Harmful algal blooms (HABs) can cause significant loss of farmed salmon, particularly through gill damage and oxygen depletion. Advanced oxidation processes have shown promise in eliminating algae due to generation of radicals with high oxidative power. Photocatalysis is one type of advanced oxidation process which has the significant advantage that it can destroy algae and toxic metabolites by using a catalyst and low-cost LEDs without the addition of chemicals.
A highly innovative addition to photocatalysis is to explore the use of LED to influence the phototaxis of HABs by selecting the correct wavelength of LED to provide targeted elimination of HABs before they reach salmon cages. Targeted highly localised treatment minimises the impact on non-target organisms while efficiently removing HABs before adverse effects occur. The aim of this project is to design a highly efficient photocatalytic barrier to protect salmon cages from HABs with minimum impact on natural biota, by applying novel LED lure lights for targeted photocatalytic destruction of HAB species identified as hazards in salmon aquaculture.