Algae are a significant source of oxygen on Earth due to its capability of photosynthesis.
Further they are an efficient biological system for converting solar energy into plant life,
a source of energy for higher life. However, at high concentrations, called blooms, they
can contribute tastes and odors, and even toxins to the surrounding water.
Algae at both low and high concentrations may be removed by dissolved air flotation (DAF).
Even very high concentrations from wastewater treatment lagoons and algae culture ponds
are efficiently removed. The recovered algae have many economical uses. When alum or
iron salts are added to improve coagulation for algae removal, phosphorus is also removed,
thereby lessening productivity in a lake or stream.
