The Effect Of Bio-Domes And Bio-Shells On Algae

In most wastewater lagoons, because of the long retention times, and relative quiescent nature of the water body, it is very common for these systems to experience significant algae blooms during the summer months that can cause permit violations, as well as contribute to eutrophication in the lagoon’s receiving water body. This problem only becomes worse in southern / warmer climates.

In 2002 Dr. Kraig Johnson began the research that would ultimately lead to the invention of the device now known as a Bio-Dome. While the original intent of his research was to create a product capable of providing year round nitrification in a wastewater lagoon, WCS soon started to see additional and unexpected benefits to TSS levels in all our installations and pilot studies. From the time of WCS’s first installation in 2008 we have monitored the TSS levels of all our projects and have a growing body of evidence that proves that both the Bio- Domes and Bio-Shells show a remarkable impact in reducing the concentrations of single cellular algae in wastewater lagoons.

Both the Bio-Domes and the Bio-Shells are submerged, aerated, fixed film, bio-reactor technologies that rely on high surface area to volume media to propagate the growth of bacteria inside each unit for the purposes of providing accelerated treatment within a wastewater lagoon environment. Below is a cross section diagram of the WCS Bio-Domes.