Division of City Schools

City of Mandaluyong

ALGAE GROWTH STAGNATION USING E-POWERED WATER COOLER

A Science Investigatory Project Proposal

___________________________________

Submitted by:

Maurinne Angeline R. Guloy

Mark Jhon Delacruz

A. TITLE

ALGAE GROWTH STAGNATION USING E-POWERED WATER COOLER

B. SUMMARY

An algal bloom is an occurrence in Laguna De Bay when the

temperature is hot because algae absorb energy coming from the sunlight.

They also get nutrients from Carbon dioxide emitted by the pollution in

bodies of water. It caused a great problem in the fishermen of Laguna De

Bay and Muntinlupa City.

The study aims to slow down the growth of algae by cooling down the

temperature of the bodies of water affected. The materials for making water

cooler will be gathered and then, three tilapias will be put in the aquarium

to conduct the experiment.

The beneficiaries of this study primarily are the fishermen because,

when the algae growth slows down, they will have an adequate amount of

fishes to harvest in the pond. It can also help the Local Government Unit

(LGU) of the affected areas because they don't have to repeat skimming

process.

The e-powered water cooler will not cause a potential harm to any

other species on the water. It only aims to slow down the growth of algae

without using any bacterial augmentation. Therefore, it is safe to use and

install in the affected areas or regions.

C. BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM

With the abundance of heat, an abrupt appearance of algae in some of

the lakeshores of Muntinlupa City troubled not only the residents living near

the area due to its disturbing smell but the fishermen’s source of income.

Many locals of the city are engaged in fishing as a livelihood, however, the

growth of algae affected the fishes, particularly, tilapia. Residents mentioned

that the green alga blooms is a big help in the business since a normal

amount of algae serves as food for the fish. Fish pen operators agreed that

algal bloom problem started due to the uncontrolled summer heat. To

prevent the contamination of other lakeshores along the city, the

researchers aim to slow down the production of algae by regulating the

temperature of water in the fish pens using an electricity powered water

cooler.

This research proposal would be facing challenges with the ecological

area, source of electricity needed to operate the water cooler, effect on

species and the water itself, lastly, the cost of materials.

Algae are living thing that make their own food and carries energy

from sunlight. Too much population of algae leads to algal bloom in which

the dissolved oxygen of the water is decreased making the bigger organism

to die.

In Laguna de bay, Tilapia fish is the main source of fishing. It can die

when exposed to temperature greater than 42°C and less than 13°C. Algae

could die at a temperature exceeding 36°C and will slow down at

temperature less than 16°C so the ideal temperature for water cooler is13°C
or 16°C which will slow down the growth of algae and will remain the fishes

alive.

This study will undergo endothermic process in which the heat area

absorbed by the water cooler to make the surroundings cooler.

Nearby residents won’t be disturbed due to the stench produced by

the excessive production of algae. This study also focuses on the betterment

of lakeshores in Muntinlupa City and helps lessen the inconvenience of

fishermen.

D. PROPOSED SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM PRESENTED

Methodological Framework

Figure 1. Collecting and Procedure

Gathering of materials for the

electricity powered water cooler

Visiting Deeco hardware shop for

small heat sink, Pelter module,
Heat sink with fan, DC water
pump, Acrylic Sheet, Plastic Pipe,
ACP Sheet, Pencil

Preparing the tools (Digital

temperature, scissors, laptop,
wire stripping pliers, soldering
iron, glue gun and stick, drill)
 Buying 3 alive tilapia in the
market and an aquarium

Ordering Algae Starter Kit (food

for fish) in Shopee

Figure 2. Execution of Steps

Cut the pencil into 4 pieces, glue

the pieces to the heat sink with
fan, and drill holes to the acrylic
sheet

Glue the acrylic sheets to the heat

sink and attach the plastic pipe to
the DC water pump

Drill a hole to the side of the

aquarium and attach the DC
water pump to it

Making series of circuits for

electricity to operate the water
cooler
 Place the 3 tilapias and algae in
the aquarium

Recording the observed data

Gathering of Materials

The materials in this study were gathered from buying in Shopee, an

online store and at hardware stores within the vicinity of Mandaluyong City.

It includes the ff:

• Small heat sink/ heat compound

• Pelter Module

• Heat sink with fan

• DC water pump

• Digital Temperature

• Acrylic Sheet 42 x 42 mm, 25 x 37 mm

• Plastic Pipe

• ACP Sheet

• 12 Volt Power Supply

• Pencil

• Algae

• 3 Tilapia
 Assembling of the Mini Electricity Powered Water Cooler

A pencil is divided into 4 equal pieces and was glued to the four sides of

the heat sink with fan. Holes were drilled to a 42 x 42 mm acrylic sheet. The

acrylic sheets were glued to the sides of the heat sink or the heat compound.

Using a glue gun, plastic pipe were attached to the DC water pump. A hole

was drilled to the bottom left side of the aquarium and then the DC water

pump with pipe was inserted. The thermal compound was applied to a TECI-

12706 Peltier Module and also at the bottom of the heat sink. The positive

and negative wires of the Peltier Module and DC water pump were attached

by an electric tape. Using a soldering iron, the wires were connected to a 12

volt Power Supply that has a switch on and off application.

Setting up the aquarium

To test the e-powered mini water cooler as a stagnation material for the
algae, the researchers decided to make a prototype fish pen. Using a 16 x 18
x 24 inches high and 73 x 19 x 24 inches long aquarium, the Algae starter
kit was placed on the rocks at the bottom. Three tilapias were settled down
and the e-powered mini water cooler was positioned next to the aquarium.
Cost Analysis

Materials Quantity Price

Small heat sink 1 x 108 108

Pelter Module 1 x 145 145

Heat sink with fan 1 x 350 350

DC water pump 1 x 1,742 1,742

Digital Temperature 1 x 100 100

Acrylic Sheet 42 x 42 mm 1 x 92 92

Acrylic Sheet 25 x 37 mm 4 x 60 240

Plastic Pipe 1 X 75 75

ACP Sheet 1 x 1,450 1,450

12 Volt Power Supply 1 x 20 20

Pencil 1x7 7

Algae 1x5 5

3 Tilapia 1 x 100 100

TOTAL 4, 434

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Cellona, J (2019) Why fishermen on Laguna Lake are yearning for the

rain. Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/multimedia/

slideshow/06/11/19/why-fishermen-on-laguna-lake-are-yearning-for-the-

rain

2. Science Daily (2019) Algal Bloom. Retrieved from

https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/algal_bloom.htm
3. Laguna Lake Development Authority (2016) Advisory on Algal Bloom in

Laguna De Bay. Retrieved from http://llda.gov.ph/advisory-on-algal-bloom-

in-laguna-de-bay/

4. Blitz, A (1987) Cultural Survival Quarterly Magazine MARINE FISHING IN

THE PHILIPPINES. Retrieved from https://www.culturalsurvival.org/

publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/marine-fishing-philippines

5. United States Environmental Protection Agency (2019) Using Machine

Learning to Assess Parameters Associated with Harmful Algal Blooms for

Lake Erie. Retrieved from https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record

_report.cfm?dirEntryId=347277&Lab=NERL&keyword=

%20harmful+algal+blooms+OR+HABs&sortBy=revisionDate