Our systems in zoos, aquaria and dolphinaria

Aquionincs systems are installed in many zoos, aquaria and dolphinaria to control the growth of algae and water-borne pathogens. The equipment is based on both special low pressure and medium pressure UV lamp technology. Due to the presence of the animals' faeces, urine, body fats, as well as parasites and food debris, there is usually a high potential for fouling of the quartz sleeves surrounding the UV lamps. An effective cleaning mechanism is therefore essential to prevent fouling and to keep the quartz sleeves clean, ensuring optimum disinfection levels at all times.

For Aquaria, such as the one at Artis Zoo in Amsterdam, Berson supplied medium pressure UV systems fitted with automatic cleaning mechanisms. Medium-pressure UV was necessary to prevent the growth of the typical parasites present in aquaria - most of these parasites are resistant to UV, so must to be treated with high intensity lamps that combine a wide range of UV wavelengths (200 - 400 nm). Medium pressure lamps can treat both fresh water and sea water and are unaffected by extremes of water temperature.

At the Noorderdierenpark Zoo in Emmen, the Netherlands, a Berson medium pressure UV system fitted with a cleaning mechanism disinfects wastewater following membrane filtration. The treated wastewater is then re-used in various parts of the zoo.

In another installation at a dolfinarium in Harderwijk, the Netherlands, Berson medium pressure UV systems treat water in an artificial seawater lake , called Odiezee,inhabited by dolphins, sea lions, fish and other marine organisms. A large underwater viewing window was becoming obscured by algal growth in the summer, so the UV systems were installed to improve visibility by preventing algal growth. Another UV system treats water in a ray pool. Because children touch the rays as they swim past there is a possibility of them picking up pathogens introduced into the water by the rays (for example from faecal matter). The Aquionincs systems destroy these water-borne pathogens and keep the children free from possible infection.