Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Review Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp5 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Ultraviolet–C radiation for sustainable control of harmful algal blooms and aquatic weeds

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.15292
Submitted
28 April 2026
Published
14-09-2026

Abstract

Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly threatened by invasive aquatic weeds and harmful algal blooms (HABs), driven by eutrophication, climate change and anthropogenic disturbances. These proliferations degrade water quality, disrupt ecosystem functioning, reduce biodiversity and cause major economic losses in fisheries and water management. Conventional control strategies, including chemical, mechanical and biological methods, often provide limited effectiveness and may generate secondary environmental impacts. Ultraviolet–C (UV-C) radiation has emerged as a promising non-chemical alternative for sustainable aquatic ecosystem management. This review evaluates the mechanisms underlying UV-C mediated control of aquatic weeds and HABs, including DNA photodamage, reactive oxygen species generation, photosynthetic inhibition and membrane disruption. This processes collectively suppress cellular growth and viability. Recent advances in UV-C technologies, such as UV-light-emitting diode (UV-LED) systems, mobile treatment platforms and advanced oxidation processes [UV/hydrogen peroxide (UV/H₂O₂), UV/ozone (UV/O₃) and UV/peroxymonosulfate (UV/PMS)], have enhanced treatment efficiency for algal suppression, cyanotoxin degradation and pollutant removal. Treatment efficiency is strongly dose-dependent, with higher UV-C fluence generally resulting in greater microbial inactivation, algal suppression and cyanotoxin degradation. The review further examines field applications, engineering considerations and the integration of UV-C with smart monitoring tools including artificial intelligence, remote sensing and autonomous systems for precision aquatic management. However, treatment efficacy remains strongly influenced by turbidity, dissolved organic matter, water depth and species-specific tolerance, while challenges related to energy demand, operational cost and ecological impacts on non-target organisms persist. Future research should focus on optimising low-energy and solar-assisted UV systems, improving reactor design and integrating UV-C into ecosystem-based management frameworks. Overall, UV-C radiation offers a versatile and environmentally compatible strategy for sustainable control of aquatic weeds and HABs.

References

  1. 1. Abba A, Sankarannair S, Ibrahim Y, Kaparaju P. A participatory approach to water hyacinth management: Enhancing livelihoods and ecosystem sustainability. Environ Manage. 2026;76(1):3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-025-02314-y
  2. 2. Kawade SS, Panchakarla S, Sapkale PH. Review on aquatic weeds and their management. Environ Ecol. 2023;41(4C):2900–8. https://doi.org/10.60151/envec/WILR4817
  3. 3. Bisht L, Mitra D, Joshi NC, Joshi HC, Gururani P. Revealing the hidden potential of ultraviolet (UV)-C irradiation for controlling aquatic toxicity caused by harmful algal blooms. Environ Qual Manag. 2025;34(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70052
  4. 4. Lakshmikandan M, Li M, Pan B. Cyanobacterial blooms in environmental water: Causes and solutions. Curr Pollut Rep. 2024;10(4):606–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40726-024-00322-w
  5. 5. Kaur M, Kumar M, Sachdeva S, Puri SK. Aquatic weeds as the next generation feedstock for sustainable bioenergy production. Bioresour Technol. 2018;251:390–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.11.082
  6. 6. Dhadse S, Mazumdar P, Alam SN, Bagade S, Sakhare P, Khapekar R. Aquatic weeds diversity in India and its management by composting: A review. Plantae Sci. 2022;5(2):29–35.
  7. 7. Krishnani KK, Boddu VM, Nagendrasai K, Arambam K, Jacob J, Chakraborty P, et al. The invasive aquatic macrophyte weed-Eichhornia: Its management, bioremediation potential and valorisation. J Environ Chem Eng. 2025:119462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2025.119462
  8. 8. Kumar S. Aquatic weeds problems and management in India. Indian J Weed Sci. 2011;43(3–4):118–38.
  9. 9. Mkechera R, Dahiya S. Advancements in the detection of invasive water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): A critical review of monitoring techniques for aquatic ecosystem management. Environ Monit Assess. 2026;198(2):179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-026-14979-x
  10. 10. Li FF, Hao Q, Cui X, Lin RZ, Luo BS, Ma JS. Global invasive alien plant management lists: Assessing current practices and adapting to new demands. Plant Divers. 2025;47(4):666–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2024.11.002
  11. 11. Pradhan A, Kumar S. Aquatic weeds management through chemical and manual integration to reduce cost by manual removal alone and its effect on water quality. Indian J Weed Sci. 2019;51:183–7. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-8164.2019.00039.X
  12. 12. Kurniadie D, Rezkia NN, Widayat D, Widiawan A, Duy L, Prabowo DP. Control of aquatic weed Eichhornia crassipes using florpyrauxifen-benzyl herbicide—Case study in Cangkuang lake (Indonesia). Water. 2023;15(10):1859. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15101859
  13. 13. Viswanathan SP, Njazhakunnathu GV, Neelamury SP, Padmakumar B, Ambatt TP. Invasive wetland weeds derived biochar properties affecting soil carbon dynamics of south Indian tropical ultisol. Environ Manage. 2023;72(2):343–62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-023-01791-3
  14. 14. Ortiz MF, Nissen SJ, Thum R, Heilman MA, Dayan FE. Current status and future prospects of herbicide for aquatic weed management. Outlooks Pest Manag. 2020;31(6):270–5. https://doi.org/10.1564/v31_dec_07
  15. 15. Dalton RL, Robinson SA, Bartlett AJ, Sesin V, Ben Othman H, Carpenter DJ, et al. Effects of the aquatic herbicide diquat on non-target aquatic biota: A mesocosm study. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2025;89(4):451–68. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-025-01161-6
  16. 16. Shi L, Wang X, Dai Y, Zhou W, Wu S, Shao B, et al. Comparison of the aquatic toxicity of diquat and its metabolites to zebrafish Danio rerio. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):31358. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82905-7
  17. 17. Udugamasuriyage D, Kahandawa G, Tennakoon KU. Nonchemical aquatic weed control methods: Exploring the efficacy of UV-C radiation as a novel weed control tool. Plants. 2024;13(8):1052. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13081052
  18. 18. Bermarija T, Hiscock A, Johnston L, Huang Y, Comeau A, Jamieson R. Performance and ecological impacts of benthic barriers for the control of an invasive plant in a small urban lake. Ecol Eng. 2022;184:106784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2022.106784
  19. 19. Pessina A, Humair L, Naderi R, Röder G, Seehausen ML, Rasmann S, et al. Investigating the host finding behaviour of the weevil Phytobius vestitus for the biological control of the invasive aquatic weed Myriophyllum aquaticum. Biol Control. 2024;192:105509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105509
  20. 20. Karouach F, Ben Bakrim W, Ezzariai A, Sobeh M, Kibret M, Yasri A, et al. A comprehensive evaluation of the existing approaches for controlling and managing the proliferation of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). Front Environ Sci. 2022;9:767871. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.767871
  21. 21. Rajora K, Sarma K. Holistic approaches to sustainable control of invasive water hyacinth: Merging ecological insights with effective management strategies. Biol Invasions. 2025;27(9):206. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-025-03667-5
  22. 22. Ghetti F, Checcucci G, Bornman JF, editors. Environmental UV radiation: Impact on ecosystems and human health and predictive models: Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Environmental UV Radiation: Impact on Ecosystems and Human Health and Predictive Models, Pisa, Italy, June 2001. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands; 2006.
  23. 23. Nawkar GM, Maibam P, Park JH, Sahi VP, Lee SY, Kang CH. UV-induced cell death in plants. Int J Mol Sci. 2013;14(1):1608–28. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms14011608
  24. 24. Martínez-Abaigar J, Núñez-Olivera E, Arróniz-Crespo M, Tomás R, Beaucourt N, Otero S. Effects of ultraviolet radiation on aquatic bryophytes. Limnetica. 2006;25(1–2):81–94.
  25. 25. Pessoa MF. Harmful effects of UV radiation in algae and aquatic macrophytes-A review. Emir J Food Agric. 2012;24(6).
  26. 26. Rastogi RP, Sinha RP, Moh SH, Lee TK, Kottuparambil S, Kim YJ, et al. Ultraviolet radiation and cyanobacteria. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2014;141:154–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2014.09.020
  27. 27. Rozema J, Björn LO, Bornman JF, Gaberščik A, Häder DP, Trošt T, et al. The role of UV-B radiation in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems—an experimental and functional analysis of the evolution of UV-absorbing compounds. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2002;66(1):2–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1011-1344(01)00269-7
  28. 28. Adhikari A, Parraga Estrada KJ, Chhetri VS, Janes M, Fontenot K, Beaulieu JC. Evaluation of ultraviolet (UV-C) light treatment for microbial inactivation in agricultural waters with different levels of turbidity. Food Sci Nutr. 2020;8(2):1237–43. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1412
  29. 29. Wang Y, Zhu Y, Wang K, Tan Y, Bing X, Jiang J, et al. Principles and research progress of physical prevention and control technologies for algae in eutrophic water. iScience. 2024;27(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.109990
  30. 30. Borderie F, Alaoui-Sehmer L, Bousta F, Alaoui-Sossé B, Aleya L. Cellular and molecular damage caused by high UV-C irradiation of the cave-harvested green alga Chlorella minutissima: Implications for cave management. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad. 2014;93:118–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2014.05.014
  31. 31. Dong F, Lin Q, Deng J, Zhang T, Li C, Zai X. Impact of UV irradiation on Chlorella sp. damage and disinfection byproducts formation during subsequent chlorination of algal organic matter. Sci Total Environ. 2019;671:519–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.282
  32. 32. Gao C, Xing D, Li L, Zhang L. Implication of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction in the early stages of plant programmed cell death induced by ultraviolet-C overexposure. Planta. 2008;227(4):755–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-007-0654-4
  33. 33. Rothäusler E, Dobretsov S, Gómez MF, Jofré-Madariaga D, Thiel M, Véliz K, et al. Effect of UV-radiation on the physiology of the invasive green seaweed Codium fragile and its associated bacteria. Mar Environ Res. 2022;180:105708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105708
  34. 34. Shahzaidi ZS, Tackallou SH, Amjad L, Zali H, Iranbakhsh A. Analysis of UV radiation-induced changes: Effects on morpho-physiological and biochemical traits of Portulaca oleracea. BMC Plant Biol. 2025;25(1):1318. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07386-w
  35. 35. Borderie F, Laurence AS, Naoufal R, Faisl B, Geneviève O, Dominique R, et al. UV-C irradiation as a tool to eradicate algae in caves. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad. 2011;65(4):579–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2011.02.009
  36. 36. Chen L, Xie M, Bi Y, Wang G, Deng S, Liu Y. The combined effects of UV-B radiation and herbicides on photosynthesis, antioxidant enzymes and DNA damage in two bloom-forming cyanobacteria. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2012;80:224–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2012.03.007
  37. 37. Aguirre-von-Wobeser E, Figueroa FL, Cabello-Pasini A. Effect of UV radiation on photoinhibition of marine macrophytes in culture systems. J Appl Phycol. 2000;12(2):159–68. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008176314254
  38. 38. Dobretsov S, Véliz K, Romero MS, Tala F, Thiel M. Impact of UV radiation on the red seaweed Gelidium lingulatum and its associated bacteria. Eur J Phycol. 2021;56(2):129–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2020.1775309
  39. 39. Barrado-Moreno MM, Beltrán-Heredia J, Martín-Gallardo J. Degradation of microalgae from freshwater by UV radiation. J Ind Eng Chem. 2017;48:1–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiec.2016.12.031
  40. 40. Chen ES, Bridgeman TB. The reduction of Chlorella vulgaris concentrations through UV-C radiation treatments: A nature-based solution (NBS). Environ Res. 2017;156:183–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.03.007
  41. 41. Tao Y, Zhang X, Au DW, Mao X, Yuan K. The effects of sub-lethal UV-C irradiation on growth and cell integrity of cyanobacteria and green algae. Chemosphere. 2010;78(5):541–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.11.016
  42. 42. Martin RB, Markus DD, Sutherland TA. The effect of ultraviolet light (UV-C) on marine phytoplankton fluorescence. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2018.
  43. 43. Ji NH, Chen FH, Pang ZZ. Composition identification and UV-C irradiation growth inhibition effect of green shading on the greenhouse cover. Sci Total Environ. 2022;850:158024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158024
  44. 44. Sari LA, Melva E, Aldilameta S, Istiqomah N, Dewi NN, Arsad S, et al. Oxidation stress of UV-C light on growth, carotenoids and chlorophyll-a content of Chlorella vulgaris. Hayati J Biosci. 2025;32(3):819–28. https://doi.org/10.4308/hjb.32.3.819-828
  45. 45. Dai R, Xiong Y, Ma Y, Tang T. Algae removal performance of UV-radiation-enhanced coagulation for two representative algal species. Sci Total Environ. 2020;745:141013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141013
  46. 46. Tekiner M, Ak İ, Kurt M. Impact of UV-C radiation on growth of micro and macro algae in irrigation systems. Sci Total Environ. 2019;672:81–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.460
  47. 47. Barrett DP, Subbaraj AK, Wargent JJ, Minor MA, Peterson P, Lun DJ, et al. Ultra-violet induced biochemical changes in an invasive weed and their implications for plant-biocontrol agent interactions. J Chem Ecol. 2026;52(2):25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-026-01699-2
  48. 48. Araújo RG, Alcantar-Rivera B, Meléndez-Sánchez ER, Martínez-Prado MA, Sosa-Hernández JE, Iqbal HM, et al. Effects of UV and UV-vis irradiation on the production of microalgae and macroalgae: New alternatives to produce photobioprotectors and biomedical compounds. Molecules. 2022;27(16):5334. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27165334
  49. 49. Prathima R, Basalingappa KM, Arjun KR, Kanavi G, Suresh J, Murugesan K, et al. Fluorescence capturing behaviour of cyanobacterial resilience: Insights into UV-exposed ecosystems and its environmental applications. Luminescence. 2024;39(9). https://doi.org/10.1002/bio.4898
  50. 50. Dinc SK, Vural OA, Kayhan FE, San Keskin NO. Facile biogenic selenium nanoparticle synthesis, characterization and effects on oxidative stress generated by UV in microalgae. Particuology. 2022;70:30–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2021.12.005
  51. 51. Naik A, Smithers M, Moisander PH. Impacts of UV-C irradiation on marine biofilm community succession. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2022;88(4). https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02298-21
  52. 52. Mutschlechner M, Chisté D, Hauptmann D, Schöbel H. Ultraviolet (spot) light on water treatment: Targeting inactivation efficiency and stress responses of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria using UV-B and UV-C LEDs. Water. 2024;16(14):2028. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16142028
  53. 53. Choi JH, Shin J, Yoon S, Jang T, Lee J, Kim HK, et al. Bacteria and cyanobacteria inactivation using UV-C, UV-C/H2O2 and solar/H2O2 processes: A comparative study. Water. 2024;16(17):2392. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16172392
  54. 54. Barancheshme F, Sikon K, Keen O. Loss of toxicity of microcystins in UV/H2O2 and UV/Cl2 treatment. J Water Process Eng. 2024;57:104707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104707
  55. 55. Afzal A, Oppenländer T, Bolton JR, El-Din MG. Anatoxin-a degradation by advanced oxidation processes: Vacuum-UV at 172 nm, photolysis using medium pressure UV and UV/H2O2. Water Res. 2010;44(1):278–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2009.09.021
  56. 56. Ghimire B, Pendyala B, Patras A, Baysal-Gurel F. Assessing the efficacy of UV-C light for the inactivation of Phytopythium and Phytophthora species in water: A mathematical modeling approach using an ultraviolet light-emitting-diode system. PhytoFrontiers. 2024;4(3):347–59. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-07-23-0095-R
  57. 57. MacIsaac SA, Rauch KD, Prest T, Simons RM, Gagnon GA, Stoddart AK. Improved disinfection performance for 280 nm LEDs over 254 nm low-pressure UV lamps in community wastewater. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):7576. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34633-7
  58. 58. Rycroft T, Fernando B, Mayo ML. Using an ultraviolet-enabled boat to reduce microcystin and suppress cyanobacterial growth in harmful algal bloom-impacted surface waters. Appl Sci. 2025;15(12):6765. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15126765
  59. 59. Karwowska B, Sperczyńska E, Dąbrowska L. Water treatment in hybrid connection of coagulation, ozonation, UV irradiation and adsorption processes. Water. 2021;13(13):1748. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13131748
  60. 60. Li S, Tao Y, Zhan XM, Dao GH, Hu HY. UV-C irradiation for harmful algal blooms control: A literature review on effectiveness, mechanisms, influencing factors and facilities. Sci Total Environ. 2020;723:137986. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137986
  61. 61. Orellana-Garcia F, Alvarez MA, Lopez-Ramon V, Rivera-Utrilla J, Sanchez-Polo M, Mota AJ. Photodegradation of herbicides with different chemical natures in aqueous solution by ultraviolet radiation: Effects of operational variables and solution chemistry. Chem Eng J. 2014;255:307–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2014.06.047
  62. 62. Papagiannaki D, Medana C, Binetti R, Calza P, Roslev P. Effect of UV-A, UV-B and UV-C irradiation of glyphosate on photolysis and mitigation of aquatic toxicity. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):20247. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-76241-9
  63. 63. Wang F, Tao B. Photodegradation of diquat in water under UV irradiation: Identification of transformation products and elucidation of photodegradation pathway. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025;291:117912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.117912
  64. 64. Wickham P, Pandey P, Harter T, Sandovol-Solis S. UV light and temperature induced fluridone degradation in water and sediment and potential transport into aquifer. Environ Pollut. 2020;265:114750. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114750
  65. 65. Plaziak DM. Mr. Mike Plaziak, Executive Officer. South Lake Tahoe (CA): Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board; 2025 Feb 28.
  66. 66. Herbert L, Zanga A, Kinsler D, Ayala V, Kamla AT, Diaz R. Optimizing aquatic weed management in Lake Ossa, Cameroon: Harnessing the power of biological control and real-time satellite monitoring. Biol Control. 2024;199:105650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105650
  67. 67. Verma S, Sillanpää M. Degradation of anatoxin-a by UV-C LED and UV-C LED/H2O2 advanced oxidation processes. Chem Eng J. 2015;274:274–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.03.128
  68. 68. Verma S, Nakamura S, Sillanpää M. Application of UV-C LED activated PMS for the degradation of anatoxin-a. Chem Eng J. 2016;284:122–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.08.095
  69. 69. Xue W, Zhang C, Cui H, Zhou D. Potential of ozone-ultraviolet combined technology on mitigating the aquatic risks of receiving river: The significance of dissolved organic matter. J Clean Prod. 2025;519:146022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.146022
  70. 70. Paoluccio JJ, Paoluccio JA, inventors. Short-wavelength ultraviolet light array for aquatic invasive weed species control apparatus and method. United States patent US 9622465. 2017.
  71. 71. Pelayo D, Rivero MJ, Santos G, Gómez P, Ortiz I. Techno-economic evaluation of UV light technologies in water remediation. Sci Total Environ. 2023;868:161376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161376
  72. 72. Luo X, Zhang B, Lu Y, Mei Y, Shen L. Advances in application of ultraviolet irradiation for biofilm control in water and wastewater infrastructure. J Hazard Mater. 2022;421:126682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126682
  73. 73. Howell AW, Leon RG, Everman WJ, Mitasova H, Nelson SA, Richardson RJ. Performance of unoccupied aerial application systems for aquatic weed management: Two novel case studies. Weed Technol. 2023;37(3):277–86. https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2023.32
  74. 74. Brinkhoff J, Hornbuckle J, Barton JL. Assessment of aquatic weed in irrigation channels using UAV and satellite imagery. Water. 2018;10(11):1497. https://doi.org/10.3390/w10111497
  75. 75. Palanikkumar D, Anuradha T, Ramalingam J, Sivaraju SS. A hybrid machine learning strategy for aquatic plant surveillance in sustainable aqua-ecosystems using IoT attributes. Aquaculture. 2025;609:742779. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.742779
  76. 76. Palani Raja T, Sathappan V, Shibie RM, Subeshan M, Valliappan V. AI-powered drone and harvesting system for aquatic weed management. Int J Appl Inf Commun Eng. 2025;11(2):1–6.
  77. 77. Patel M, Jernigan S, Richardson R, Ferguson S, Buckner G. Autonomous robotics for identification and management of invasive aquatic plant species. Appl Sci. 2019;9(12):2410. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9122410
  78. 78. Klátyik S, Simon G, Oláh M, Takács E, Mesnage R, Antoniou MN, et al. Aquatic ecotoxicity of glyphosate, its formulations and co-formulants: Evidence from 2010 to 2023. Environ Sci Eur. 2024;36(1):22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-024-00849-1
  79. 79. Gomes MP, Dos Santos MP, De Freitas PL, Schafaschek AM, De Barros EN, Kitamura RS, et al. The aquatic macrophyte Salvinia molesta mitigates herbicides (glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid) effects to aquatic invertebrates. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2023;30(5):12348–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23012-w

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.