Abstract: A method of processing water contaminated with harmful microorganisms is disclosed including drawing in a fluid that is contaminated with microorganisms from a depth of a body of the water and passing the fluid through a submerged arc to reduce populations of harmful microorganisms as well as reduce nutrient concentrations in the fluid. After flowing through the arc, the fluid is cooled before returning the fluid to the body of water.

Abstract: A system for extracting metals (e.g. precious metals or dangerous metals) from a substrate material such as sludge from a lake bed or sewage treatment facility includes processing the substrate material and metals by exposing the substrate material and metals to the plasma of an electric arc. Then, the exposed substrate material and metals are passed through an electrically charged collection grid in which the metals, now electrically charged, are attracted to the collection grid and hold to the collection grid and the substrate material exits the collection grid with less concentrations (or none) of the metals. In some embodiments, in addition to recovering the metals (e.g. precious metals, dangerous metals, etc.), a flammable gas is produced.