Evaporation protection

[Former Oceano]

To appear in Le Monde of 12/03/06 an article on a Brazilian discovery in order to reduce the evaporation of water in the reserves:

he powder from the Brazilian company Lotus Quimica Ambiental is not yet on the market, but from 2007 it could alleviate the thirst of those who lack water. A theme that will be addressed in the 4th Forum World Water Festival which takes place from March 16 to 22 in Mexico City.

Tests, already conclusive, have shown that this powder composed of surfactants and calcium has the power, when deposited on the surface of water, to slow down its evaporation. A particularly interesting characteristic in regions like the Brazilian Northeast, semi-arid, where the rays of the sun cause the drying of 40% of the rainwater accumulated in makeshift reservoirs, the açudes, dug in the ground.


Experiments carried out in particular at the Broa dam in the State of Sao Paulo have shown that the thin film of powder formed on the surface reduces evaporation by half. In 48 hours, this substance dissolves naturally, and must be spread again, at the price of 8 euros per kilo per hectare. The nature of the water does not change: dirty, it remains so, drinkable too. The fish do not suffer because the product is not toxic. It is simple to spread, manually, and its composition allows packaging and easy transport.

Born in a business incubator, in the university city of Sao Paulo, Lotus Quimica Ambiental is still a very small structure directed by Marcos Gugliotti, engineer in physics and chemistry of the University of Sao Paulo. This scientist, who looked for work for two years before creating his own structure, admits that he did not invent the process, which is 80 years old, but improved and made it viable, in particular by using biodegradable products, in accordance with the ecological requirements of the United Nations Agenda 21.

Today, this engineer wants to carry out final tests, on lakes of 80 to 100 km2, to assess the efficiency on large areas, pending the issuance of his patent. Contacted by several companies, Mr. Gugliotti is now seeking to conclude an industrial partnership agreement to produce and export, in very sunny areas, his water evaporation reducer. He just wants to stay a researcher, and hopes that this powder can help him finance other projects for his laboratory.

Annie Gasnier (Sao Paulo, correspondence)
Article published in the edition of 12.03.06