Eradicating eutrophication from marine ecosystems using sustainable agents.

India is globally accountable for the consumption of 63.92 million metric tons worth of fertilizer products. In the future, this might lead to our homeland being extremely vulnerable to climate-related health impacts, especially to our marine ecosystems. The presence of excess nutrients, caused by the usage of fertilizers, in water bodies is known as eutrophication. Eukaryotic yet photosynthetic organisms like algae bloom in such waters with excessive nutrients. These blooms float on water bodies like green scum suffocating the aquatic flora and fauna beneath. This process of eutrophication blocks sunlight to penetrate and oxygen to diffuse, creating a condition of Hypoxia. 

Eutrophication, often overlooked, has a presence in 54% of all lakes in India. The state of Rajasthan has recorded a high number of eutrophic and polluted lakes. We have also constantly been chucking sewage, industry waste, garbage, detergents from dhobi ghats, and more pollutants into our water bodies, loading the ecosystem with chemicals and swelling the progression of Algae. Rajasthan is also experiencing a rise in illnesses spread by insects and through contaminated water. 

We have been taught that civilizations were planned around lakes for their importance in providing fresh water and food. Moreover, such water bodies always keep a check on the local groundwater level. They provide tourism, food, and business to local communities. A eutrophic and polluted lake is a nightmare for all those who are dependent upon it.  

Klein - B is a solar-powered and LiDAR-fit boat that permanently eradicates the problem of eutrophication from water bodies in a completely sustainable way. I have innovated a solution that cleans the visible scum of the lake, decreases its turbidity, and removes all excess nutrients and heavy metals from the water-body 

I have used two major natural components that help in the revival of any eutrophic ecosystem. Firstly, to eliminate the dissolved heavy metals I aim to deploy a fern called Azolla Caroliniana.  Azolla is a diminutive plant that once absorbed excess CO2 from the atmosphere to make life possible on Earth. I will use this capability of its to suck up the nitrates and phosphates dissolved in the water. It almost doubles itself in around two days, helping to juice up the nutrient pollution from the lake. Additionally, it can also be sold as it is considered to be one of the best sources of crude protein. 

To eradicate the microscopic algae in these lakes, Klein - B will employ a common water flea called Daphnia magna. Daphnia is a minuscule water creature that is fond of eating microscopic algae. Being a nonselective filter-feeder it also partakes in micro-algae breeding in aqua environments. It is an organism that reproduces quickly, which is advantageous for the rapid removal of waterborne algae. 

Whilst propelling forward, the boat will chart the lake’s coastline using LiDAR technology. Floating impurities and insoluble waste (such as plastic and other materials) are skimmed off using a conveyor belt. It then plants cultures of Azolla onto the water body, exponentially covering the entire surface. The Azolla is then re-collected. Furthermore, algae-rich water is transported from the pond to the boat and is collected in the daphnia tank. Daphnia will feed on algae; the algae-free clean water is then returned. This process continues until the entire body is purified.

My solution is a solution for help nature via natural agents. Klein - B will not create disturbance in the ecosystem but rather balance it. It's not just an innovation but a real solution to protect our lakes today. 

Klein - B, a solar-powered and LiDAR-fit boat that eliminates the problem of eutrophication, will help everyone whose lives depend upon the marine ecosystem. Water in the eutrophic lakes becomes anoxic, and the environment around it is unpleasant and smelly. Klein B revives the natural ecosystem, thus boosting the economy and tourism along the clean water. 

Many households are dependent on fishing as the main source of their income. However, eutrophication can lead to fish kills and reduced fish populations, directly impacting the income and food security of these communities. Eutrophic lakes often discourage tourists due to their unpleasant appearance and potential health hazards. This affects local economies reliant on tourism revenue, especially in a developing country like India. People who enjoy activities like swimming, boating, and picnicking around lakes are adversely affected by the presence of algal blooms. Some communities rely on lakes as a source of drinking water. Eutrophication can further compromise water quality, leading to shortages of safe drinking water.

I believe that being a citizen of this country, I should take on the responsibility of conserving our lakes. Thus, I came up with the notion of a self-sufficient boat that is powered by solar panels and equipped with several tanks for the cleaning procedure

My team is made up of peers as well as school authorities who have assisted me with planning, budgeting, and sourcing the right materials to create my boat - Klein - B. My team and I are constantly working to perfect our current design, aiming to develop our expected prototype very soon. We were able to ideate and actively work on the project frequently as a result of our daily encounters.

My School Engineer, who was an incredibly important part of my project, was able to help me by lending his experience and providing me with essential information on the technical properties of the boat, deployment of the components, and optimum designing of the boat, which was critical to the accomplishment of organizational goals. It would have been impossible to collect resources or pitch the initiative to other groups without this management. 

We are all deeply committed to the cause of reducing eutrophication from lakes all over India. Throughout the project, our combined, collective energy and excitement served as the driving force. All of the team's combined decisions are what made this project feasible.

As of now, I have developed a prototype boat designed to clean eutrophic lakes. Utilizing CAD design, I have ensured precision in its construction. Additionally, I've performed tests with samples collected from the polluted lakes, demonstrating the effectiveness of certain biological agents such as daphnia in consuming microalgae. Furthermore, I've explored the potential of Azolla for biodiesel production, showcasing my commitment to sustainable practices and how it can double very quickly by sucking the nutrients in the water. 

While my prototype hasn't yielded the expected results yet, my focus remains on refining and improving its functionality based on the data I have gathered. As of now, I haven't served any customers or beneficiaries directly, but my efforts have been concentrated on research and development to ensure my solution meets the needs of those affected by eutrophic lakes.

I am looking to gain visibility, networking with a research community, build integrations with allied innovations, gain mentorship from domain experts, and also receive funding to support the development of this new revolutionary boat. 

I believe that no other solution is tackling the issue of eutrophication, especially in India. I have studied the varying harmful environmental impacts that the current situations have and actively tried to overcome them through a sustainability-focused project model.

Unlike traditional methods that solely skim the surface of the lake, my innovative boat tackles the root cause as well, effectively eradicating the excess nutrients and microalgae that fuel the growth of eutrophication.
At the heart of our solution lies the power of nature itself. I aim to utilize the remarkable capabilities of Azolla fern, a natural biofilter, to absorb and eliminate harmful nutrients in the water. By deploying Azolla strategically, my boat not only cleans the lake but also addresses the current imbalance that leads to eutrophication.

Powered entirely by solar energy, Klein-B operates sustainably and efficiently, minimizing its environmental footprint while maximizing its impact. What sets my solution apart is not just its ecological approach, but also its advanced technology. I intend to use lidar technology to help navigate the boat in waters autonomously, ensuring precise deployment of Azolla to targeted areas too!

In essence, It decreases the turbidity of water; reduces eutrophication by deploying Azolla fern; clears the visible scum and garbage from the lake surface, and produces plant nutrition sources for the market. 

1. Clean three lakes in Rajasthan within the first year, targeting an ideal lake area of 250,000 square meters each, effectively reducing eutrophication levels and benefiting aquatic life, fish populations, and local communities.

2. Scale the operation to different states in India, expanding the impact of eutrophication reduction efforts nationwide in my country.

3. Utilize Azolla to not only clean the lakes but also to absorb CO2 from the air, contributing to a significant improvement in air quality and environmental health.

4. Establish partnerships with vendors to sell Azolla, aiming to extract approximately 31,250 kilograms of Azolla from each lake cleaning process, creating additional revenue streams and promoting sustainability.

5. Offer lake cleaning services free of charge to the government and conduct awareness campaigns to educate the public about the importance of addressing eutrophication and preserving water bodies.

Klein-B works in three fully planned and detailed phases as explained below; the boat will sail the entire lake, completing three tasks using different technologies along the way.

Phase 1: Mapping out the lake

A LiDAR scanner is used to chart the entire lake's coastline. The boat is propelled forward by a submerged underwater free-running wave propellor, this type of propeller is electrically powered and also takes advantage of wave energy to propel the boat forward, using minimum energy thus conserving energy. 

Visible impurities and floating scum are skimmed off using a flap installed in front of the boat. Impurities reach the trash tank at the end of the ship via a conveyor belt. The trash tank is emptied offshore and collected. The empty tank will later be used to collect Azolla ferns.

Planting cultures of Azolla fern in different locations on the surface of the lake. As mentioned earlier, the fast-spreading Azolla fern covers the entire lake. Since it grows quickly, it uses nutrients dissolved in the lake. It also absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere in the process. This Azolla fern blanket is collected about every 10 days and dumped into the garbage tank. It is one of the best sources of crude protein, so it is a very good feed for livestock. It is therefore extremely useful, growing rapidly, absorbing contaminated nutrients, and sold as an excellent feed and biofuel. 

Phase 2: Cleaning Process 

A software is used to analyze the entire area of the lake and then to divide the entire area into various small zones. This division is based on the volume of the water in that zone. The boat stays in one such zone until this volume of water is cleaned. Algae-rich water from each zone is transported from the lake to the boat and is collected in the tank containing daphnia. Daphnia, a filter feeder, will feed on algae. The algae-free clean water is then returned to the lake. This process continues until the entire lake is free of algae. Daphnia also reproduces very rapidly, so they are occasionally released into the lake to control the amount in the tank and reused in the lake as a cleaning agent or food for the fish present in the lake. 

Phase 3: Withdrawal process

This phase is the ultimate one in the entire procedure. In the end, every last daphnia is released into the lake, which, as previously mentioned, may be useful in the future. The lake's remaining Azolla fern will be harvested to prevent further spread. 

10 people: full time. 

Almost 1 year. 

Our team includes school science teachers, public health practitioners, designers, and communication experts. Klein-B aims to rehabilitate and reduce eutrophication levels in all geographies all over the world, with the mission of equity at its heart. The core idea is holistic and multifocal empowerment that facilitates a sustainable system, and ultimately, a world, wherein each living being feels healthy and has easier access to safer water. 

We have spent several months co-creating our solutions with community health worker partners in the field. Further, the team at Klein-B is diverse, with a 1:4 gender ratio. We value the diversity of viewpoints this adds to our operations and are deeply empathetic to the fact that success and aid look different to everyone, and we must shape our project to reflect this. 

Our business runs on a very simple motto: creating wealth from waste. We're revolutionizing the way we restore the health of our lakes while creating economic opportunities too. Our approach is simple yet effective: deploying specially designed boats that disperse Azolla fern into eutrophic lakes. Azolla, acting like a natural sponge, eagerly absorbs excess nutrients from the water, effectively combating the detrimental effects of eutrophication.

As the Azolla thrives in its new environment, it undergoes rapid growth, often doubling or tripling in mass. This abundance allows us to harvest tons of mature Azolla at its peak, creating a sustainable cycle of nutrient removal and harvest. The harvested Azolla serves as a valuable resource with multiple revenue streams. We sell it to various vendors as high-quality feedstock and cattle food due to its rich nutritional content. Furthermore, we extract biodiesel and glycerin from the Azolla, offering eco-friendly alternatives for industrial use.

But our efforts don't stop there. We also harness the potential of algae present in the lake, exploring various avenues for productivity. From plastics to pharmaceuticals, the possibilities are vast. Our business model not only addresses pressing environmental concerns by restoring aquatic ecosystems and improving water quality but also generates economic opportunities.

Our financial plan at Klein-B is strategically designed to ensure both short-term success and long-term growth. Initially, we aim to secure $40,000 USD from a combination of government grants and private sector investments. With this capital, we will procure the necessary resources to deploy our innovative cleaning technology.

In our first year of operation, we anticipate generating approximately $80,000 USD from cleaning a single lake using our specialized boat. With ambitious goals in mind, we plan to extend our impact by cleaning three lakes within the year, resulting in a total revenue of $240,000 USD.

Looking ahead, our vision includes expansion and scalability. Over the course of the next two to three years, we intend to develop three additional boats to increase our capacity and reach. This strategic growth strategy positions us for continued success in both environmental impact and financial sustainability.