A method and system for reducing the concentration of nitrogen-bound nitrate from at least one of groundwater, surface water, or waste water is disclosed. The system includes an algal photobioreactor system. The photobioreactor includes a transparent tubular structure, a medium disposed inside the transparent tubular structure, and alga configured to adhere to the medium. The photobioreactor further includes a pump, and a light source. The method includes providing contaminant-containing water, adding the water to the algal photobioreactor system, adjusting at least one of temperature, ion concentration, CO.sub.2 concentration, pH, light wavelength, ion concentration or light intensity in the algal photobioreactor system to enhance growth of algae, removing water from the algal photobioreactor system, and harvesting the algal biomass. A system and method are also disclosed for reducing the concentration of organophosphates from water via an organophosphate-removing alga.

The invention relates to a filter unit (1, 19), having: at least one warp-knitted spacer (3) which comprises a first and a second cover layer (4; 5) having in each case a multiplicity of openings (6) which are delimited by peripheral regions (7), wherein threads (8) extend from the peripheral regions (7) of the first cover layer (4) to peripheral regions (7) of the second cover layer (5), and wherein the at least one warp-knitted spacer is rolled, twisted, and/or at least in one portion is compressed.

The invention provides an integrated water treatment system suitable for use in the treatment of contaminated water, wastewater, potable water, aquaculture, industrial water and polluted water bodies. An integrated water treatment system according to at least one embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of modules adapted to float in a body of water integrating a plurality of different attached growth biofilm media types positioned within a plurality of water flow paths and circulations. The conditions provided by a multiple of media types and plurality of flow paths creates a multiplier effect increasing the number of treatment zones and an increased diversity of interconnected treatment process zone types. Embodiments of the invention provide a diversity of conditions and biological habitats establishing a poly-culture of producers, consumers and higher organisms in an ecosystem of biological treatment processes, with complex metabolic pathways and food chains increasing treatment efficiency and the range of pollutants which may be effectively treated. Modules comprised in the system are adjustable in operational rate, series, and timing, and are movable in configuration and/or proximity providing a new type of adaptable, re-configurable and adjustable multi-zone, integrated ecological biofilm water treatment system.

A water purification apparatus includes a flow-rate regulating tank, an aeration tank, a solar power generation unit, and an air blowing unit. The flow-rate regulating tank changes flow-rate of polluted fluid to constantly discharge. The aeration tank purifies the fluid using microorganisms by contacting the polluted fluid supplied from the flow-rate regulating tank to an air, and includes a floatable panel supporting part and a purifying part connected under the panel supporting part to purify the polluted fluid. The solar power generation unit is supported by the panel supporting part to generate electric power using sunlight. The air blowing unit receives the electric power from the solar power generation unit to supply the air in the aeration tank.

A treatment system of the present invention generally includes a plurality of high surface area sheets anchored to a fixed base. The sheets are generally vertically oriented although able to flex and sway independently. Substantially all regions of substantially all sheets are aerated. The sheets are constructed of an open weave substrate that allows the diffusion of gas, nutrients and food, while protecting and serving as an attachment site for a variety of microbial colonies in both anoxic and aerobic zones. In use a system of the present invention is inserted into a wastewater reservoir, and aerated, for treatment of the wastewater.

A treatment system of the present invention generally includes a floating support structure having an upper flotation assembly, a base assembly that secures the bottom edges of a plurality of low density sheets, and vertical frame members that connect the upper flotation assembly to the base assembly. The sheets are generally vertically oriented although able to flex and sway independently. Substantially all regions of substantially all sheets are aerated. The sheets are constructed of an open weave substrate that allows the diffusion of gas, nutrients and food, while protecting and serving as an attachment site for a variety of microbial colonies in both anoxic and aerobic zones. In use a system of the present invention is inserted into a wastewater reservoir, and aerated, for treatment of the wastewater.

Pond filter unit and a method for operating a pond filter unit (1). A control unit (12) controls the operation of the pond filter unit (1), including the cleaning cycle of the filter (2′, 2″, 2′″). The pond filter unit (1) further comprises one or more plugs (14) for connecting one or more auxiliary devices, such as a separate pump, one or more additional pond filter units, illumination devices/lamps, air pumps, and/or feed automats. The control unit (12) of the pond filter further controls the one or more auxiliary devices connected to the plugs (14), such as pumps, air pumps, automatic feeding devices based on input settings for each of the one or more auxiliary devices. The control unit (12) further controls the cleaning cycle for cleaning of the filter (2) in the vessel (3). The cleaning cycle comprises a sequence of backwash and/or a mechanical filter cleaning sequence where a filter cleaning motor unit (6) rotates the filter cleaning device (7) in the vessel. During backwash, the valve (8) directs the water to the waste water outlet (11). The filter unit allows to control the one or more auxiliary devices by the pond filter control unit (12), and to coordinate the control of the additional devices in relation to the control of the filter.

A fiber bundle for bearing microorganisms. Fiber filaments are wound into a ring shape or have two ends bound into a bundle, or wires, ropes or bands made of staple fibers or fiber filaments are wound into a ring shape or have two ends bound into a bundle or are woven into a strip. A filter layer formed by fiber bundles for bearing microorganisms is characterized in large specific surface area and high porosity, and the unit capacity of bearing the microorganisms may be several times that of a granular filter material.

Methods and apparatuses for overcoming biofilm diffusion in water treatment by the addition of the substrate flux within biofilm by advection or convection in order to overcome diffusional limitations.

A method of preparing a microorganisms-immobilized felt-based resin includes the following steps: providing a mixture of an acrylate monomer, an initiator, a solvent, and water; adding a felt to the mixture; initiating a polymerization reaction of the mixture to form a felt-based resin; and immobilizing microorganisms on the felt-based resin to form the microorganisms-immobilized felt-based resin.