Methodology to eliminate toxic cyanobacterial blooms in water bodies

Intensification of blooms of toxic cyanobacteria, such as Microcystis sp. over the last decade is a matter of growing concern to water authorities and naturalists. Formation of various toxins by these organisms constitutes a serious threat to fresh water lakes and water reservoirs worldwide. Blooms in Lake Kinneret, Israel and in various lakes in Germany occur annually. Intensive blooms that could endanger ability to use the Lake Kinnerets water as a source of drinking water occured twice in 2002. These blooms limit the use of water bodies as resources for drinking water as well as for recreational activities. Clearly, the approaches currently used, including management of the drainage basin (to reduce eutrification processes), are not very successful. Therefore it is essential to develop methodologies aimed at control and, if possible, elimination of such blooms. This is the main objective of the proposal.