Bioremediation of Algae with Enzymes

Introduction

Algal blooms have become a growing environmental challenge across the United Kingdom and beyond. Once considered a seasonal or localised nuisance, blooms of algae—particularly harmful blue-green cyanobacteria—are now recognised as one of the most pressing threats to freshwater and coastal ecosystems. Nutrient run-off from agriculture, sewage overflows, and warming temperatures have created the ideal conditions for rapid algal proliferation in rivers, canals, reservoirs, marinas, and lakes. The impacts are wide-ranging: suffocated aquatic life, poor water quality, foul odours, damaged recreational industries, and in extreme cases, toxic hazards to both humans and animals.

Traditional interventions, such as chemical algicides or mechanical removal, have had limited success and often introduce further ecological disruption. Increasingly, attention has turned towards biological and natural systems capable of remediating algae in a sustainable way. One of the most promising of these approaches is enzyme-driven bioremediation, which harnesses the catalytic power of naturally occurring enzymes to degrade algal biomass and mitigate bloom formation.

This article explores the concept of enzyme-based algal remediation in depth, considering the science, real-world applications, UK-specific relevance, challenges, and future opportunities. It also places this approach in the wider context of BioGlobe’s commitment to advancing organic and enzyme-based solutions for environmental restoration.

The Problem of Algae in UK Waterways

Causes of Algal Blooms

Algal blooms are triggered by a combination of factors. The principal driver is nutrient enrichment, particularly elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which typically arise from:

• Agricultural run-off: Fertilisers used on farmland often leach into nearby rivers and canals, especially during heavy rainfall.
• Sewage discharges: Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), increasingly in the news, regularly release untreated sewage into waterways, introducing organic matter and nutrients that encourage algal growth.
• Industrial effluents: Some industrial sites release nutrient-rich wastewater, which can accelerate eutrophication.
• Urban run-off: Oils, detergents, and debris washed from roads and pavements contribute to nutrient and pollutant loading.

Climate change compounds these pressures. Warmer water temperatures extend the growing season for algae, while altered rainfall patterns lead to both more run-off events and more stagnant waters—ideal conditions for blooms.

Ecological and Social Impacts

The ecological consequences are severe. Thick mats of algae reduce light penetration in water, halting photosynthesis in aquatic plants. Decomposition of large algal masses depletes dissolved oxygen, creating “dead zones” where fish and invertebrates cannot survive. Cyanobacterial species add an additional hazard by releasing toxins that can kill pets, damage livestock health, and threaten human wellbeing through contaminated drinking water or recreational contact.

Socially, algal blooms degrade the aesthetic and economic value of waterways. Tourism, fishing, and water sports suffer, while local councils and water authorities face rising costs in remediation. A striking example in recent years is Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland, where widespread algal blooms have threatened biodiversity, reduced fish stocks, and raised public alarm over water safety.

Why Traditional Approaches Fall Short

Efforts to manage algal blooms typically rely on chemical, mechanical, or preventative methods:

• Chemical algicides: Copper sulphate and similar agents can kill algae but often harm non-target organisms and disrupt ecological balance. They also risk creating chemical residues in water bodies.
• Mechanical removal: Harvesting or skimming can reduce visible biomass but does not address the root cause of nutrient enrichment, and the costs can be prohibitive for large water bodies.
• Preventative controls: Nutrient management through farming practice reforms and sewage treatment improvements are essential but slow to implement at scale.

None of these alone has delivered a consistent, environmentally safe, and scalable solution. This is where bioremediation—specifically enzyme-driven strategies—offers a compelling alternative.

Enzyme Bioremediation: A Natural Solution

What Are Enzymes?

Enzymes are biological catalysts, proteins that accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. In nature, enzymes break down organic matter, detoxify harmful compounds, and drive essential biochemical cycles. For remediation purposes, specific enzymes can be harnessed to target pollutants, algae, and the compounds that fuel their growth.

How Enzymes Target Algal Blooms

Enzymatic bioremediation works on multiple fronts:

1. Breaking down algal cell walls: Enzymes such as cellulases and glucanases can degrade structural polysaccharides in algae, weakening biomass and accelerating natural decay.
2. Oxidising algal metabolites: Enzymes like peroxidases and laccases can transform phenolic compounds and pigments associated with algal growth, reducing bloom persistence.
3. Degrading extracellular polymeric substances (EPS): Algae secrete sticky EPS that form biofilms and clumps. Enzymes can dismantle these polymers, dispersing colonies and making algae more vulnerable to natural competition.
4. Transforming nutrients: Certain enzymes help immobilise or transform nitrogen and phosphorus into less bioavailable forms, thereby starving algae of the resources they need to proliferate.

The result is a targeted, non-toxic intervention that reduces algal populations while preserving broader ecological integrity.

Applications in the UK Context

Rivers and Canals

Urban waterways such as the Thames tributaries, the Aire and Calder Navigation, and Manchester’s canals frequently experience algae linked to sewage discharges and nutrient run-off. Enzyme-based systems deployed in these waterways could suppress blooms without the need for chemical inputs, while floating delivery platforms could also enhance oxygen levels for aquatic life.

Lakes and Reservoirs

Reservoirs supplying drinking water are particularly sensitive to algal contamination. Traditional algicides raise concerns about introducing toxins into potable water supplies. Enzyme treatments, delivered through immobilised systems at reservoir inlets, offer a safer and more sustainable option.

Marinas and Coastal Zones

Marinas often suffer from unsightly algal mats that interfere with boating, foul hulls, and release unpleasant odours. Enzyme blends capable of breaking down algal biomass provide an eco-friendly alternative to chemical algicides, aligning with sustainability standards increasingly demanded by the marine industry.

Brownfield and Industrial Sites

Run-off from brownfield sites often introduces complex mixtures of hydrocarbons and nutrients into adjacent water bodies, fuelling algal problems. Enzyme remediation systems could be integrated into site management to both degrade organic pollutants and prevent downstream algal proliferation.

Case Study: Lough Neagh

Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles, has become a national case study for algal bloom management. In recent summers, extensive blooms have disrupted fishing, recreation, and biodiversity, drawing widespread media coverage. Enzyme-based remediation could be piloted here, with floating rafts containing immobilised enzymes breaking down algal biomass in situ. By pairing enzyme systems with nutrient management strategies, long-term improvement could be achieved.

BioGlobe’s Role in Algal Remediation

BioGlobe has already established itself as a leader in the development of organic enzyme solutions for bioremediation. Its multi-enzyme blends designed to tackle phytoplankton overgrowth and “sea snot” demonstrate proven expertise. Building on this, BioGlobe could:

• Develop algae-targeted enzyme cocktails tailored to UK freshwater species, particularly cyanobacteria.
• Deploy hydrogel-immobilised enzymes in rafts or floating devices that slowly release catalytic activity into bloom zones.
• Create modular systems suitable for councils, marinas, and water authorities, offering simple application and minimal maintenance.
• Integrate with monitoring technologies to deliver enzyme treatments only when blooms are detected, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Advantages of Enzyme Remediation

• Eco-friendly: Non-toxic and biodegradable, avoiding harm to fish, plants, or invertebrates.
• Targeted: Enzymes can be customised to degrade specific algal species or compounds.
• Scalable: Systems can be adapted for small ponds or large lakes.
• Publicly acceptable: Clean, natural image compared with chemicals or disruptive machinery.
• Synergistic: Enzyme systems can be combined with bacterial consortia or plant-based remediation for enhanced impact.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite its promise, enzyme remediation is not without challenges:

• Environmental variability: Enzyme activity is sensitive to temperature, pH, and UV exposure, requiring careful formulation for resilience.
• Cost and scalability: Large-scale enzyme production and deployment must be economically viable.
• Monitoring: Clear performance indicators (such as reductions in chlorophyll levels, oxygen recovery, and toxin breakdown) are necessary.
• Regulatory approval: Environmental regulators will require evidence of safety and efficacy before large-scale rollouts.

Future Horizons

The field of enzymatic algal remediation is evolving rapidly. Future innovations may include:

• Genetically engineered microalgae that overproduce specific enzymes to target harmful blooms.
• Hybrid devices combining enzyme release with real-time bloom monitoring via sensors.
• Enzyme-nanoparticle composites offering greater stability and extended activity in natural waters.
• Resource recovery: Algal biomass degraded by enzymes could be converted into compost or bioenergy, closing the loop in circular economy models.

Conclusion

Algal blooms represent a growing environmental, social, and economic challenge across the UK and worldwide. Traditional responses have fallen short, often causing further ecological disruption. Enzyme-driven bioremediation offers a uniquely sustainable solution: natural, targeted, and adaptable to diverse water systems.

With its expertise in organic enzyme technologies, BioGlobe is well-positioned to pioneer the application of enzymatic systems for algal control. From rivers and canals to lakes, marinas, and industrial sites, enzyme-based remediation can help restore ecological balance, protect public health, and enhance the value of the UK’s waterways.

The future of clean, resilient aquatic ecosystems may well rest on the catalytic power of enzymes—a future that is now within reach.

Summary

• Algal blooms in the UK are worsening due to nutrient run-off, sewage discharges, industrial effluents, urban pollution, and climate change.
• Impacts include oxygen depletion, fish kills, biodiversity loss, release of cyanobacterial toxins, and damage to tourism, recreation, and local economies.
• Traditional methods (chemicals, mechanical removal, nutrient management) have limited success and often cause secondary environmental harm.
• Enzyme bioremediation offers a natural solution by:
  • Breaking down algal cell walls.
  • Oxidising algal metabolites.
  • Disrupting sticky extracellular polymers (EPS).
  • Reducing bioavailable nitrogen and phosphorus.
• Applications in the UK include rivers, canals, reservoirs, lakes, marinas, and brownfield run-off zones.
• Case study: Lough Neagh demonstrates the urgent need for sustainable algae control, with enzyme-based solutions providing a viable approach.
• BioGlobe’s role: development of enzyme blends, floating delivery systems, modular solutions for councils and marinas, and integration with monitoring tech.
• Advantages of enzymes: eco-friendly, targeted, scalable, publicly acceptable, and compatible with other bioremediation methods.
• Challenges: environmental variability (temperature, pH, UV), costs, scalability, monitoring, and regulatory approval.
• Future opportunities include: engineered microalgae producing enzymes, hybrid sensor–enzyme devices, enzyme–nanoparticle composites, and resource recovery from degraded algae.
• Conclusion: Enzymatic bioremediation is a sustainable, effective, and future-ready solution to restore UK waterways, with BioGlobe well-placed to lead its adoption.

Bioglobe offer Enzyme pollution remediation for major oil-spills, oceans and coastal waters, marinas and inland water, sewage and nitrate remediation and also agriculture and brown-field sites, globally.

For further information:
BioGlobe LTD (UK),
Phone: +44(0) 116 4736303| Email: info@bioglobe.co.uk