CyanoControl

Around the world, the frequency and intensity of cyanobacterial blooms in lakes and coasts are increasing. This project will work with a real-time early warning system for risk assessment and forecasting of cyanobacterials in lakes, streams and coast.

Around the world, the frequency and intensity of cyanobacterial blooms in lakes and coasts are increasing. About 70% of freshwater blooms are toxic and the scientific literature agrees that cyanobacterial blooms and toxin production will increase due to climate change. Access to healthy lakes and watercourses is therefore one of today’s biggest challenges. This creates challenges for drinking water producers to clean the water and monitor the levels of toxins. Even lakes/coasts used for recreation by the public are affected where there are risks to both humans and animals to be affected by cyanotoxins in a harmful way, possibly with fatal outcome.

We have therefore prepared a project proposal to create a package of measures to strategically treat affected areas. The package consists of selected technologies that together constitute a unified solution to monitor and treat algae blooms.

The solution is intended to provide a robust defence and be a preventive measure to maintain healthy water bodies. The technologies we are interested to further develop and link together are:

1. An early warning system combining real-time monitoring system for risk assessment and forecasting of cyanobacterial blooms in lakes, streams and coasts.

2. Sensors for online monitoring of cyanotoxin levels

3. Ultrasound to remove cyanobacteria

4. Two methods for rapid decomposition of cyanotoxins

Project partners and financing

The constellation consists of a strong consortium consisting of Capsenze Biosystems AB, Kristianstad University, LG Sonic, D3Z Environmental Solutions, Vultus, Sydvatten AB, Gotland Municipality, Skellefteå Municipality, Luleå Municipality, Åland Vatten AB and the National Food Agency.

Funding: Vinnova.