The algae situation on Lake Balaton is stable

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 07. 22. 11:02

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Despite the intense heat that has lasted for two weeks, the algae situation in Lake Balaton remains stable, HelloVidék reported. According to Boglárka Somogyi, head of the Hydrobotanical and Microbial Ecology Research Group of the Balaton Limnological Research Institute, although the algal biomass increased somewhat with the beginning of the summer period, the prolonged heat did not result in a significant change in the amount of algae.

Boglárka Somogyi said that high temperatures alone do not cause mass production of algae, as long as phosphorus limits the growth of algae. According to the National Directorate General of Water, up to 6 million cubic meters of water can evaporate from the lake per day during the persistent hot weather, which poses additional challenges for water management.

The researcher revealed that algae growth in Lake Balaton is primarily controlled by the external phosphorus load from the catchment area, as well as the phosphorus accumulated in the lake’s sediment. If the physical and chemical environment allows, the accumulated phosphorus can be released, increasing the chance of algae growth. However, the water temperature of the lake is currently uniformly between 28-30 degrees Celsius, so temperature stratification, which would cause algae blooms, is not expected.

Boglárka Somogyi added that, under the current conditions, no algae bloom is expected in the next week or two, and no longer-term forecast can be given. The fact that the situation remains stable proves that the Balaton ecosystem can adapt to extreme weather conditions.