The ‘Golden Algae’, a consequence of negative human activities, was the cause of an ecological disaster on the Odra river two years ago, and this year, among other places in the Gliwicki Canal. This is one of the few species of brackish algae residing in inland waters. Thus, high salinity in rivers and lakes supports its development. However, even without salinity, other algae would appear in fresh waters, the blooms of which could present an even bigger problem for aquatic ecosystems. Scientists from IMGW-PIB highlight that the primary cause of excessive algal blooms is the excessive number of nutrients, essential food compounds. Saltwater provides the ‘right climate’ for golden algae to live, but for the completion of all life activities, these food compounds are necessary.
– Salinity is not the most serious problem, even though it is, of course, a very important one. Without salinity issues, there would be no golden algae, as it is a brackish species. However, we are also dealing with a very high amount of nutrients in the water. If there is no golden algae, then other algae will appear in their place, which must utilize the food available there – says professor Robert Czerniawski, director of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute in Warsaw, and the director of the Institute of Biology at the University of Szczecin.
In contrast to the Odra, where the salty environment conducive to the development of golden algae has formed, the Warta is not salted. However, as scientists point out, it contains more nutrients than the Odra and algae blooms there are more intense.
– Nutrients, such as sewage or fertilizer residues flowing from fields, and even industrial sewage containing a high amount of phosphorus and nitrogen, are as much of a problem as salinity for golden algae. Salinity positively affects only the golden algae. If we look at the physical-chemical composition of saline water, colloquially called brine, it is of very good quality aside from being salted. After all, these are the groundwaters, so they are characterized by good quality if we discuss all other compounds. The only downside is that they are salty, nothing more. If we could desalinate them, the water flowing into the Gliwicki Canal and the Odra would be, I don’t want to risk it, but I will say, of nearly ideal quality, hence diluting that which is worst – the scientist underlines.
Algae blooms do not have such negative effects as in the case of the Odra, as these microorganisms do not produce toxic prymnesin. However, they still remain a severe problem.
– Algae, organisms that aren’t visible to the naked eye individually, constitute one of the biggest ecological problems in the world – says professor Robert Czerniawski. – They hinder our economy, they hinder our everyday cultural and social life in the proximity of such basins subjected to intense algal blooms.
Polish scientists from IMGW and Ecco Logic company, along with specialists from the University of Gdansk, University of Szczecin, University of Warmia and Mazury, Warsaw University of Technology and Czestochowa University of Technology, developed the SinStop technology, which completely eradicates golden algae cells. The preparation is also effective in fighting cyanobacteria and, importantly, is entirely natural, so it does not harm animals living in the water.
– The technological process leads to the coagulation of various nutrients present in the water but also eliminates algae, not only golden algae with which we currently have an issue. Thanks to this, we can at least try not to let fish die from not only prymnesin production by golden algae but also from oxygenation and hypoxia of water bodies due to very intense blooms of all algae, not only golden algae – the professor convinces.
The algae problem not only relates to freshwaters but also seawater. At the beginning of August, a beach in Swinoujscie was closed after algae appeared there. In this case, the problem was mainly recreational – decomposing algae did not pose a risk to humans’ health, but their decomposition was accompanied by an unpleasant smell. The decomposition processes affect the oxygen consumption from the water, which can have negative consequences for marine organisms. For humans, cyanobacteria, often appearing in resorts on the Baltic Sea, are dangerous. The toxins they produce can be hazardous to human health.
– Nature is not to blame here; they just found the right place for them, and since nature hates emptiness, it utilized this niche, and algae appeared here instead of vascular plants. This is normal. We created an enormous problem for ourselves – indicates the director of IMGW-PIB. – All these measures that have been constantly appearing for at least 40–50 years do not eliminate the cause, but the effect. However, the cause still threatens these basins. Such measures work, as professor Wziątek said, a bit like a respirator, if we turn off the respirator, the problem will start again. So applying different measures is, of course, ad hoc, remedial, preventive, but it does not fight the cause.
