News
As part of the #CYCLOLIVE project, FVB-IGB team Germany, carried out a mesocosm experiment in Florence, Italy, in collaboration with Italian partners from the Faculty of Chemistry.
🗓 From April 14 to May 13, the IGB team was on-site to investigate the impact of olive mill wastewater (OMWW) on aquatic ecosystems—a growing environmental concern in many Mediterranean regions.
Eleven, 1000-liter standard IBC containers were filled with natural water from 📍 Lake Bilanchino water reservoir, and used as experimental mesocosms to study ecological impacts on the plankton ecosystem.
🔬 The experiment assessed effects or realistic amounts of added raw Olive Mill Waste Water (OMWW) as well as corresponding amounts of OMWW treated by passing constructed wetlands, to explore sustainable discharge options that are less harmful to aquatic life.
✅ The month-long experiment included:
• Continuous monitoring with automated probes (pH, chlorophyll-a, phycocyanin, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, salinity)
• Laboratory analysis of nutrients and other chemical parameters
• Microscopic analysis to assess impacts on aquatic biodiversity of phytoplankton and zooplankton
🤝 This work was made possible thanks to strong collaboration with local Italian partners. Their dedication and support were essential for the success of this field campaign.
Stay tuned for results that will contribute to developing sustainable solutions for wastewater reuse and better strategies to protect aquatic ecosystems in the Mediterranean region 🌍💧
#Fieldwork #AquaticEcology #OliveMillWastewater #ConstructedWetlands #MesocosmExperiment #WaterQuality #EnvironmentalScience #Microalgae #Biodiversity #SustainableDevelopment #CYCLOLIVE #TeamScience #Italy #ResearchInAction #LakeBilancino #Ecotoxicology #Collaboration #IGB
