Lately in the lake Sevan was discovered growth of Anabaena (Lat. Anabaena) blue-green algae. In the lake Sevan Anabaena blue-green alga was first recorded in the 40 s of the last century. The first algae bloom was recorded in 1964 and in various time was periodically repeated in different volumes. A large-scale algae bloom was observed in 2018. As to the experts several factors have contributed to the growth of blue-green algae.
- The wastewater flowing into the lake Sevan from dozens of communities located in the adjacent areas of the lake Sevan.
- The flow of wastewater into the lake Sevan from the service and entertainment facilities operating in the coastal areas of the lake Sevan.
- Agriculture and cattle breeding
- Flow of phosphorus and nitrogen from grassy fish farming into lake Sevan
- Flow of organic substances from submerged and coastal forest cover
- High temperature and climate changes
- Lack of precipitation. On May were recorded 36 million cubic meters precipitation, which is near to the historically minimal (33 million cubic meters).
- Wind intensities, because of which the evaporation was twice higher than the norm in April.
- To stabilize the lake’s ecological state, the Ministry of Environment has implemented and implements a number of activities
- Daily activities are done by Ministry of Environment for adjustment of irrigation water request and for reducing of water intake from the lake Sevan, the volume of water intake is monitored through field investigations.
- Continuous monitoring is implemented for collecting of information about the current state of the lake. Activities are implemented to strengthen the monitoring system.
- The Ministry of Environment of the RA has applied to the UNSCO for granting the status of biosphere reserve to the lake Sevan. An official letter from UNSCO confirmed that activities in this direction have already launched.
- By Helmholtz Association of German Research Centre and Institute of Hydroecology and Ichthyology of National Academy of Sciences was implemented 1 D modeling of water qualification and bottom sediments of the lake Sevan.
- In 26 of July Ministry of Environment of RA has applied an official letter to the Ministry of education and science of Federal Republic of Germany for large-scale monitoring including balance assessment and management of nutrients for the lake, for elaboration of 1 D model of assessment of algae bloom (nutrients, plankton, dissolved oxygen in the water), elaboration of 3 D hydrodynamic model, water quality assessment via satellite remote sensing, assessment of management of various scenarios and disclosure of key problems and environmental impacts on water qualification etc..
In activities will be involved.
- Helmholtz Center of environmental researches of German Federal Republic, Lakes Research Division
- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research (Warnemuende, Germany),
- Germany`s Earth Observation and Environment Services (EOMAP GmbH Seefeld),
- Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology of NAS RA,
- Environmental Monitoring and Information Center of Ministry of Environment, RA
- ”Service of the hydrometeorology and active influence on atmospheric phenomena” SNCO of Ministry of Emergency Situations of RA.
- 5 million Euro was coordinated by EU for solution of environmental problems of lake Sevan
- Discussing the issue of cleaning of watercourses of rivers flowing into lake Sevan by the government, because in some places, especially near the settlements, they are converted into landfills.
- The submerged cleanable areas until 1901.5 were adjusted, it is announced a tender and it is foreseeing to clean submerged areas completely until 2019-22.
- The Ministry of Environment elaborates legislative projects, aimed to the reducing of pollution by communal- household waste.
- Operated 14 large businesses around the shoreline of the lake Sevan on the request of Ministry of Environment have already installed wastewater treatment plants.