Yup, it's Friday. Time for a new Science Friday video. Today:

Science FridayCourtesy Science Friday
"The New York Department of Environmental Protection installed a prototype "algal turf scrubber" at once of its wastewater treatment plants in Queens. The scrubber--two 350-foot metal ramps coated with algae that grows naturally--is designed to use algae to remove nutrients and boost dissolved oxygen in the water that passes through it. John McLaughlin, Director of Ecological Services for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and Peter May, restoration ecologist for Biohabitats, explain how the scrubber works, and where the harvested algae goes."
ok i think that people should have a wastewater treatment plant, because contaminated water is so not cool!!!!!!!!!
Having grown up in the area, I'm very familiar with the green algae growth faciltiies in Central Wisconsin, otherwise known as Petenwell Lake and Castle Rock Lake. So I found this video clip to be particularly interesting - they're using green algae to remove phosphorous. It makes sense to me - the phosphorous is used by the algae, which uses it as a nutrient to grow. The effluent water is then more phosphorous-free, and you remove the algae as it grows too big. That's my take on it anyway - watch the video and see what you think.
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