Swiss Research Reveals Complex Nature of Toxic Algae Control

Federal Institute finds no universal solution for combating toxic algae blooms in Swiss lakes, highlighting need for lake-specific approaches

There is no universal solution for treating toxic blue-green algae blooms in Swiss lakes
Blue-green algae are actually bacteria (cyanobacteria), not true algae
Researchers analyzed 850 samples from Lake Greifensee
Traditional monitoring methods using chlorophyll pigments proved ineffective for Lake Greifensee

850

water samples analyzed

biomolecules identified for prediction in Lake Greifensee

"Methods for predicting algae blooms that work in one lake can fail completely in another"
— Eawag press release

Key Findings Challenge Universal Approach

There is no universal solution for treating toxic blue-green algae blooms in Swiss lakes
Blue-green algae are actually bacteria (cyanobacteria), not true algae
Researchers analyzed 850 samples from Lake Greifensee
Traditional monitoring methods using chlorophyll pigments proved ineffective for Lake Greifensee

850

water samples analyzed

biomolecules identified for prediction in Lake Greifensee

"Methods for predicting algae blooms that work in one lake can fail completely in another"
— Eawag press release