CHARM – CHAllenges of Reservoir Management, which will investigate the influence of management strategies on the development of cyanobacterial blooms in reservoirs/ barrages. The main goal of our Work Package 3- Cyanobacteria, is to understand the processes that lead to a mass reproduction of cyanobacterial strains in reservoirs/ barrages.
Cyanobacteria are important primary producer in almost every aquatic ecosystem including artificial water reservoirs used for ecosystem services like self-purification, production of drinking water, recreational activities and energy supply. Cyanobacteria are also known to produce a variety of toxins. Certain environmental conditions and anthropogenic influence can lead to dense colonies within the water body - called harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCB). HCBs are known for their harmful effect on the aquatic ecosystem like the loss of biodiversity and even frequently resulting in human and animal poisoning events. Water reservoirs have a higher risk to experience HCBs due to their management strategies and increased nutrient input.
The two doctoral projects will explore the physicochemical and biological factors triggering bloom formation and toxin production in a water reservoir used for hydropower to establish future monitoring and management strategies. Main focus is (1) the toxin production of cyanobacteria, water level fluctuations, mixing events due to reservoir management and climatic influences and (2) the trophic interaction in the food web and how this is influenced by water level fluctuations caused by barrage operations and input of nutrients. The project will include outdoor work (Schwarzenbachtalsperre, Nordschwarzwald) as well as experimental work in the laboratory with different cyanobacterial strains and their potential grazers.
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