Greenevo » Eutrophication of lakes: Causes, Effects, Prevention

Eutrophication of lakes is a process that proceeds slowly in nature, and has been accelerated as a result of human activities. It consists in excessive fertilization of water reservoirs, which leads to the growth of algae and cyanobacteria, reduces the oxygen content in water, causes the death of plants and animals, and as a result, the water reservoir gradually overgrows.

Causes of eutrophication of lakes

The causes of eutrophication of lakes are nitrogen and phosphorus compounds from fertilizers that end up in lakes and rivers. Also, individual sewage containing detergents and sewage as well as industrial sewage, after getting into lakes, can cause excessive growth of algae and blue-green algae. The clearing of forests along the shores of lakes, which leads to soil erosion and the introduction of large amount of sediments and nutrients into water reservoirs, is also significant. Climate changes, affecting the increase in water temperature, only accelerate the process of excessive fertilization of lakes.

How to prevent eutrophication

Eutrophication can be stopped by preventing the discharge of municipal and industrial sewage directly into water reservoirs or the ground. Sewage treatment, which significantly reduces the amount of nutrients reaching the lakes, and the reasonable management of fertilizers by farmers also play a significant role. They should use formulations as directed to avoid excessive leaching of nutrients from fields into nearby rivers and lakes.

Reclamation of lakes

A relatively new way to prevent eutrophication is lake reclamation. Originally, it was carried out by mechanically removing the sediment layer from the bottom of the water reservoir. Such a procedure is expensive and causes problems with the management of the generated waste. The PROTE-fos technology, developed by the company “PROTE – Technologie dla Środowiska”, winner of the GreenEvo program, is less invasive and cheaper than mechanical removal of sediments, and above all, it effectively stops the process of lake disappearance.

What is PROTE-fos technology

PROTE-fos is an innovative solution that blocks phosphorus directly in bottom sediments, which significantly reduces the growth of algae and cyanobacterial blooms. This solution is based on feeding special substances directly into the sludge. The treatment is carried out using a specially designed vessel called PROTEUS, which consists of two modules: surface and underwater. The latter, moving along the bottom of the reservoir, precisely doses the appropriate chemicals, which consist of compounds naturally present in lakes, thus regulating and effectively accelerating the process of natural self-purification.

Technology improves the condition of lakes

Thanks to the PROTE-fos technology, it is possible to restore the balance of the lake ecosystem and protect the aquatic environment.

The advantages of the PROTE-fos technology include: innovation, comprehensiveness, effectiveness, and what seems to be the most important, the guarantee of an ecological effect. The benefits of using technology are felt by plants, animals and people.