16
A. A. Inyinbor et al.
Phytoplankton bloom is one way in which nutrients negatively affects water
bodies. This renders water unfit as it causes turbidity, lack of transparency, large
thick scum spread on the water surface, and releases toxins into the water. All
of these threaten water quality as well as a public health [12]. Phytoplankton is
known to release biotoxins into the water while its high reproduction causes serious
algae bloom. The negative impact of algae bloom includes huge dissolved oxygen
consumption, hence choking and deaths of aquatic organisms [13]. Algae bloom also
threats freshwater availability due to unpleasant color and odors impacted on water
bodies [12]. Removal of nutrients is therefore expedient to ensure water safety and
security.
Many techniques of nutrients control cum algae bloom control have been in practice. A seaweed whose growth thrives on nutrients and sunlight competes with algae
and phytoplankton for their basic growth needs, hence an effective control measure
for algae bloom cum nutrients removal. In addition, seaweeds also have the tendency
to release algae growth-inhibiting chemicals as well as shield off sunlight from
algae and phytoplankton thus controlling their growth [14]. Algae bloom may be
controlled via certain physical and chemical parameters, such as pH and temperature
control, transparency and illumination control as well as nutrients control. Natural
occurrences including turbulence [15] and climate change [16], as well as the deliberate diversion of water [17] amongst others, serve as control measures for an algae
bloom. While removal of nutrient from water is found economically unfriendly,
phytoremediation serves as a cheap emerging alternative [18].
2.2 Inorganic Pollutants: The Heavy Metal Menace
Inorganic pollutant types are wide, which range from acids through bases and to
heavy metals. They also include oxyanions, halides, cations as well as radioactive
materials, some of which occur in natural water in low concentration. However,
various anthropogenic activities have left water bodies with a high concentration of
inorganic pollutants [19]. Nutrients which have been detailed in Sect. 2.1 are also
generally grouped with inorganic pollutants. In this section, we will focus on heavy
metal as inorganic pollutant representative.
Heavy metals have become a global challenge as it threatens all components
of the environment. Although the minute concentration of heavy metals exists in
the natural environment, various metal-based industries, as well as metal utilizing
activities, have continued to increase heavy metal concentration in the environment
[20]. Here, we make a study around some heavy metals that are also classed priority
pollutants, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury.
(a) Arsenic
Arsenic which is commonly found associated with ores becomes a great challenge to
the water environment globally [21]. Arsenic which is grouped as a class 1 carcinogen
A. A. Inyinbor et al.
Phytoplankton bloom is one way in which nutrients negatively affects water
bodies. This renders water unfit as it causes turbidity, lack of transparency, large
thick scum spread on the water surface, and releases toxins into the water. All
of these threaten water quality as well as a public health [12]. Phytoplankton is
known to release biotoxins into the water while its high reproduction causes serious
algae bloom. The negative impact of algae bloom includes huge dissolved oxygen
consumption, hence choking and deaths of aquatic organisms [13]. Algae bloom also
threats freshwater availability due to unpleasant color and odors impacted on water
bodies [12]. Removal of nutrients is therefore expedient to ensure water safety and
security.
Many techniques of nutrients control cum algae bloom control have been in practice. A seaweed whose growth thrives on nutrients and sunlight competes with algae
and phytoplankton for their basic growth needs, hence an effective control measure
for algae bloom cum nutrients removal. In addition, seaweeds also have the tendency
to release algae growth-inhibiting chemicals as well as shield off sunlight from
algae and phytoplankton thus controlling their growth [14]. Algae bloom may be
controlled via certain physical and chemical parameters, such as pH and temperature
control, transparency and illumination control as well as nutrients control. Natural
occurrences including turbulence [15] and climate change [16], as well as the deliberate diversion of water [17] amongst others, serve as control measures for an algae
bloom. While removal of nutrient from water is found economically unfriendly,
phytoremediation serves as a cheap emerging alternative [18].
2.2 Inorganic Pollutants: The Heavy Metal Menace
Inorganic pollutant types are wide, which range from acids through bases and to
heavy metals. They also include oxyanions, halides, cations as well as radioactive
materials, some of which occur in natural water in low concentration. However,
various anthropogenic activities have left water bodies with a high concentration of
inorganic pollutants [19]. Nutrients which have been detailed in Sect. 2.1 are also
generally grouped with inorganic pollutants. In this section, we will focus on heavy
metal as inorganic pollutant representative.
Heavy metals have become a global challenge as it threatens all components
of the environment. Although the minute concentration of heavy metals exists in
the natural environment, various metal-based industries, as well as metal utilizing
activities, have continued to increase heavy metal concentration in the environment
[20]. Here, we make a study around some heavy metals that are also classed priority
pollutants, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury.
(a) Arsenic
Arsenic which is commonly found associated with ores becomes a great challenge to
the water environment globally [21]. Arsenic which is grouped as a class 1 carcinogen