frequently asked questions
Who is AquaFiber Technologies Corporation?
AquaFiber was incorporated in March 2000. Our technologies have evolved from the use of periphyton floways and ozone to our current technology we call AquaLutionsTM. Our patented technologies are designed and applied to remediate surface waters impacted by nutrients from land-uses and atmospheric deposition (primary phosphorus and nitrogen). Our technologies also remove other pollutants that degrade water quality. The algae biomass that is harvested by our process can be used to produce alternative energy, molded fiber packaging products, animal feeds and fertilizer.
What is your corporate Vision and Mission?
AquaFiber is a small, entrepreneurial biotechnology company that is dedicated to finding common-sense solutions to serious water quality problems. We integrate the best available science and engineering with smart business practices to provide leading-edge technologies that work. Our Vision is Clean Water - Clean World. Our mission is to provide clean water today and for future generations.
What exactly does your process do?
AquaFiber holds numerous U.S. and International patents and has many patents pending. As patents become public, we are able to talk openly about our specific technology advancements and processes. When you visit our project sites we often refer to “the black box”. This comment refers to our new technologies that have patents pending. We really want to share our discoveries with you, but to protect our intellectual capital, we have to wait until the patents are issued. Our technologies enable AquaFiber to harvest microalgae from a water column and in the process remove phosphorous, nitrogen and other compounds. When AquaFiber returns the water after treatment, it is clear, clean, oxygenated and with significant nutrient load reduction.
How serious is the problem of too many nutrients in surface waters?
The process of eutrophication (i.e. the addition of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to surface waters) can result in excess nutrients that stimulate excessive plant growth (algae, periphyton attached algae, and nuisance plants weeds). This enhanced plant growth, often called an algal bloom, reduces dissolved oxygen in the water when dead plant material decomposes and can cause organisms to die. Water with a low concentration of dissolved oxygen is called hypoxic. In coastal waters, large hypoxic zones are often called “dead zones”. The Gulf of Mexico “dead zone” is one of the largest in the world covering over 7,000 square miles. Nutrient over-enrichment in fresh, estuarine and ocean waters can reduce biological diversity, cause harmful algal blooms, create fish kills, threaten human health and damage local economies.
Is your process expensive?
AquaFiber’s custom biotechnology is very cost effective. Our technology costs are significantly less than the combined capital and operational cost of other approaches. The key is to evaluate costs from a total systems approach: capital, operations and maintenance, land and the cost of repetitive treatments years into the future. AquaFiber is not just cost-competitive in these traditional measures. Because of our technology efficiency and adaptability to, the costs are far more predictable. AquaFiber offers a custom solution. The bottom line is our clients pay for what they get, they’re not paying for services they don’t need. Pound for pound of nutrient reduction per gallon of water, AquaFiber leads the way.
What do you do with the algal biomass you harvest?
AquaFiber focuses on water treatment. Initially, we looked at the residual algal biomass as waste. Because AquaFiber is dedicated to triple bottom line of sustainability (i.e. Ecological, Social and Economic Performance), we try to recycle at every step of our water treatment process. Over the years, we have found that the algal biomass has potential secondary value as a renewable energy source, source of fiber for textiles, source of nutrients for animal feed and fertilizer for soil remediation. Many governmental agencies and private companies are looking at potential uses for algal biomass. AquaFiber is proud to be able to say that we can supply large volumes of algal biomass to any interested user-group. One of AquaFiber’s Board members (Dick Nunis, a former executive with the Walt Disney Company and “Disney Legend”) calls this AquaFiber’s “Circle of Life”.
Does the removal of microalgae from the water column harm the ecosystem?
No. Microalgae reproduce quickly in healthy ecosystems. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix to clean up waterways impacted by decades of nutrient loads, algal blooms and human abuse. Eutrophication has been shown to decrease natural biological diversity, increase fish kills, and reduce oxygen levels in natural water bodies. Some algal species are associated with the production of toxic compounds that can threaten the health of both animals and people. Nutrient loads can be addressed through nutrient source reductions. Unfortunately, this approach does little to address nutrients already in the system (often referred to as legacy nutrients). Whether we are trying to restore a lake or coastal marine ecosystem, full restoration takes a holistic ecosystem approach that may require many years to complete. AquaFiber’s patented AquaLutionsTM process can be used to reduce total phosphorus levels (the major driver of eutrophication). Our AquaLutionsTM process can be applied to reduce source inputs and well as reduce nutrients already in the system. Our technology is effective, uses less land than natural marsh floways or periphyton floways, and is scalable to handle large waterways and water flows.
Could your process have unintended environmental consequences?
AquaFiber’s process is effective, simple and safe. In advance of our demonstration project at Lake Jesup, AquaFiber conducted chronic and acute toxicity tests to demonstrate that our process has no known environmental consequences. This was an important finding before the St. Johns Water Management District awarded the contract. In addition, we operated our research and development facility on Lake Apopka for many years with no environmental impacts. In fact, we were able to harvest algae from Lake Apopka, one of the most polluted lakes in Florida, and transform that water to the quality of drinking water. While our process does harvest algae and remove nutrients and other pollutants from the lake’s water column, the increase quality and clarity of the water allows the lake to naturally recover and find its natural balance, a balance that was lost through years of human impacts and neglect.
Why not treat the lake with aluminum sulfate (Alum)?
Alum is a material commonly used in water treatment to clarify water and reduce the amount of phosphorus in the water. On contact with water, alum forms a fluffy aluminum hydroxide precipitate called floc. It binds with the phosphorus to form a compound that is insoluble in water and the floc slowly settles to the bottom, leaving the lake noticeably clearer. On the bottom of the lake, the floc forms a layer that acts as a phosphorus barrier by combining with phosphorus as it is released from the sediments. Alum is generally considered non-toxic as long as the water does not become too acidic. At low pH levels alum can become toxic to aquatic organisms. We think AquaLutions™ is a better, more effective and natural solution.
Your website mentions AquaKnight™. What is that?
AquaKnight™ is a mobile AquaLutions™ water treatment unit that can be delivered to field locations where demonstration-scale or emergency responses are needed to remediate up to 20,000 gallons/day from impaired water bodies. The AquaKnight™ name means “gentleman soldier of water” – always ready for deployment.
I don’t live on waterfront property. Why should I care about cleaning water in lakes, streams, estuaries and nearshore ocean waters?
In the last 20 years, communities across the United States spent approximately $1 trillion on drinking water treatment and supply and wastewater treatment and disposal. While this spending is significant, it may not be sufficient to ensure the delivery of sustainable drinking water and wastewater services in the decades ahead (U.S. EPA, 2006). Economic losses caused by nutrient pollution of U.S. freshwaters are felt by people all around the country. How severe is the problem of freshwater contamination with phosphorus and nitrogen? With the exception of certain forested areas, 90% of rivers and lakes across the U.S. contain levels of these nutrients much higher than what is normal for these freshwater ecosystems. While the world’s population tripled in the 20th century, the use of renewable water resources has grown six-fold. Within the next fifty years, the world population will increase by another 40 to 50 %. This population growth - coupled with industrialization and urbanization - will result in an increasing demand for water and will have serious consequences on the environment and on human health. The World Health Organization estimates that more than one out of six people lack access to safe drinking water (1.1 billion people) and more than two out of six lack adequate sanitation (2.6 billion people). Water resources are becoming scare in many parts of the world causing a crisis for the environment, industry, agriculture and human health. Water quality and availability impacts property values, recreational opportunities, fisheries, tourism, human health and our quality of life.
Does your system work in estuarine and marine systems?
In 2009, we began testing our AquaLutionsTM system in the laboratory with estuarine and marine waters. These preliminary studies suggest that the process will be effective in reducing phosphorus and nitrogen in estuarine and marine systems. We are dedicated to continuous science and technology improvements to one day be able to address the environmental, economic and health challenges of harmful algal blooms (red tides) and coastal “dead zones”. Imagine the possibilities…the ability to clean water and produce algal biomass for renewable energy.
AquaFiber News
Read the latest news on AquaFiber Technologies Corporation
aqualutions™
Patent pending technology that removes phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon, and other harmful pollutants from surface waters.
aquaknight™
A mobile water treatment unit that can be delivered to field locations.
partners
AquaFiber is working with the following organizations.