The Lead Partner, University of Patras, participated in the 26th Biennial Conference[ΜΕ1] on 1-4 and 8-11 November 2021 virtually. The University of Patras, presented its research results about ” Geoengineering materials for restoration of eutrophic ecosystems”.




Below you can find the abstract of the paper.
Geoengineering materials for restoration of eutrophic ecosystems
Ierotheos Zacharias and Irene Biliani
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
ABSTRACT
Eutrophication has become the primary water quality issue for most of the freshwater and coastal marine ecosystems in the world. It is one of the most visible examples of biosphere’s alteration due to human activities affecting aquatic ecosystems from the Arctic to the Antarctic. As eutrophication becomes frequent and many eutrophic ecosystems have difficulties meeting the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) criteria the removal of phosphate and/or ammonium gains great importance, in water treatment. The objective of this work is to review restoration methods of eutrophic ecosystems, emphasizing remediation methods of internal nutrient release budget as a major factor to control eutrophication. The use of phosphate inactivation agents as a restoration tool, their capacity and application methods, as well as the individual results (in water quality, algal blooms) in areas that have been implemented were also examined. Moreover, a conceptual model was conducted as a process to determine remediation technique, highlighting the need of an integrated approach to eutrophication management. The chemical lake restoration methods are not a panacea, and their implementation should consist of a targeted management approach as a part of an integrated management plan. The longevity of the treatment effectiveness using P-inactivation agents is reduced if not given the necessary importance in managing the external nutrient loads.
This work is part of the BLUE-GREENWAY Project, funded by the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Regional Cooperation, which aims to provide best practices for water bodies restoration from eutrophication and capacity management co-creative techniques to combat eutrophication resulting anoxia at the origin.
Keywords: Restoration, Eutrophication