Excess phosphorus from agricultural runoff, wastewater, and stormwater is the main cause of harmful algal blooms in Florida’s freshwater systems. FAU’s Masoud Lashaki and collaborators are developing an effective, environmentally safe method for long-term phosphorus removal. Previously, the team transformed algal biomass into activated carbon materials capable of removing phosphorus and modified those materials with lanthanum to enhance phosphate uptake and permanently sequester phosphorus.

The team will now convert their lanthanum-modified powders into robust 3D-printed structures that can be submerged in freshwater. Unlike powdered materials, which cannot be easily recovered, the 3D-printed structures are engineered for durability and long-term use. Once spent, they can be retrieved and regenerated or recycled, preventing phosphorus accumulation in sediment and reducing maintenance costs.

• Masoud Lashaki
• Yalan Liu