The method uses algae-killing bacteria, nano-technology and water plants, Fudan officials announced yesterday. The plan has been submitted to environmental protection authorities in the city and neighboring areas for larger feasibility studies.

The recent green-blue algae outbreak was caused by eutrophication, which means the water's richness in mineral and organic nutrients promoted a proliferation of plant life such as algae.

After repeated lab experiments, researchers at Fudan's environmental sciences and engineering department managed to discover a bacteria that can soak up excess nutrients in the water.

"Lack of nutrients will naturally hinder the growth of algae," said Wang Xiangrong, a Fudan professor and the research program leader.

He added the bacteria was even able to secrete a cellulose-dissolvable enzyme that could directly kill the toxic algae.

Meanwhile, chemistry scholars also tried to fuse copper ions on magnetic nano-materials, as copper ions can bind with algae toxin. By scattering the special nano-material into water and using another magnet to draw it up, people can separate algae toxins from the water and reduce pollution.

Preliminary lab experiments suggested that the nano-magnet technology was able to reduce algae toxins by more than 90 percent. The findings have been published in Small, an international academic journal of nano- and micro-sciences, according to Deng Chunhui, professor at Fudan's school of chemistry.

In addition, three undergraduate students at Fudan also worked out a scheme to curb water eutrophication by planting two ornamental plants. The technology of treating water with nutrient-absorbing plants has been awarded a national patent, Fudan officials said.