TOPIC PROPOSAL

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 (QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH)

NAMES: GROUP 3
Aclan, Gian Paulo M. Balderama, Stephen John E. Garcia, Jhon Franko O. Macahia, Lanz
Joshua M. Marfa, Joan T. Pabuna, John Dale S.

WORKING TITLE:

Algae Collector and Maintenance Device

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:

Baywalk Bañadero located at barangay Bañadero together with barangay Wawa and

and Dragon View Deck in barangay Boot was one of the most famous tourist spots in the city of

Tanauan in Batangas province. People of the city together with its neighbouring cities really takes

time to visit the place, famous for its breath taking scenery of the Taal Lake and the relaxing

ambiance of the place, however, the lakeshore was suffering from huge number of algae for many

years now, making parts of the lakeshore to appear blue-green and green in colour and causes

unpleasant smell on water.

Algal bloom commonly known as algae where plant like organism residing on

bodies of water like lakes, rivers, oceans and ponds. Cyanobacteria blooms, a blue-green algae is

one of the most common and harmful type of algae that can be seen around lakes, ponds and other

freshwater bodies of water. According to Schubert (2020), this type of bacteria have the ability to

reproduce sixteen (16) times and increase by up to six million percent in just one day, making it

possible to cover a surface of freshwater bodies. Ecologically, algae serves as food and source of

growth for any aquatic animals like fish, snails, insects and any other microorganism, but because
of the fast growth ability of algae and by the huge amount it can produce, it can actually be harmful

on both the ecosystem and humans (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2013).

With large amount of algae, it produces and releases toxins which prevents sunlight

to pass through the surface of water, poison organisms under water and contaminates the water

resulting to human skin and eye irritation. In addition to that, it also has far-reaching consequences

for the economy and environment, such as water quality causing undesirable taste, water

discoloration, and unpleasant odours. Algal blooms becomes more damaging as they break down

and decomposes on water, they uses oxygen on water making the oxygen level to decrease which

are necessary to the organisms living below, it is stated that oxygen level below five (5)

milligrams per litre (mg/L) can stress aquatic animals in water especially fishes resulting to fish

kills that can further damage these bodies of water. (Australian Government: Department of

Agriculture, Water and the Environment, 2018).

As stated by McMyn (2020), one way to remove algae blooms in bodies of water is

to use chemicals like copper sulfate and aluminium sulfate, yet these chemicals are harmful to

both humans, animals and other living organism under the water as per it can cause severe eye-

irritation, nausea, vomiting, damage to body tissues, liver, kidney, respiratory problems and can

even lead to death. Another way of algae removal was through pumps machine which connects

from the machine via host and through the water, harvesting not just algae but also other organism

in underwater. Collected organism then just thrown away. (BioRaiser, 2018).

In line with this foregoing advancement of the topic, the researches came with the

idea to create a prototype project of algae collector that will run on the surface of water that will

collect the algae on the surface of water, as per the underwater algae, the prototype device will

have a sprayer containing herbicides that when sprayed underwater will make the algae
underwater float to surface water in where it can be collected. Herbicides are commonly used in

algae in where can make it float, there were organic and chemically made herbicides, but most of

them are organic and not harmful to marine life (ForestInfo, 2012). The prototype device aims to

help collect both surface and underwater algae that would help balance its reproduction, maintain

the cleanliness look of bodies of water and prevent algal bloom to be a massive problem that a

certain community that would have to face in the future.

GENERAL PROBLEM:

The project aims to develop a project that will help solve problems brought by too much algae

production residing on bodies of water and balance its increasing number by collecting and storing

the algae and convert them to something useful like biofuel, fertilizers and more.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

1. To create a project that will reduce/balance the reproduction of algae.

2. To know how algae affect the biodiversity in Taal Lake.

3. To know how the collected algae can be preserve and turn it to something useful.

4. To evaluate the prototype in terms of its;

4.1. Functionality

4.2.Efficiency

4.3.Design and structure

 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE:
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK
The goal of this study is to design an Algae
Theoretical Framework
Collector and Maintenance device to maintain
(The theory that represents your study or how
and balance the population of algae blooms in the variables and concepts are related to the
theory.)
bodies of water. This study will be beneficial
to the following: Conceptual Framework
(A diagram that visually represents and
People. This device will be helpful to people’s
interprets the underlying theory, principles, and
health. It will prevent the high concentration of concepts of your research.)
Note: Please refer to the instructions provided
algae that can lead to skin and eye irritation.
by your capstone teacher.
Also, this device will help prevent diarrhea,
fevers, and vomiting when consuming food
such as fish and shellfish that may contain
toxins because of algae-affected water.
Community. This study will help the
livelihood of the residents, especially the local
fishermen, and the business owners located in
the area since it will attract more tourists.
Environment. Implementing the use of this
device will maintain the balance of the lake’s
environment, specifically to the aquatic
animals because too many algae can reduce
their ability to find food that might cause them
to leave the area or eventually die.
Tanauan City Agricultural Farm. The
collected algae can be packed and donated to
the nearby agricultural farm of Tanauan City
since algae can be used as fertilizer because of
its ability to help crops grow efficiently.
Entrepreneurs. The collected algae can be
donated to the business owner that uses algae
in their product.
Future Researchers. This study will serve as
a guide and reference for future researchers if
they will conduct a similar or related study.

RESEARCH LOCALE, RESPONDENTS, RESEARCH APPROACH

AND SAMPLING METHOD

(Where is the target location of your study? (Where research approach/design will be used
Who are the respondents or subjects? What in this research?
sampling method and techniques are you going Indicate why this is the applicable approach to
to utilize? your research. Provide the definition of the
Provide what is needed on this part, including approach used in the explanation.)
a brief description of each question.)

DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE DATA ANALYSIS

(Provide the procedure in gathering your data, (Research on the applicable statistical
you may provide how you will gather the data: treatment to be used in your research, consider
example: Validating of the questionnaires by your design in answering this part.)
the experts, seeking approval to the principal
for the conduct of the study, Seeking approval
to the respondents. This part may vary
depending on the research design to be
employed by the researchers.)

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
(Please refer to the instructions provided by your capstone teacher.)

REFERENCES (APA):

Luistro, M. (2021, June 10). Algal bloom caused greenish water in Taal Lake, DENR says.
Retrieved February 25, 2022, from Philstar.com website:
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/06/10/2104484/algal-bloom-caused-greenish-
water-taal-lake-denr-says
Berdeng tubig sa Taal Lake sanhi ng “algal bloom” - DENR - The Cavite Rising. (2021, June
16). Retrieved February 25, 2022, from The Cavite Rising website:
https://thecaviterising.com/berdeng-tubig-sa-taal-lake-sanhi-ng-algal-bloom-denr/

Harmful Algal Blooms | US EPA. (2013, June 3). Retrieved February 25, 2022, from US EPA
website: https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/harmful-algal-
blooms#:~:text=Red%20tides%2C%20blue%2Dgreen%20algae,green%2C%20scummy
%20or%20smells%20bad.

Algal bloom. (2019). Retrieved February 25, 2022, from ScienceDaily website:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/algal_bloom.htm

Max Schubert on Fast-Growing Cyanobacteria. (2020, April 20). Retrieved February 25, 2022,
from Wyss Institute website: https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/max-schubert-on-fast-
growing-
cyanobacteria/#:~:text=These%20bacteria%20can%20double%20themselves,%2C%20fo
od%2C%20and%20other%20items.

The Effects: Dead Zones and Harmful Algal Blooms | US EPA. (2013, March 12). Retrieved
February 25, 2022, from US EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/effects-
dead-zones-and-harmful-algal-
blooms#:~:text=Elevated%20nutrient%20levels%20and%20algal,illnesses%20for%20ani
mals%20and%20humans.

Control and Treatment – Harmful Algal Blooms. (2015). Retrieved February 26, 2022, from
Whoi.edu website: https://hab.whoi.edu/response/control-and-
treatment/#:~:text=The%20oldest%20and%20most%20widely,water%2C%20including%20the
%20HAB%20cells.
tagonline. (2019, November 27). Alum Environmental and Toxicological Information - Affinity
Chemical. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from Affinity Chemical website:
https://www.affinitychemical.com/alum-environmental-and-toxicological-
information/#:~:text=Aluminum%20sulfate%20is%20fairly%20non,%2C%20nausea%2C
%20and%20respiratory%20irritations.

Bioraiser. (2018). Retrieved February 26, 2022, from Bioraiser website:

https://bioraiser.fi/algae-collector/#

Are glyphosate-based herbicides harmful to aquatic organisms? - ForestInfo. (2012). Retrieved

February 26, 2022, from Forestinfo.ca website: https://forestinfo.ca/faqs/are-glyphosate-based-
herbicides-harmful-to-aquatic-organisms/

McMyn, N. (2020, February 3). A remedy for harmful algal blooms? Scientist thinks he’s found
one. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from EHN website: https://www.ehn.org/a-remedy-for-
harmful-algal-blooms-scientist-thinks-hes-found-one-2644268978.html