Degradation of cyanobacteria and microalgae using ultraviolet radiation at 222 nm and its application in the bleaching of lampenflora on cave rock surfaces
Keisuke Naito 1, Shuji Watanabe 2, Masuo Komukai 3, Takehiro Kazama 4, Masayuki Itoh 5, and Masahiro Kawasaki 6
1 Ushio Inc. (Japan)
2 Iwate Prefectural Museum (Japan)
3 Speleological Research Institute of Japan (Japan)
4 University of Hyogo (Japan)
5 Kyoto University (Japan)
6 Hokkaido University (Japan)
Ushio provides antiviral and disinfectant UV light source modules, and possesses technology that cuts out wavelengths of 230 nm or more that are harmful to humans by combining an excimer lamp with a peak wavelength of 222 nm with a special optical filter. Currently, we are evaluating whether this technology is useful as a removal technique for microalgae (Lampenflora) that has developed as a result of the use of artificial lighting in tourist limestone caves. After confirming its effectiveness on microalgae cultivated in the laboratory, we were conducted a trial run in an actual limestone cave and confirmed that it is possible to bleach lampenflora.
