Journal of Atmospheric and Environmental Optics ›› 2020, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (1): 72-80.

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Monitoring of Algal Flocculation Using Polarized Light Scattering

LI Jiajin1,2, LIAO Ran1,3, ZHUO Zepeng1,4, YU Shijun1,2, MA Hui1,4   

  1. 1Guangdong Research Center of Polarization Imaging and Measurement Engineering Technology, Tsinghua 
    Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China;
    2Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China;
    3Division of Ocean Science and Technology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China;
    4Department of Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
  • Online:2020-01-28 Published:2020-01-20

Abstract: Adding proper amount of flocculants and coagulants into water can settle algal flocculation and remove algal 
bloom. Water body in scene is much complex and there are many factors affecting the flocculation effects. 
It is beneficial to improve the treatment effect to monitor the algae flocculation process in situ
Microcysts aeruginosa was used as a sample in this work to form flocculant suspension by adding different 
concentrations of polyaluminium chloride and kaolin, and then the polarization parameters of the different 
flocs suspension were measured by polarized light scattering technique. The results show that the polarization 
parameters can be used to characterize the flocculation processes affected by the dosage of flocculants and 
coagulants, which shows the potential of the proposed polarized light scattering technique to describe the 
algal flocculation process. It is indicated that the method provides an  in-situ non-contact, unmarked and 
rapid monitoring tool for algal flocculation process research, algal blooms governance and monitoring, 
contaminated water treatment, pharmaceutical development, etc.

Key words: algae, flocculation, polarized light scattering, monitoring

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