Diego Sanchez
Environmental engineering
Hometown: Apache Junction, Arizona, United States
Graduation date: Spring 2026
Additional details: First-generation college student
FURI | Spring 2026
Ozone Nanobubbles for Larvae Control in Freshwater Canals
This study evaluates the effectiveness of ozone nanobubbles as a strategy for controlling caddisfly larvae (Smicridea) in freshwater canal systems. Ozone nanobubbles may overcome key limitations of conventional gas-to-liquid injection in urban canals, where water flow often compromises precise and sustained oxidant delivery. Laboratory experiments exposed larvae to increasing ozone concentrations of 1, 2, and 4 ppm for 60 minutes. Qualitative observations of behavioral response indicate a concentration-dependent effect. A novel movement-tracking method developed in this work could further strengthen these findings by providing a more quantitative assessment of larval activity. Together, these results suggest that ozone nanobubbles may provide a scalable and sustainable technology for the control of nuisance aquatic insects, with possible future applications for managing the larvae of vector-associated insects.
Mentor: Sergi Garcia Segura
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