Microalgae as Biosensors

We use microalgea as water pollutent biosensors by measuring their photosynthesis in polluted water with the help of an oxygen detector.

Access to clean water is a fundamental human right. In 2022, 2,2 billion people had limited access to safe drinking water, and by 2025, it is estimated that half of the world's population will be living in water-stressed areas. Those people who don’t have access to healthy, clean water get exposed to many harmful microorganizms,  diseases, and even lose their lives due to consuming waste water. However, the regions experiencing these problems are not sufficiently conscious about it. While looking for a source in order not to be dehydrated, attention is not paid to the cleanliness of the water. Therefore, it is necessary to turn to sustainable options such as microalgae.

Microalgae are very small aquatic plants that hang in water. They can breed very quickly when the necessary light, pH, salinity and similar factors are provided. Dirty water is simply water that contains organic compounds. Microalgae breed by feeding on organic components in the water and start photosynthesis. With photosynthesis, the amount of carbon dioxide in the water decreases and the amount of oxygen increases. By measuring the amount of oxygen increase in the water with the help of detectors, we can determine whether microalgae breed or not. If they are breeding, it means that they are getting organic nutrients from the water. Which means the water is dirty.  We transfer the water to a small tank that contains microalgae, and when breeding is detected, it gets transferred to pipes sealed with microfilters. Microfilters prevent algae from leaving the tank with the water.

We aim to impact people trying to reach water sources in eastern Turkey and the poor parts of the world, who are in risk of facing health problems due to polluted and wastewater.

We are conscious and interested students in the field of sustainability studying at a science and technology high school. We have been involved in more than one project in this area and we are trying to do as much research as we can. Since we live in a country that is experiencing water stress, we want our country to find innovative and constructive solutions in this regard, and we strive for this.

We examined the data of international organizations, but we haven’t engaged with potential users and organizations as our project’s stage of devalopement is still just a concept.

While microalgae have been used in many ways, we are turning them into a product which contributes to sustainability and health. 

We want to work with companies that can help us develop and manufacture our product.

We used biotechnology and sensoring technologies.

Insufficient financial resources, limited access due to being a student, the country's water policies, our limited ability to produce our product are some of the problems we are facing.

We are working with our school, Bahçeşehir Collage.

We aim to work with water treatment companies that can produce our product.