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University Of Idaho Team Heading To Florida To Fight Algae Blooms

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A team of scientists from University of Idaho has made it to the finals in a competition to fight algae blooms in public waters.

Since 2015, the U of I team has been competing for the George Barley Water Prize, a $10 million competition to find the best way to fight toxic algae blooms.

 

Over 15,000 fresh bodies of water in the U.S. are affected by algae blooms and phosphorus poisoning, which can be harmful to humans and aquatic life.

 

The team is made up of a chemist, a soil scientist and a mechanical engineer.

 

The finalists will spend 14 months treating a million gallons of water a day, attempting to prove that their machine is capable of handling a large amount of water in the Florida heat near Orlando.

Along with the U of I team, groups from Europe and the U.S. Geological Survey are heading to the finals. While the phases of the competition have happened outside the state, the technology could benefit Idaho waters that experience toxic algae blooms in the summer.

For more local news, follow the KBSX newsroom on Twitter @KBSX915

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