BG121- A NOVEL PROPHYLACTIC, FLOATING AND SLOW-RELEASING FORMULATION FOR THE CONTROL OF HARMFUL CYANOBACTERIAL BLOOMS

BG121 is a unique algaecide, based on hypochlorous acid, in a floating and slow-releasing formulation. This formulation enables a novel application protocol for controlling harmful algal blooms at their earliest stages. A large field trial, covering an area of over 10,000 m², has demonstrated that a single treatment of 5.6 g/m² BG121 can effectively reduce early cyanobacterial blooms by over 80%, within 48 hours of application. Moreover, our results demonstrate a long lasting effect of at least 16 days. These results constitute a first field-based demonstration that exposure to minute quantities of the active agent, releasing chlorine far below bleaching levels, may trigger a disproportional cell-death process within the entire cyanobacterial population. The vacant ecological niche may subsequently be filled by non-harmful phytoplankton species that prevent harmful cyanobacterial populations from rebounding. BG121 provides a novel operational approach, combining simplicity, cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness and has the potential to control the onset of harmful cyanobacterial blooms in large water bodies and to prevent economic and humanitarian disasters.