Earth’s water is having an oxygen problem. Recent research suggests that, over the past 100 years, hypoxia – the technical term for oxygen depletion in water – has been accelerated by human activities such as farming (specifically, pesticide use), wastewater, dams, and a warming climate, all of which disrupt the normal functions of our freshwater ecosystems. This is resulting in disruptions to critical habitats and ultimately damages our drinking water.
But there is a way to breathe life back into “dead” water. One such remedy comes in the form of new “gas infusion” technology that has already proven effective – reviving a stagnant pond on Richard Branson’s Necker Island.
To learn more about the technology and the solutions it offers, Digital Journal sat down with Max MacKenzie, Founder and CEO of Prosper Technologies, which is developing applications to license its gas infusion technology to various sectors including consumer goods, healthcare and wellness, agriculture, aquaculture, energy, environmental, and water treatment.
Digital Journal: How are our freshwater ponds, lakes and reservoirs running out of oxygen?
Max MacKenzie: According to the available research, and in the simplest terms, these waters are consuming more oxygen than they are producing. This is being caused by the introduction of nutrients that feed algae growth. If the algae blooms grow large enough, they can suffocate the water by consuming oxygen during their decomposition cycle. When this happens, the fish die, and the ecosystem falls like dominos.
DJ: You say your technology can help. How?
MacKenzie: The primary solution to hypoxia is to infuse oxygen back into the water. Until now, there have been few technologies that perform this task with enough efficiency and consistency – and at a low enough cost – to make a substantial difference. What we have created is a way to instantaneously infuse supersaturated levels of oxygen into liquids, while simultaneously removing other harmful gases.
DJ: How do you accomplish this?
MacKenzie: We have developed a patented nanotechnology called Gas Infusion (GI) that utilizes a gas infusion module consisting of Microporous Hollow Fibers (MHF). The value proposition of our technology is the MHF modules allow for the infusion of gases such as oxygen in a bubble-less manner, creating a stable liquid stream containing enormous quantities of dissolved gas via the most cost and energy efficient process in the world.
DJ: You’ve tested this method?
MacKenzie: Yes. In fact, our technology has been proven in the marketplace for over a decade and has been the basis of many peer-reviewed and published papers. Prosper’s GI process has been independently reviewed by government agencies such as the National Resource Council and RPC Scientific & Engineering in Canada.
DJ: You say Richard Branson has endorsed your process. How did that happen?
MacKenzie: Prosper was presented with the opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of our oxygen infusion technology on Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island. The area targeted for demonstration was the Necker Lake and Flamingo Pond. Both bodies of water are salt ponds that had experienced declining health to the point they were anoxic. We installed our patented oxygen infusers in the lake in November 2016. The chemical-free application increased oxygen levels in the lake by over 1,500% in just 35 days, triggering a bioremediation process that consumed and removed harmful elements and their associated odor.
The health of the lake has significantly changed and now supports aquatic life, with the flamingos and other wildlife once again becoming a vital living part of the island’s ecosystem. Mr. Branson rarely puts his stamp of approval on a product or technology solution. We’re proud that he offered a testimonial that we are allowed to share with the public!
DJ: You say that your technology offers significant cost-savings over existing methods. Can you explain?
MacKenzie: Unlike bubble-based aeration systems that lose most of the oxygen to the atmosphere, Prosper’s technology uses microporous hollow fiber membranes to infuse oxygen directly into water without forming bubbles, enabling stable supersaturation and dramatically higher transfer efficiency. Our system achieves greater oxygen saturation at just 20–30 psi, compared to the 100 psi or more required by competing diffuser and injector technologies—cutting energy use and lowering operating costs by 30–50%, while enhancing biological treatment and overall water quality.
DJ: Can this process be used in any body of water?
MacKenzie: Yes. Our technology is designed to adapt to various industries and ecosystems including both saltwater and freshwater, from preventing toxic algae blooms to enhancing wastewater treatment and improving aquatic habitats. Also, not only can it infuse oxygen, but we can deploy our technology for any gas in nearly any environment, from municipal drinking water reservoirs to live fish shipping containers to beverage distilleries. We can even support mining operations by enhancing mineral extraction and improving environmental remediation.
DJ: How is the technology being deployed now?
MacKenzie: We are currently completing the installation of our 1st aeration system at a wastewater facility in Brazil, which we will announce soon. We are also engaged with five of the six largest water companies in South America on projects ranging from improving process efficiency at industrial wastewater treatment plants, to drinking water pretreatment at reservoirs, to restoring oxygen in vital marine eco-systems.
DJ: What’s next for Prosper Technologies?
MacKenzie: Following our successful deployment in Brazil, we’re looking to expand into key markets across the U.S. and Europe, where municipalities are actively seeking sustainable solutions for wastewater reservoir treatment, and marine ecosystem restoration. We’re currently in active negotiations with several public and private sector partners and expect to announce the launch of two groundbreaking water treatment systems designed to leverage green energy and AI to further enhance Prosper’s ability to address some of the world’s most pressing water challenges.
