Water Quality Improvement

kelly billing ~ design, supply, consulting ~ changing the way Water Becomes a Garden

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~ Streams

~ Circulation through plant roots

~Shoreline plantings

~Moats

~Floating Wetlands

~Bottom aeration

~Container filtration

~Combined practices

~Bacteria

~Nualgi, for all water bodies and turf, for more information contact me directly.

Pond Algae is nobody’s Friend! Superintendents and Pond Contractors find an eco-friendly solution without sacrificing quality!

“We applied Nualgi Lakes on our 6 lakes totaling 3.9 acres starting April 2017. Our application rate was 11 ounces per surface acre per 30 days. …In the previous years we have used a bacteria product…Our weather started with cold, wet and eventually turned to typical warm and dry. Our end of the season observations as compared to our previous year experience is that the algae was controlled slightly better, especially along the edges in the cattails and the water clarity seemed better than it was using bacteria . End costs were similar” Jon Heselwood, Superintendent Buffalo Hill Golf Course, Kalispell MT

“This is my 3 rd year using Nualgi Lakes at Lapis Road pond in Carlsbad CA. This pond is a part of a housing community surrounded by a walking trail and recreational areas. The community is very concerned with safety of products used in the pond as fish, birds, pets and kids can come in contact with the water. Nualgi has been a god send for me. As a pond contractor, I have been able to make my customers very happy and at the same time reduce my costs and maintenance time by as much as half. …..this 1.2-million-gallon pond has evolved to a point that it is now robust enough to better withstand weather events and the uncertain water quality from the city.” Shawn Ellison, San Diego Pond Builders, San Diego CA

“My water chemistry has improved greatly after Nualgi. I did have to spray for some floating algae to help, but only once. Water chemistry in this pond continues to be stable especially in the phosphate and ammonia categories . Carbonate Hardness is around 140-150 range. Clarity has improved. I stopped chemical use when we began using Nualgi” David Plamann, Pond Contractor, Lawrence KS Sep 5 Oct 12

Nualgi is a nano-scale liquid treatment that contains all 12-essential macro and micro nutrients + Silica for promoting the growth of Diatoms which outcompete nuisance algae for nutrients and increase oxygen in the water. Nualgi Lakes is easy to apply. 32oz treats 2 million gallons once a week to once a month depending on water quality. Nualgi is easy to apply, simply dilute the appropriate dose in a backpack sprayer and walk around the pond, squirting the product a few feet into the pond. Benefits reported by users include stoppage of bad odor, polished appearance of the water, more vibrant fish and other marine life, reduction in BOD, COD, Nitrates, Nitrites, Ammonia and Phosphates, reduced need for herbicides and elimination of algaecides. Nualgi is ideal for remediation of waters containing human, animal or agricultural waste

David Dore-Smith, Arron McCurdy, Brian Moore… 200 Courses are trialing Nualgi on their greens this year….Are you ready to order yours?

Copperleaf uses Tifeagle Bermudagrass for its 3 acres of greens and have been using Nualgi weekly since September of 2018. I have been extremely impressed so far with the color, consistency and overall health of our greens since starting with Nualgi. I have been able to reduce the rate of the foliar products that I have been using for many years without impacting our greens quality. Our use of fungicides has also been extremely low and only rely on preventative applications when needed. We did use check plots on several greens at various times and were able to notice an improvement in turf color and density from the Nualgi applied areas. Over the past month, we have been experiencing cold weather and overcast conditions which would typically cause our Ultradwarf bermudagrass to turn purple in color and lose vigor. I have not seen this response with the only change in products applied from last year to this year being the Nualgi. I would encourage all Superintendents to at least trial the product and make a determination for themselves. David Dore-Smith, Copperleaf GC, Bonita Springs FL

I used Nualgi all season and really liked the results and will be using as the staple of my fertility going forward. The density that I had on my greens was incredible and N use was nearly non-existent. We had less than 0.4lb N on Bent grass until aeration in September. Finished the year well under 1lb and you all know the course that I try to grow grass in. Color is subtle and results are more prevalent after several apps. I saw a real decrease in ABW activity were this product was used regularly. Arron McCurdy, Metedeconk National, NJ

The plant responded well to Nualgi, held good color and I honestly felt like I had found a great micronutrient package

Brian Moore, Glen View Club, Golf IL

Nualgi is a nano-scale liquid fertilizer that contains all 12-essential macro and micro nutrients on a nano silica base. It is sold in 16oz bottles. Each bottle treats 2.5 acres once every 10 days by simply adding it to your current regime in your spray tank. Nualgi can tank mix with any fertilizer, fungicide or nutrients. Benefits reported by users include improved root and turf density, better color response that lasts longer, lower usage of nitrogen, pesticides, fungicides and insecticides, better roll on the greens and wear resistance in high traffic areas.

Silica – The Hidden Cost of Chemicals

A major mineral is missing in many soils and most soil tests do not even monitor its presence. This mineral can increase stress resistance, boost photosynthesis and chlorophyll content, improve drought resistance, salt tolerance and soil fertility and prevent lodging. It can also reduce insect pressure, frost damage and destructive disease while lowering irrigation rates, neutralising heavy metal toxicity and countering the negative effects of excess sodium. If I were to tell you that this same missing mineral can increase root growth, boost yield and enhance crop quality, you could well ask, “how could we have overlooked something so important?” and you would be correct. It has been a serious oversight. The mineral in question is silicon , and science is rapidly revealing the scope and scale of our silicon neglect.

Poverty in a Sea of Abundance Silicon is not classed as an essential nutrient, but, in response to a wealth of new findings highlighting the importance of this nutrient, that status may soon change. Silicon is the second most abundant mineral on the planet. It is everywhere. Clays are alumina silicates and sand is largely silicon, so how could there be a shortage of silicon? The answer lies in the form of silicon that enters the plant. Plants uptake silicon as silicic acid and this is what is missing in the soil. Something we have done in conventional agriculture appears to have compromised the conversion of insoluble silicon into the plant available form. It may reflect a mineral imbalance, or we may have knocked out some of the soil microbe species that solubilize this mineral. It is not yet understood what drove the widespread deficiency, but we do know that a healthy, disease suppressive soil should contain 100 ppm of monosilicic acid (as measured in a soil analysis) and very few soils come anywhere near that mark!

Little was known about the multiple roles of silicon until recently. It was known to be present in every soil, but it was only when it became less plant available that it was realized that there may be a link between this loss and a host of growing problems. During the last decade, silicon seems to have become “flavour of the month” in the soil science community. Researchers have delved more deeply and hundreds of papers have been presented at the International Silicon Conferences in Brazil and South Africa. This neglected mineral is now emerging as a key player in proactive pest and disease management and the production of nutrient dense food. If you are not yet aware of the silicon story then this article should serve to fill some gaps.

Cell Strength is Resilience The cell wall in plants is a substantial barrier that must be breached to gain access to the goodies within. A fungal pathogen must drill through this wall with its hyphae to be able to tap into the nutritious cell center. Once this goal is achieved, the pest has the food source that sponsors its spread, and a disease is born. There is an obvious opportunity here to stop the pathogen in its tracks. What happens if we strengthen that cell wall so that the hyphae buckle? It’s simple – the disease cannot gain a foothold and will not spread. Similarly, why would a leaf eating insect choose to wear out his eating gear on silicon-strengthened rock cakes when it can go elsewhere for sponge?

Many published papers have now confirmed the exciting potential for increased disease and insect resistance through good silicon nutrition. In one paper presented at the South African conference, soluble silicon used as a soil drench had the equivalent inhibitory effect as phosphorus acid in the management of Phytopthora in avocados. However, the silicon-treated plants had much more vigorous roots and canopies. In another case, silicon was shown to offer effective management of dreaded black sigatoka in bananas. Other papers reported efficacy against brown rust in sugar cane, powdery mildew in cucurbits, Fusarium wilt in potatoes and leaf blast in rice.

Interestingly, the plant understands the protective potential of silicon, even if we don’t. When a disease begins, the plant directs all available silicon to the attack site to strengthen the surrounding cells and stop or slow the spread of the pathogen. There is a problem here, however, because silicon is immobile once incorporated into the cell wall. It must be in constant supply so that the plant can utilise it at these times. Most soils contain less than half of the soluble silicon required, so there can be significant benefits in foliar spraying silicon at the first sign of a disease. This can stop the spread of the disease and many growers are successfully using this strategy.

Silicon and Sun Power Photosynthesis is the most important process on the planet. The green plant is the only source of food and the management of chlorophyll, the green pigment where all the action happens, is the chief role of the farmer. Silicon is a gold sponsor of the sugar factories within the plant, as it supports this process in several ways. The leaf is essentially a solar panel, the underside of which

also serves to capture the CO 2 gas as it rises from the roots and soil life. The better that panel is

presented, the more efficient it will prove in capturing sunlight, water and CO 2 (the three components of photosynthesis). Silicon strengthens the stem and holds that panel in perfect position. The plant is less likely to droop in warm conditions and more likely to maximize photosynthesis.

Minerals are the major players in the photosynthesis equation. Blotches, stripes and pale colors, from shortages of minerals, represent the mismanagement of chlorophyll. Sometimes it’s not just the lack of these nutrients but their delivery into the crop that is the issue. Silicon can have a big impact upon mineral uptake . Phloem and xylem are the pathways that govern mineral absorption and the translocation of minerals within the plant. These nutrient highways are built from silicon and their performance will suffer in its absence.

Calcium is an example of a poorly translocated mineral that will be utilized more efficiently when the nutrient highways are broad and true. Boron is a calcium synergist, which can improve the performance of calcium, but it has recently been recognized that boron also boosts silicon uptake. Boron solubilizes insoluble silicon and it is a good idea to combine boron, calcium and silicon in your program to maximized the synergistic potential of the trio. One popular strategy involves the application of boron to the soil in late winter to trigger the release of silicon. The soluble silicon will be used to build the super highways that will improve the sluggish uptake of calcium (needed for cell division during the spring flush).

Silicon – The Stress Savior There are two types of stress that affect production negatively. Abiotic stress involves the negative impact of environmental factors upon living organisms and biotic stress is about pest pressure. Abiotic stress is the single most harmful factor impacting crop growth and productivity on the planet and it can only have more impact as global warming progresses. However, biotic stress is not far behind.

Every year since we began "the chemical experiment" in agriculture, there has been an increase in the total amount of chemicals applied on a global scale and every year there has also been a marked increase in pest pressure. The current path is not sustainable; in fact it is not working!

There is an obvious relationship between abiotic stress and biotic stress in that environmental factors will increase pest pressure. We are seeing this in all of the countries in which we work. Even in the local ginger industry, right on our doorstep, growers are experiencing Pythium pressure unlike anything they have previously experienced. This destructive fungus has found a new niche in the wettest growing season ever. This does not represent a deficiency of fungicides, but rather highlights the desperate need for a more holistic approach that will offer a greater level of inherent protection during times of stress.

Silicon can reduce the impact of both abiotic and biotic stressors and it represents an essential component of a program designed to create a disease-suppressive soil and stress-resistant plants. The stronger the cell wall, the more stress-resistant the plant, whether that stress is from pathogens or non-living factors.

Part of the climate change forecast is an increase in extreme weather events. Wind can be particularly destructive in that it can promote lodging, which can render the crop unharvestible. At the most recent silicon conference, Iranian researcher, A. Fallah, presented a paper reporting a reduction of silicon within the plant associated with high nitrogen usage. It is already understood that overapplication of nitrogen has a nutrient diluting effect and that the mineral most affected is potassium. Now we understand that mismanagement of nitrogen can also impact silicon nutrition and the associated protective effect of this mineral. In this instance, weaker stem strength and increased susceptibility to lodging were noted in the rice crop studied. Fallah reported much stronger stems and resistance to lodging in silicon treated crops.

One of the stressors that is becoming more of an issue in many soils is the oversupply of heavy metals, salts and some trace minerals. In all cases, silicon has been shown to mitigate the stress. Copper (Cu) can build up in the soil due to the overuse of fungicides. We have found humates a valuable tool to neutralise the negatives associated with this excess. Silica has been effective in mitigating the effect of a variety of heavy metals but recent US research suggests that silicon may be a viable management tool in high copper soils. J. Li, J. Frankz and S. Leisner working in flower crops in Ohio, found that silicon could very effectively mitigate Cu toxicity stress and the improvement was measured on multiple levels.

Swedish researchers working in cadmium contaminated soils found that the higher the silicon level in the plant, the lower the cadmium level. In fact, there was 60% less cadmium in the silica treated food grains.

In some exciting Russian research involving wheat, silica was shown to alleviate salt stress quite dramatically. Wheat is notoriously sensitive to high salinity and the salt created a major decrease in photosynthesis. The addition of silicon to the soil resulted in increases in photosynthesis ranging from 158% to 520% depending upon the salt concentration in the soil. This is one of several studies highlighting the silicon link to salt management. We always recommend the inclusion of small amounts of humic acid and potassium silicate with every irrigation, to manage saline irrigation water.

A South Australian study reported reduced drought stress and an associated reduction in pest pressure following silicon treatment. This study found that applied silicon mitigated the increased insect pressure that was a direct effect of high levels of nitrogen. Not only does high N shut down silica uptake but applied silica can also compensate for this nitrogen mismanagement.

Cold stress can even be addressed with silicon. South African scientists working with bananas have shown that silicon protected the plants from cold damage and that an associated increase in vigor decreased the banana’s susceptibility to Fusarium wilt.

This enhanced protection from disease has been well researched. A recent Japanese study entitled “Silicon in the Control of Diseases in Rice, Sorghum and Soybean”, found reductions in brown spot pressure that varied between 35% and 75% in rice studies. They found significant reductions in anthracnose in silicon-treated sorghum and the results were quite dramatic when foliar applying potassium silicate to manage soybean rust. They concluded their paper with the following words; “The results of these studies underscore the importance of Si to increase plant resistance to foliar disease”.

This increase in disease resistance was originally thought to be related to the “barrier effect” linked to increased cell strength, but it is now understood to be also related to increased plant immunity.

Silicon-Based Immunity One of the most dynamic research streams in agricultural science relates to the investigation of plant immunity and the triggers that activates the plant to fight its own battles. It is now understood that the plant has an immune system, which can be both monitored and magnified. Salicylic acid, for example, the biochemical upon which aspirin is based, activates the plant’s immune system . Aloe vera is the richest natural source of this compound and many of our growers benefit from the inclusion of this plant extract in their programs.

Recently, silicon has been found to trigger the production of a suite of compounds that fuel immunity. This mineral is now seen as an integral tool in proactive pest management as it offers both protective cell strength while also fueling a robust defense system.

Phenolic compounds are one of the biochemicals that are part of this defense system and these compounds are now recognized as key players in the protection of avocado trees from Phytopthora cinnamoni . T.F Bekker, et al, from the University of Pretoria, conducted research which demonstrated that soil applications of potassium silicate to soils affected by this disease increased the total phenolic content of the avocado root tissue.

It is interesting to note that this silicon-based immune response is most pronounced when there is existing disease pressure. It is almost like the plant calls in the heavy artillery when the going gets tough! A Canadian paper presented at the South African conference involved the study of 30,000 genes. The researchers reported that unstressed plants appeared to be minimally affected by silicon feeding with the associated-up regulating of only two genes. (Note: upregulation is the process by which a cell increases the quantity of a cellular component such as RNA or protein in response to an external variable.) However, in stressed plants (affected by powdery mildew) there was an upregulation of a number of genes. A Spanish paper also covered the Powdery Mildew control potential of silicon and they found that the inclusion of amino acids with the silicon fertilizer enhanced the response.

Russian researchers have hypothesized that the plant immune system requires mobile silica compounds and if there is luxury levels of silica available to the plant there will be additional synthesis of stress protection molecules. A co-operative research effort between American and Japanese scientists showed that silica related resistance involves multiple pathways and that silica amendment clearly alters plant defense signaling, increasing the plant’s disease resistance.

But There’s More Not only does silicon offer increased pest and stress resistance. It can also provide a major fertilising response and substantial yield increases . In a paper by J. Bernal, involving research with rice and sugarcane in Columbia, just 100 – 200 kg of magnesium silicate per hectare achieved yield increases of 14.63% in sugarcane and the increases in rice ranged from 21% to 33% (depending upon the application rate). Iranian research with rice mirrored the South American findings, but in this case, the yield increase was 22% after applications of 500 kg of silicon. Rice and sugarcane have been most researched, as they are recognized silicon accumulators. In fact, rice has the highest levels of silicon of any crop. However, we have found that most crops respond to silica and research is now quantifying our in field experience. Brazilian researchers trialed six different application rates of potassium silicate on potatoes and found that the 1% rate was most effective. In fact, 6 liters of potassium silicate in 600 liters of water, sprayed each week during the crop cycle, produced an impressive yield increase of 22.4% .

Australian, M. Lynch, a champion of silica fertilizers for over a decade, presented a paper at the SA conference where he suggests that silica fertilizers have consistently outperformed high analysis fertilizers in cereal production. This has included increased protein levels, increased yields, decreased screenings and increased grains/heads. He contends that silica fertilized grapes have superior skin quality, higher brix values, uniform bunch size and a virtual absence of fungal diseases.

At NTS, we have often found unexpected benefits when including silicon in programs. An avocado grower from North Queensland found that he no longer lost up to 15% of his crop to wind abrasion. The increased skin strength created fruit that did not mark when the fruit rubbed against the branches in windy conditions. Golf courses often report that the greens are wearing better following applications of liquid, micronized diatomaceous earth (a rich silicon source).

Silicon and You If plants respond so favorably to silicon, what about humans? One could assume that if most plants are silica deficient then most people would also suffer from a shortage of this mineral. The Japanese Government has certainly recognized this problem and have strongly encouraged the use of soluble silica on rice crops.

H. M. Laane from the Netherlands presented a research summary of human health research into silicon. The human body contains 7 grams of silicon, which is more than all the other trace minerals put together. High levels of this mineral are deposited in bones, nails, tendons and the walls of the aorta and substantial amounts are found in the kidneys, liver and lungs. Silica interreacts with several minerals but important research has highlighted the use of silicon as a means of inhibiting aluminum toxicity. Aluminum has been strongly implicated in the plague of Alzheimers disease which now sees 1 in 4 Westerners over 65 succumb to this disease.

Silicon is also a calcium synergist and should be included in all good calcium supplements. Laane concluded that dietary levels in Western diets are too low and there is a coincidence with increased skin, hair and nail problems, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease. There are also obvious benefits in silicon-strengthened arteries.

Fertilizer Sources of Silicon Silica fertilizers are available in liquid and solid form and the liquids offer the most rapid response. Silicon is found in good levels in rock mineral fertilizers and in rock phosphate and guano products. However, this is not the plant available form of the mineral and, depending on the particle size, it may take many years for the mineral to become available. This is not the case if the fertilizer is a calcium silicate or magnesium silicate but you need to ask about the solubility of any silica fertilizer you may be considering. This is also not the case if these materials are micronized .

Diatomaceous earth in the amorphous form is a very rich source of insoluble silica. The material is basically the exoskeletons of tiny prehistoric creatures called diatoms. These remains contain up to 85% silica dioxide and the silica shell is sharp and jagged under a microscope, almost like a broken razor blade. Diatomaceous earth has been used as a natural insecticide for decades, as the jagged, little razor blades can cut up the offending insect’s exoskeleton causing the creature to dehydrate and die. This material is also used internally as a natural means to control intestinal parasites. The rich silica lode from diatomaceous earth can be made plant-available by micronizing the material right down to a tiny particle size of 5 microns. It can then be held in a liquid suspension and applied via boom spray or fertigation. As little as 5 liters of liquid micronized diatomaceous earth per hectare, applied through fertigation on a regular basis, can lift leaf levels of silica into the luxury zone, with all of the associated benefits.

Potassium silicate is a good soluble form of silica, but it is not compatible with many other fertilizers and must often be applied as a standalone. One way out of this limitation is to use a pre-formulated potassium silicate-based fertilizer which includes other synergists.

In Conclusion Proactivity is the essence of the biological approach. If you understand how plants protect themselves, then you provide the necessary components to maximize that process and minimize the need for chemical intervention. In this context, silicon is an essential pre-requisite for proactive pest and stress management and should be an integral part of every good nutrition program.

Graeme Sait

Author of hundreds of articles and a popular book, 'Nutrition Rules!'. Travels the world educating and inspiring growers and often consults at a government level. CEO of Nutri-Tech Solutions (NTS).

Australia http://www.nutri-tech.com.au

Changes in Diatom density and diversity before and after treatment of Laksar drain, using

Nano technology based bioremediation and its implications to changes in Water Quality.

Nualgi Nano Biotech and JS Water Energy Life have been assigned to carry out a pilot trial for

Bio Remediation of the 16 km long, 193 MLD Laksar Drain. The drain carries 70% of organic pollution in West Uttarakhand. Specifically the drain runs through a large sugar mill and distillery during its course. The drain discharges into BanGanga which merges with Ganga downstream.

The domestic effluents from the Laksar town and many riparian villages also flow into the drain.

Numerous small scale jaggery units also discharge their effluents into the drain.

Industrialization and urbanization contribute to freshwater ecosystem degradation worldwide.

Urban watercourses may suffer from elevated and fluctuating concentrations of nutrients and various contaminants causing changes in species assemblage composition, with increases in the number and abundance of pollution-tolerant species. The aquatic biota, however, responds in a complex and dynamic manner to cumulative effects of various anthropogenic disturbances, and thus provides an integrated picture of the biological health of an ecosystem. Bioindicators therefore represent a crucial component for assessing overall ecological health and are a valuable complement to traditional physico-chemical measurements. Diatom algae have been extensively included in water quality assessment for monitoring the biological integrity of lotic ecosystems under various stresses such as eutrophication, salinization, as well as metal and organic contamination. Diatoms are a group of algae exhibiting a large diversity in terms of taxonomy, morphology and ecology, and are present in most aquatic and humid environments. Diatoms have specific degrees of tolerance to environmental variables and have a rapid reproduction rate, which are among the characteristics making them excellent indicators of water quality. Subtle changes in environmental conditions may cause a shift in assemblage structure; sensitive diatoms decrease in abundance, while tolerant species increase. The analysis of the diatom assemblage structure and species allows for the characterization of changes in environmental conditions and health status in a system. Diatom algae not only act as indicators but they also play crucial role in mitigation of pollution by removing excess nutrients and elevating dissolved oxygen levels through photosynthesis. The technology used in the present project is based on a combination of diatom algae and bacteria symbiosis to bring about a change in water quality. In the present report we analyzed the changes in diatom density and diversity during treatment.

Methods

Benthic diatom sampling and analysis

Benthic diatom assemblages were collected before and after treatment from hard surfaces (Stones, cobbles and concrete walls) and transported to lab. In lab using a new toothbrush each substrate sample was scrubbed and washed using river water in to a plastic tray, three samples from each site were collected and pooled together to obtain a composite sample. The collected material was placed in a plastic bottle with 5 ml of river water and analyzed within one week. Fresh samples were analyzed under a light microscope at 450× and 100× magnification (Zeiss, Axioskop 2, equipped with a Nikon camera) for live diatom observation. All diatom cells were counted to estimate densities using haemocytometer at 450 × magnification.

Clean diatom frustules were also examined after digesting cell content to facilitate taxonomical identification. Permanent slides were mounted in naphrax mounting medium for microscopic examination. Diatoms were counted and identified using images from Algaebase, Algal image database of India (AIDI), Monographs on diatoms by Patrick and Reimer and a manual on stream periphyton by Biggs and Kilroy. A total of 500 valves per sample were enumerated. Principal component analyses were conducted to explore effect of treatment in terms of change in water quality based diatom species assemblages. Only the species present at a relative abundance of ≥1% were included in the PCA. Ordinations were performed with the software

PAST3.

Results

Changes in diatom diversity at genus level were studied before and after treatment (Table.1). A total of 108 species was observed of which before treatment there were 70 species and after treatment 78 species. Majority of the species reported before treatment were known indicators of eutrophic to hyper eutrophic conditions according to tropic state index of Van Dam (1994). The species diversity after treatment indicated a change in water quality to mesotrophic to meso- eutrophic condition. We have analyzed the diatom assemblage data using PCA plot (Figure.1) which clearly grouped pollution tolerant species dominance before treatment and pollution sensitive species after treatment. There is a two fold increase in total diatom density after treatment (23.5 cm2 x 104 cells- before treatment 58.6 cm2 x 104 cells – after treatment) which indicates that there is a positive effect due to nano nutrient treatment in increasing beneficial diatom concentration.

Table.1. List of diatom species before and after treatment and their pollution indicator status.

Code€ Diatom genus nomenclature Before¥ After¥ Indicator

AMIN‡ Achnanthes minutissima Kutz. - +++ S

ACEX Achnanthes exigua Grun. ++ + T

ACSP Achnanthidium sp. - + S

AAMB Aulacoseira ambigua (Grunow) Simonsen ++ + T AGVC Aulacoseira granulata (Ehr.) Simonsen var.valida - +++ S f.curvata (Hustedt) Simonsen

AOLI Amphora ovalis Kützing var.libyca (Ehr.)Cleve ++ - T

AOVA Amphora ovalis (Kützing) Kützing. +++ - T

ACDU Amphora coffeaeformis (Agardh)Kütz. + - T var.dubiosa(Oestrup) Woodhead et Tweed

ACOP Amphora copulata (Kütz) Schoeman & Archibald + - T

APED Amphora pediculus (Kützing) Grunow - + S

ATER Amphora terroris Ehrenberg + - T

AVEN Amphora veneta Kützing +++ + T

ANSP Anomeoneis sphaerophora Pfitzer + + T

CSIL Caloneis silicula (Ehrenberg) Cleve - + S

CPED Cocconeis pediculus Ehrenberg +++ - T

CPLA Cocconeis placentula Ehrenberg var. placentula +++ - T

CRAC Craticula accomoda (Hustedt) D.G. Mann in Round +++ - T et al.

CAMB Craticula ambigua (Ehrenberg) Mann ++ - T

CMTG Cyclotella meneghiniana Kützing f. anormale +++ - T

CBOD Cyclotella bodanica Eulenstein ex Grunow in + +++ S Schneider var. bodanica

CCMP Cymbella compacta Østrup ++ + T

CHAN Cymbella hantzschiana Krammer - + S

CPRX Cymbella proxima Reimer in Patrick & Reimer - + S

CTBO Cymbella tumida (Brebisson)Van Heurck - ++ S var.borealis(Grunow) Cleve

CMPG Cymbella minuta Hilse ex Rabenhorst - + S var.pseudogracilis(Cholnoky) Reimer DPAR Diploneis parma Cleve sensu Krammer & Lange- - + S Bertalot

DPCO Diploneis papula (Schmidt in Schmidt & al.) Cleve - + S var. constricta Hustedt

DCRS Diadesmis confervacea Kützing f.rostrata (Krasske) + ++ T Metzeltin & Lange-Bertalot

DBAL Diatomella balfouriana Greville - + S

ETAN Eolimna tantula (Hustedt) Lange-Bertalot ++ + T

ESBT Eolimna subminuscula (Mang.) Moser Lange- + + T Bertalot & Metzeltin f. anormale

EAAL Epithemia argus (Ehrenberg) Kützing var.alpestris + ++ S (W.M.Smith) Grunow

EZEB Epithemia zebra (Ehrenberg) Kützing ++ + T

EUAM Eunotia amphioxys Ehr. - ++ S

EUTR Eunotia tschirchiana O.Müller - + S

EMLI Eunotia major (W.Smith) Rabenhorst var. linearis - + S Cleve-Euler

EACP Encyonema acquapurae Wengrat, Marquardt & - + S C.E. Wetzel

EPRG Encyonema pergracile Krammer - + S

FBIG Frankophila biggsii Lowe Morales & Kilroy - + S

FARC Fragilaria arcus (Ehrenberg) Cleve - + S

FCAP Fragilaria capucina Desmazieres - +++ S

FVUL Frustulia vulgaris (Thwaites) De Toni ++ + T

FSAP Fistulifera saprophila (Lange-Bertalot & Bonik) ++ + T Lange-Bertalot

GACU Gomphonema acuminatum Ehrenberg ++ + T GAAE Gomphonema angustatum (Kützing) Rabenhorst - ++ S var.aequalis (Gregory) Cleve

GCLE Gomphonema clevei Fricke + + T

GODH Gomphonema dharwarensis Gandhi + + S

GPAR Gomphonema parvulum (Kützing) Kützing +++ - T

GGRA Gomphonema gracile Ehrenberg + ++ S

GICU Gomphonema intricatum Kützing var. curvatum - + S Skvortzow

GLGN Gomphonema lagenula Kützing + ++ S

GHLO Gomphoneis herculeana (Ehrenberg) Cleve - + S var.loweii Kociolek & Stoermer

GOBK Gomphonema olivaceum (Lyngbye) Kützing var. ++ - T baikalensis Skvortzow

GLAM Gomphonema lanceolatum Ehrenberg var. + ++ S amuricum Skvortzow

GMAC Gomphonema montanum Schumann var.acuminata + - T (Peragallo et Heribaud) Mayer

GSAP Gomphonema subapicatum Fritsch & Rich + - T

GSCL Gomphonema subclavatum (Grunow) Grunow + ++ S

GOTR Gomphonema tropicale Brun - + S

GATS Gyrosigma attenuatum (Kützing) Rabenhorst var. + ++ S tientsinensis (Skvortzow)Skvortzow

GYFE Gyrosigma fenestriata F. Meister - + S

GSCA Gyrosigma scalproides (Rabenhorst)Cleve - + S

HTUR Halamphora turgida (Gregory) Levkov - + S

MGRA Melosira granulata (Ehr.) Ralfs in Pritchard ++ + T

MVAR Melosira varians Agardh +++ + T NLAN Navicula lanceolata (Agardh) Ehrenberg +++ + T

NCTM Navicula cryptocephala Kützing var.intermedia ++ + T Grunow in Van Heurck

NAMI Navicula microcephala Grun. + - T

NGRE Navicula gregaria Donkin ++ + T

NVEN Navicula veneta Kützing +++ - T

NVIR Navicula viridula (Kützing) Ehrenberg ++ + T

NOPU Navicula oppugnata Hustedt + + T

NAAN Navicula antoni Lange-Bert. + + T

NMTO Navicula minima var. atomoides (Grunow in Van ++ + T Heurck) Cleve

NAGE Navicula geoppertiana Bleisch. ++ - T

NRGE Navicula rhynchocephala Kützing var.germainii + - T Wallace

NRCS Navicula recens (Lange-Bertalot) Lange-Bertalot. ++ - T

NCUS Navicula cuspidata Kützing ++ + T

NAFB Neidium affine(Ehrenberg)Pfitzer var.bonsaensis - + S Foged

NEAM Neidium ampliatum (Ehrenberg) Krammer in - + S Krammer & Lange-Bertalot

NACI Nitzschia acicularis Kützing) W.M.Smith - + S

NIAR Nitzschia archibaldii Lange-Bertalot ++ - T

NCPL Nitzschia capitellata Hustedt in A.Schmidt & al. +++ - T

NICO Nitzschia commutata Grunow in Cleve et Grunow +++ - T

NFOM Nitzschia fonticola Grunow f.minutissima Compère ++ + T

NGMN Nitzschia gracilis Hantzsch var. minuta Skvortzow + + T NUMB Nitzschia umbonata(Ehrenberg)Lange-Bertalot +++ - T

NDIS Nitzschia dissipata (Kützing) Grunow ssp.dissipata ++ - T

NFBU Nitzschia frustulum (Kütz.)Grunow ++ - T var.bulnheimiana (Rabh.)Grunow

NAFR Nitzschia amphibia Grunow f.frauenfeldii(Grunow) +++ - T Lange-Bertalot

NPAL Nitzschia palea (Kützing) W.Smith +++ - T

NIPU Nitzschia pusilla (Kützing) Grunow emend Lange- + + T Bertalot

NIRH Nitzschia rhynchotella Lange-Bert + + T

NISP Nitzschia sp. ++ - T

NITO Nitzschia torta Gandhi - ++ S

PBIC Pinnularia biceps Gregory - + S

PGIB Pinnularia gibba Ehrenberg - + S

PMAJ Pinnularia major (Kützing) Rabenhorst ++ + T

PLCM Planothidium lanceolatum (Brébisson) Round et +++ - T Bukhtiyarova

RHPA Rhopalodia gibba (Ehrenberg) O.Müller - + S var.parallela (Grunow) Peragallo & Peragallo

SEPE Sellaphora pupula Kützing var.elliptica (Hustedt) ++ + T Bukhtiyarova

SAHY Stauroneis anceps Ehrenberg var.hyalina - ++ S M.Peragallo & Brun in Heribaud

SGRL Stauroneis gracilior Reichardt. - ++ S

STCO Stauroneis constricta (Ehr. W.Sm.) Cleve + + T

SGRC Stauroneis gracilis Ehrenberg - ++ S

STHE Stauroneis thermicola (Boye-Petersen) Lund - ++ S SARA Synedra acus Kützing var.radians(Kützing)Hustedt + ++ S

SULN Synedra ulna (Nitzsch.)Ehr. +++ - T

SLHE Surirella linearis W.M.Smith var.helvetica (Brun) - ++ S Meister

Total number of species 70 78

Diatom density (cm2 x 104 cells) 23.5 58.6

_ not found

+ Present

++ Abundant

+++ Dominant

T Pollution tolerant

S Pollution sensitive

¥Before and after treatment

‡Codes in bold indicate dominant species selected for PCA analysis

€Code according to OMNIDIA 6.0.6

Figure.1. PCA biplot showing changes in dominant diatom species diversity before and after treatment. Majority of the species before treatment (grouped in red circle) are known polution tolerant species which prefer high COD, BOD, inorganic nutrients, heavy metals etc. were as the after treatment (grouped in green circle) species diveristy changed to pollution sensitive species. This indicates the shift in water quilaity from hyper eutrophic to meso-eutrophic.

Laksar Drain Diatom Sampling Results

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and State Program Management Group (SPMG)

Government of India and Government of Uttarakhand

Summary of Actions and Results on Laksar Drain Remediation by Nualgi Nanobiotech

Chronology of Events

• 08 August 2018 - Received Work Order for commencement of pilot trial on Laksar Drain.

Laksar Drain is 16km long drain flowing downstream from Laksar village to Chakeri where it meets Ban Ganga. Flow volume of the drain is 193 Million Liters per day (MLD).

• 09 August 2018 - Resource Mobilisation Plan and Bio Remediation Strategy presented to NMCG. • 12 September 2018 - Commenced mobilization of men and material to Laksar office. The aim was to commence operations by 20 September 2018 after sampling by Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IITR) between 15 & 19 September. • 12- 19 September 2018 - Set up local office, accommodation, transport and surveyed the drain. • 20 Sep 2018 –Mapping of Wastewater Drains merging into Laksar Drain. • 05 October 2018 – Joint NMCG and SPMG team briefed • 10 October 2018 – SPMG team visits Laksar drain • 11 October 2018 - Water literacy outreach to schools in Laksar and nearby villages.

• 12 October - 02 Nov 2018-Removal of aggregated solid waste and removal of weeds and plants from Laksar drain.

• 29 October 2018 - Commencement of sampling by IITR at Laksar drain from 2 points (i.e. Laksar bazaar and Podowali). Continued for 5 days till 02 Nov 2018. • 03 November 2018 - Commenced dosing of Nualgi and Microbial formulations. • 15 th November 2018 – First post-treatment sample collection by NABL Lab and IIT Roorkee personnel after 12 days of treatment. • 7th December 2018 – Meeting held with SPMG Officials at Laksar. • 8th December 2018 – Distillery Effluents discharged from Sugar Mill using tankers directly into Drain at Laksar Bazaar due to which DO, BOD, COD were adversely affected. This matter reported to SPMG • 18 th December- 200,000 liters distillery effluents were discharged in the drain due to which color of water changed to coffee color and DO dropped to 1mg/l from 6mg/l. It was reported to SPMG. Dosing was doubled to neutralize the effects of Distillery effluents.

Description of the Laksar Drain and Nualgi Treatment Laksar drain originates in Laksar, a small village located 35 km towards southwest from Haridwar district, Uttarakhand, India. The source of Laksar drain starts from main bazaar located towards east from Laksar junction and runs through a sugar mill, villages and farm lands to meet JK tyre drain (located towards west from Laksar junction) at Bijopura, and on its way many minor drains from nearby villages join Laksar drain, then drain travels towards southwest to meet Banganga near Chakeri, which further flows downstream to meet Ganga at Bijnor

14 drains were identified in Uttarakhand discharging 440 MLD domestic as well as industrial wastewater directly/indirectly to River Ganga. Rambha nadi/drain (152 MLD) and Laksar drain (193 MLD) are two major drains which contribute 80% of total wastewater discharge directly or indirectly to river Ganga. Total BOD load from 14 drains was 42800 kg/day of which Laksar Drain alone is more than 35,000kg/day.

Pre-Treatment - Start Point of Laksar Drain – Laksar Pre-Treatment - End Point of Laksar Drain – Podowali Bazar

Nualgi along with bacteria was dosed for 30 days continuously from start to end point covering the whole drain. Flow measurements were also taken by velocity meter at Podowali each day. Along with flow DO and TDS were also measured each day at the starting and end point.

Total Material and Resources Deployed for 30 days

a. Nualgi- 1050 liters. b. Bacteria- 280kg c. Labour- 810 Man hours d. Tractors-10, Rollers- 2 and JCBs-5, Iron Mesh- 2

Post-Treatment – Start Point Laksar Bazar Post-Treatment – End Point Podowali

Following table shows Post treatment measurements at end point (Podowali)

Date BOD COD TSS pH value Fecal Colliform

(mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mpn/100ml)

15/11/2018 3.9 24.7 13.0 7.20 430

22/11/2018 2.9 22.2 6 7.12 215

29/11/2018 2.8 19.8 4 7.10 118

12/12/2018 2.71 8.4 1.9 8.0 296

21/12/2018 1.9 8.4 7.0 7.54 0

28/12/2018 39.9 159.6 15.0 7.81 220

Summary Results based on average of 5 pre-treatment and 5-post treatment measurements at end point (Podowali).

Parameters Outflow values Outflow values Outflow values after Remarks acceptable per work before treatment by treatment order Nualgi

BOD <=30 mg/l or 40% 61.3mg/l 9.0 mg/l 85% decrease reduction on BOD load in BOD levels. from the initial reading.

COD <=150 mg/l or 40% 380mg/l 40.5 mg/l 90% decrease reduction on COD load in COD levels. from the initial reading.

TSS <=100 mg/l or 40% 242mg/l 7.8 mg/l 97% decrease reduction on TSS load in TSS. from the initial reading.

DO >= 5 mg/l 1.2mg/l 6.0 mg/l 500% increase in DO levels.

pH 6.5 to 9.0 7.7 7.72 Maintained pH levels.

Conclusion: Nualgi treatment with beneficial bacteria has met all of the benchmarks laid down by NMCG and accordingly, the 1-month treatment contract has been extended to 12 months. Nualgi is now bidding on multiple river treatment projects in India.

kelly billing ~ design, supply, consulting ~ changing the way Water Becomes a Garden

443.504.2345 [email protected]

The Nualgi product line is founded on empowering nature to improve water quality and improve plant growth; basically, divided into two categories.

Water quality –

Nualgi is a patented liquid formulation which is dosed into ponds once a week. It is effective within hours of dosing. Nualgi contains nano-scale micronutrients (5-100nm) required for multiplication of the ubiquitous and beneficial diatoms in any water body. Nualgi contains Si, Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, B, S, Mo, P,K and Co.

Nualgi causes a controlled and sustainable growth of beneficial diatoms. Diatoms are special types of algae that live inside 'glass houses' - they have hard outer shells made of silicon and oxygen, the same elements that make up glass. These outer casings are made of two half cylinders that fit together like a jewelry box.

Inside this shell is a single celled organism that photosynthesizes, releasing Oxygen. The Oxygen is used by aerobic bacteria to break down organic matter. Higher DO levels result in tangible changes like cleaner water, reduction in BOD, lower coliform levels, elimination of foul odor, reduction in mosquito colonies in water and healthier aquatic life. Nualgi eliminates the use of UV filters thus saving costs. It is also a substitute for other algae control products and water clarifiers.

Plant health –

A balanced, nanoscale foliar fertilizer designed to increase the overall growth and health of plants. The unique formula contains silica as well as 12 other nutrients to maximize results in plants in exterior or interior growing conditions including food crops. It is a safe non-toxic formula that is derived from naturally occurring minerals and can be used as a seed treatment in addition to its primary function as a foliar spray. You will see a difference in quality, size and health of your pants in no time when you begin using it. Hobbyists, large growing operations and golf courses have had well documented positive results. Grow more with less.

Whether setting up a quarantine tank, maintaining any water body containing fish or working in fish aquaculture it is important to understand the benefits of sustaining diatom growth. Diatoms are beneficial for several reasons. They increase oxygen levels, supercharge the nitrogen cycle (as well as sustain it), keep nitrates, nitrites and ammonia within acceptable levels, improve the overall balance and outcompete nuisance algae. Improved water quality promotes plant health and lowers incidence of disease and parasites in both fish and plants. Perhaps most importantly diatoms provide a critically necessary and missing link in the ecosystem food chain. Diatoms are consumed by zooplankton and zooplankton by fish. Nualgi is a product designed to effectively initiate and sustain healthy diatom levels within a given system. The nanoscale nutrients are critical to a healthy ecosystem especially in waterbodies that are compromised by degraded imbalances or in instances where fish health can be affected by a stressful environment. It is repair and maintenance from the bottom up!

Want to learn more?

Contact me and we can discuss which Nualgi product is best for you.

Kelly [email protected] 443.504.2345