ile-de-france

Field Background:

Microcystis is a freshwater cyanobacteria found in many lakes around the world. Some Microcystis are able to biomineralize intracellular calcium carbonates (iACC).  In the Paris area, there are many water points used for swimming or water activities, which are regularly subjected to blooms dominated by this cyanobacteria. This campaign focuses on two sites: the Etang des Galets at the Cergy-Pontoise leisure center, and the Etang de la Grosse Pierre at the Verneuil-Sur-Seine water sports center.

Objectives:

These lakes are ideal locations to study the impact of iACC biomineralization during blooms on calcium cycling, and the dynamics of iACC mineralizing strains within blooms.

Actions implemented:

In collaboration with scientists from the Paris Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences (SU) and the Natural History Museum, a water and biomass sampling campaign was implemented in summer-fall 2021.