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mtu Environmental Foundation finances research into Burgundy blood algae on Lake Constance

Posted on August 26, 2019

Rolls-Royce's mtu Environmental Foundation is providing a grant to the value of 21,000 euros to support the department of biology at the University of Konstanz.

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Die mtu-Umweltstiftung von Rolls-Royce unterstützt den Fachbereich Biologie der Universität Konstanz bei der Erforschung der Burgunderblutalge im Bodensee. Dr. Martin-Creuzburg (Mitte), Dozent an der Universität Konstanz und Leiter des Projektes, und sein Team untersuchen, ob Bodenseefische mit Giftstoffen der Burgunderblutalge belastet sind. Die mtu-Umweltstiftung – Vorstandsvorsitzender Michael Spiegel (rechts) – unterstützt das Projekt mit einem Stipendium in Höhe von 21.000 Euro. Rolls-Royce's mtu Environmental Foundation supports the Biology Department at University of Konstanz in its research of the Burgundy blood algae in Lake Constance. Dr. Martin-Creuzburg (center), lecturer at the University of Constance and head of the project, and his team are researching whether Lake Constance fish are contaminated with toxins from the Burgundy blood algae. The mtu Environmental Foundation - CEO Michael Spiegel (right) - is supporting the project with a grant of 21,000 euros. JPG, 4 MB

Zur genauen Untersuchung der Ausbreitung von Burgunderblutalgen entnehmen die Forscher der Universität Konstanz Wasserproben aus unterschiedlichen Tiefen des Bodensees. Vor allem im Spätsommer kommt es vermutlich aufgrund steigender Wassertemperaturen und einer stabileren Schichtung zur Vermehrung der Burgunderblutalge, die sich in 15 bis 20 Metern Wassertiefe einschichtet. To examine the spread of Burgundy blood algae, researchers at the University of Constance are taking water samples from different depths of Lake Constance. Especially in late summer, rising water temperatures and a more stable stratification probably lead to the multiplication of the Burgundy blood algae, which layers in 15 to 20 metres water depth. JPG, 4 MB

Alle zwei Wochen fährt das Forschungsschiff der Universität Konstanz zur Entnahmestelle in der Nähe von Wallhausen. Die entnommenen Wasserproben werden noch auf dem Schiff auf Burgunderblutalgen untersucht. Every two weeks, the research vessel of the University of Constance sails to the sampling point near Wallhausen. The water samples taken are directly being examined on the ship. JPG, 6 MB

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  • Biology Department at University of Konstanz awarded 21,000 euros for lake research project

Rolls-Royce's mtu Environmental Foundation is providing a grant to the value of 21,000 euros to support the department of biology at the University of Konstanz. In a two-year research project that began in April 2019, biologists are examining whether fish in Lake Constance display toxic loading caused by the presence of Planktothrix rubescens - a form of bacterial algae.

The central question the project is seeking to answer is whether toxins from the algae are accumulating in the food web. Researchers will thus collect some 300 lake water samples and examine phytoplankton, zooplankton and fish for their toxin content. "Should we be able to prove the presence of toxins, it is quite possible that these are also being ingested by humans when they consume fish,” explains Dr Martin-Creuzburg, lecturer at the University of Konstanz, who is leading the project. The theory is that higher water temperatures, especially in the late summer months, allow warm water layers to develop with little mixing. This is where the Burgundy blood algae proliferates, at depths of 15 to 20m. Researchers are expecting the first results on the spread of toxins at the end of the year.

The focus of the project lies on the food web. In the first phase, the bacterial bloom itself and Lake Constance fish will be examined. In the second phase, researchers will turn their attention to other lake creatures, both in the littoral zone and open area. Their aim is to obtain results that are as meaningful as possible with respect to the accumulation of toxins in the food web as a whole.

The mtu Environmental Foundation was set up in 2004 with an endowment capital of over half a million euros. Its mission is to promote environmental and nature conservation projects on Lake Constance. “Our aim is to protect the natural resources that the lake offers to human beings, flora and fauna, and to conserve and restore the lake's biodiversity,” explains Michael Spiegel, Chairman of the Board of the mtu Environmental Foundation. The grants are usually awarded for a period of two years. The last project supported by the mtu Environmental Foundation was undertaken by pupils at the Claude Dornier School in Friedrichshafen in the field of bee protection on Lake Constance.
Wolfgang Boller Spokesman Regional and Business Media
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