local water treatment plant is studying the effects of water chemistry on the degradation of cyanobacterial toxins in water meant for eventual human consumption.

RESULTS: Laboratory experiments showed that a combination of ultrasound and ultraviolet light can be used to degrade algal toxins, especially if hydrogen peroxide is added to the water. Various treatment combinations degraded 100% of algal toxins in 35-60 minutes. However, the addition of compounds often present in leaf debris significantly reduced the effectiveness of these treatments to below 45% in the same time frames.

BOTTOM LINE

Water treatment plants use a range of treatment methods to keep drinking water safe from the toxins produced by harmful algal blooms. Research suggests that these methods have to be adjusted to account for the presence of organic matter like leaf debris in the water, which slows treatment effectiveness significantly.

  •  Summary