Ovidius University of Constanta platform is combining satellite data and on-site measurements for mitigation of the eutrophication in the Siutghiol lake.
January 26, 2025 – Sample Collection on Lake Siutghiol
The campaign for water sampling to analyze its physico-chemical characteristics has been initiated, coordinated with the passage of the Sentinel II satellite. Simultaneously, phytoplankton and zooplankton samples were collected (20 liters filtered through a fine mesh and preserved with formalin on-site).
The weather was rather overcast, with fog and clouds in the morning, clearing to partly cloudy skies after 10 AM. The temperature ranged between 8 and 10°C.
The lake water is highly eutrophic, with visible Microcystis flocs near the shore. The wind was light, blowing from the south.
Due to the overcast weather, there were not too many birds present – Anas platyrhynchos, Podiceps cristatus, Podiceps nigricollis, Cygnus olor, Larus melanocephalus, Larus ridibundus, Larus cachinnans, Phalacrocorax pygmaeus.
P1 – Ovidiu
The weather was overcast, with low clouds and wisps of fog retreating towards the sea. The water was calm, with barely any noticeable wind. Near the shore, especially in the reed beds, clusters of Microcystis were visible, and the water had a greenish tint.
In the area, we observed two swans, a few Larus ridibundus and Larus cachinnans individuals, and at one point, a pair of Anas platyrhynchos passed by. The birds were not feeding.
P2 – On the Breakwater
We entered from the Mamaia side, and the road seemed even more damaged than in the fall. The water in the Poarta Albă – Midia canal was clear, in contrast to the green hue of Lake Siutghiol. Trash had accumulated on the shore since the last visit.
The sky remained overcast, but the fog had disappeared.
Water samples were taken from one of the access points created by local fishermen. The water was quite eutrophic, but there were fewer Microcystis clusters, even in the reed-covered areas.
Birds observed : Cygnus olor (near the buildings), Anas platyrhynchos (also in that area), Podiceps cristatus, and gulls.
On the rocks, yellowish-colored macrophyte algae were visible.
P3 – Scoica Land
The water was highly eutrophic, with Microcystis films floating on the lake’s surface, carried by the wind, which started to pick up from the south, clearing the sky of clouds at one point.
Birds observed: Cygnus olor, Anas platyrhynchos, Podiceps cristatus, gulls, Phalacrocorax pygmaeus.
P4 – Debarcader Rex
The wind brought another series of clouds, but without fog. The water remained eutrophic, though the cyanobacterial clusters were less compact in the northeastern part of the lake.
Birds observed : Cygnus olor, Anas platyrhynchos, Podiceps cristatus, gulls, Phalacrocorax pygmaeus.
P5 – Faculty of Pharmacy
Overcast weather, but the area was more sheltered from the wind. Eutrophication was evident here as well, with cyanobacterial foam nearly 10 cm thick in the reed beds. However, the water appeared clear, with visible Microcystisclusters.
Swans, mallards, and gulls were also present in this area.
The formalin-preserved samples were conditioned for sorting. A live Microcystis sample was also collected. Compared to last year, this winter has been milder so far, with no freezing events observed on the lake.
Annual temperature variation in Mamaia
