Reflecting pool to be drained again, uncovering the science behind Donald Trump's recurring pool problems
President Donald Trump's project to renovate the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has encountered issues, with the water turning green due to algae growth. The $16.4 million renovation, which included painting the bottom "American Flag Blue," was completed in June. However, the pool's water quality has deteriorated, prompting workers to add hydrogen peroxide to combat the algae.
According to Patricia Glibert, a professor at the University of Maryland's Center for Environmental Science, algae growth is facilitated by the presence of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sunlight. The darker color of the pool floor may have contributed to the problem, as it warms the water faster, allowing algae to grow more quickly. The pool's shallow depth also enables light to reach the algae, promoting growth.
Glibert noted that the hydrogen peroxide treatment is effective in killing algae but only provides a temporary solution, as the decaying algae release nutrients back into the water, allowing new growth to occur. To address the issue, the pool requires continuous monitoring of water chemistry, improved filtration, and potential treatments such as algaecides or nano-bubblers.
The renovation contracts were awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings and Green Water Solutions, with the former receiving $14.2 million to resurface the pool and the latter receiving $1.7 million to improve water quality. The Department of the Interior has stated that algae blooms have been a recurring issue with the pool since 1922. Trump had rejected a $300 million plan to replace the granite, opting for a cheaper renovation method, which he claimed would be more efficient and cost-effective.
According to Patricia Glibert, a professor at the University of Maryland's Center for Environmental Science, algae growth is facilitated by the presence of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sunlight. The darker color of the pool floor may have contributed to the problem, as it warms the water faster, allowing algae to grow more quickly. The pool's shallow depth also enables light to reach the algae, promoting growth.
Glibert noted that the hydrogen peroxide treatment is effective in killing algae but only provides a temporary solution, as the decaying algae release nutrients back into the water, allowing new growth to occur. To address the issue, the pool requires continuous monitoring of water chemistry, improved filtration, and potential treatments such as algaecides or nano-bubblers.
The renovation contracts were awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings and Green Water Solutions, with the former receiving $14.2 million to resurface the pool and the latter receiving $1.7 million to improve water quality. The Department of the Interior has stated that algae blooms have been a recurring issue with the pool since 1922. Trump had rejected a $300 million plan to replace the granite, opting for a cheaper renovation method, which he claimed would be more efficient and cost-effective.
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