CYANOS is a two-year project (January 2018 -December 2019) with interdisciplinary activities that combines surface water monitoring and on-site water treatment for the restoration of eutrophic surface waters. The project will address issues related to eutrophication, water scarcity, global warming, and climate change that greatly contribute in surface waters quality deterioration and availability, and force the usage of reduced quality water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Specifically, CYANOS aims to monitor the seasonal variation of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyano-HABs) in the surface waters of Cyprus and France and explore emerging on-site treatments to control their formation. Since the scientific knowledge regarding cyanobacterial harmful bloom formations (Cyano-HABs) in Cyprus is scarce, researcher from the University of Rennes 1, France will lead the monitoring and sample characterization for cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins efforts. On the other hand, the AQUA group of the Cyprus University of Technology, will be in charge on the application of emerging technologies for the on-site treatment of cyano-HABs.
OBJECTIVES
To identify the taxonomy of microalgae and cyanobacteria using microscopy and camera imaging tools, as well as molecular tools after sampling surface water bodies of Cyprus. Miltible samples (fresh and preserved in lugol solution) from different parts of the Polemidia Dam in Cyprus and use various identification/characterization techniques of the phytoplankton. In addition to the regular parameters monitored by probes (i.e, T, DO, pH, conductivity) on-site, phycocyanin, a pigment specific to cyanobacteria will be monitored as well. The overall aim of this task is for the AQUA group members to receive training in the taxonomy of microalgae and cyanobacteria using microscopy and camera imaging tools. If new species are detected, they will be crossed referenced with the database that French group has. Finally, the samples will be analyzed for intracellular and extracellular cyanotoxins through liquid chromatography.
To develop a monitoring strategy and an early warning system for diagnosing cyano-HABs on surface waters based on simple tools such as probes (i.e., for the detection of phycocyanin a pigment found only in cyanobacteria), followed by analysis of the physicochemical parameters of the water column. The results obtained from the seasonal sampling will be utilized for the development of the strategic monitoring plan.
To test the efficiency of a relative new on-site treatment for controlling the blooming and the appearance of cyanobacteria. Besides the effective dose for each surface water tested, a link between the water properties, cyanobacterial species and effective dose will be attempted. Tha aim is for the French parnters to receive training on the new at source treatments that the WTL-AQUA has dveloped. In addition, the intracellular and the extracellular cyanotoxin concentration of each sample will be evaluated prior and following treatment. Finally, the effectiveness of each method will be also evaluated in terms of cost.