Development of a functional mortar for restraining attached algae growth

Title: Development of a functional mortar for restraining attached algae growth
Author(s): S. Park, J-H. Kim, H. Kang, S. Y. Choi and Y. M. Lim
Paper category : conference
Book title: International RILEM Conference on Advances in Construction Materials Through Science and Engineering
Editor(s): Christopher Leung and K.T. WAN
ISBN: 978-2-35158-116-2
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-117-9
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2011
Pages: 893 - 898
Total Pages: 6
Nb references: 6
Language: English

Abstract: One of the problems that are involved in the maintenance of concrete or mortar in aquatic habitat is proliferation of algae on the surface of them. Their growth may decrease durability of structure by bio-deterioration. In this study, we developed a functional mortar for restraining bio-deterioration by using heavy metal ions, especially Cu2+. The mortar contains soluble glass made of Cu ions, which can dissolve in water slowly. Mortars prepared with different content of glass (0, 2, 5, 10, 15 %) were placed in culture medium with algae and incubated over a month period. Water chemistry, chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), and a suite of extracellular enzyme activities were monitored. We used two types of water, freshwater and seawater, to assess applicability to both systems. Overall, mortar with Cu glass exhibited lower Chl-a content, suggesting that the material did exhibit anti-algal functions. In contrast, DOC concentration increased, which appear to be originated from debris of dead algae. Cu glass also decreased phosphatase activity, which is involved in the regeneration of inorganic phosphorus (P) from organic moiety. This suggests that algal growth may be inhibited in the long-term, as P is often limited nutrient for algal production. In contrast, little impacts were observed for ßglucosidase and N-acetylglucosaminidase activities, suggesting that carbon and nitrogen mineralization may not be influenced by the beads.

Online publication: 2011-10-31
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00