The cooling stopped the growth of algae in the lake
The cooling at the beginning of September stopped the growth of algae in Lake Balaton, according to the results of the latest open water measurements, the mass of algae in the Keszthely Bay, where the highest value was previously measured, has decreased drastically, Lajos Vörös, a researcher at the Balaton Institute of Limnology (BLI), told the MTI with on Friday.
According to the researcher's report, measurements were taken at five locations in the lake's open water this week, which indicated that the algae population had begun to die. After a value of over 100, the a-chlorophyll concentration, which characterizes the amount of algae, dropped again to below 40 micrograms/liter in the Keszthely Bay. He added that there may be different values from the open water measurements in the coastal, shallow water parts and bays of the lake.
The professor emphasized that the rapid improvement of the situation does not mean that the cause of the extraordinary algae invasion at the end of August does not need to be found out as soon as possible. He also reported that the BLI has had a series of data on Lake Balaton since 1965, which shows that before 2019, the last time there was an objectionable level of algae growth in the open water of the lake was in 1994.
The responses of the Somogyi and Zala government offices to MTI's inquiry revealed that, based on tests, the waters of all beaches were found to be suitable for bathing during the season, and that no values were found on the beaches that would make bathing a health risk, even in the first days of September.
According to the Somogy County Government Office, 59 natural bathing places were operating on the southern shore of Lake Balaton this summer, mostly from June 7 to September 1. In order to monitor the bathing water in accordance with the legislation, the operators took one sample each month, the values of which were evaluated by accredited laboratories.
"The condition of the bathing waters in our area at the time of the inspections did not indicate the proliferation of cyanobacteria, and the operators did not report any signs of this during the season. The decrease in temperature and air movement significantly reduce the chances of cyanobacteria proliferation, so after the summer season, there is even less chance of its occurrence" - according to the information of the government office in Somogy.
This year, 8 natural bathing places were operating in the Balaton Zala county area this summer. The bathing place that has been open for the longest time also officially closed last weekend - according to the relevant government office. The water quality was tested 3-6 times before the beaches opened and during the season. If the bath water is bluish-green, cloudy, foaming, cyanobacterial cell count, chlorophyll and toxin tests are also performed.
"The bathing water test results sampled before the season were not objected to this year either, bathing water discoloration was reported once during the season, after which the competent authority carried out the necessary tests on all licensed beaches. The results did not exceed the objectionable level defined in the legislation" - according to the information provided by the Zala County Government Office.
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