Projects

Adapting to climate change in urban areas: Eco-technology to stabilise the oxygen balance of water bodies (UrbanLakes)

Co-funded by the European Union, Science, Research and Innovation Programme Saxony-Anhalt (EFRE)

Duration: 01 April 2024 to 30 September 2027

Team: Dr. Jörg Tittel, Scientist NN, Engineer NN

Cooperation: ISW Magdeburg - Innovative Siedlungswasserwirtschaft

Project objectives:
Small lakes, ponds and other bodies of water are often embedded in green spaces or parks, surrounded by walking and cycling paths, offer opportunities for tranquillity and can therefore - if they exist - be described as core recreational zones. The noticeable onset of climate change about 10 years ago, and especially the years of extreme drought, have shown that small water bodies are the most sensitive to these changes: Falling water levels and overheating lead to masses of toxic blue-green algae floating to the surface, a lack of oxygen and the outgassing of hydrogen sulphide. Fishing waters were closed after fish died. Community groups tried to find local solutions. Many small water bodies, even in urban areas, have lost some or all of their recreational function. Unlike larger lakes, there is no technology that can be applied at the scale of small water bodies of ≤10 ha. The aim of this project is to develop and test an eco-technology to improve the climate resilience of small urban water bodies.