Abstract

Naturally occurring non-polluted water typically sustains a balanced coexistence of multiple life forms referred to as ecosystems. The types and relative abundance of the life forms comprising each ecosystem vary widely and are largely determined by environmental factors. Moreover, a well-functioning ecosystem contributes to the overall functionality of larger groupings of interactive ecosystems. Energy is needed to maintain the stability of each ecosystem. Potentially detrimental changes commonly occur within an ecosystem due to environmental changes, including the addition of certain foreign chemicals to the water. These changes will typically evoke a series of adaptations that collectively restore the water’s sustainable and balanced life-supporting capacities. These adaptations are referred to as Nature’s allostasis and require additional energy. There are limits, however, to the levels of disruptions, which can be reversed by Nature’s allostasis. These limits are defined as tipping points beyond which the water is functionally impaired. Furthermore, the levels of impairments can progressively worsen with the increasing unbalanced proliferation of certain life forms and the increasing accumulation of toxic chemicals. The thesis of this article is that the failures of Nature’s allostasis can be attributed to insufficient energy. Conversely, Nature’s allostasis can potentially be restored by the provision of additional energy. It is further postulated that Nature uses an environmental force termed KELEA, an acronym for Kinetic Energy Limiting Electrostatic Attraction, as its major source of allostasis-restoring energy. Methods are available to increase the KELEA levels of water. One such method involves the use of relatively few pellets comprising volcanic rock materials that are pulverized into fine particles and heated to partial melting temperatures, followed by slow cooling before pelleting. A commercial product is marketed as Kiko Technology. Kiko pellets are being used in conjunction with biochar and additional nutrients to improve the quality of the water in several US locations, including Spirit Lake, Iowa. The improvements have occurred in a stepwise manner, which is consistent with other means becoming progressively available within the improving ecosystems for attracting additional KELEA into the water. A series of experiments are outlined to further clarify the KELEA Assisted Restoration of Nature’s Allostasis (KARNA). Improved quality of inland water will have secondary health, agricultural, and industrial benefits. Levels of chemical pollution of water should not be allowed to exceed those correctable by Nature’s allostasis.

Keywords:Nature’s allostasis; KELEA, KARNA; Water pollution; Tipping points; Kiko technology; biochar; Blue green algae; Cyanobacteria; Zebra mussels; Quagga mussels; Beneficial microbes; Beaver; Invasive species; Toxic chemicals