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A GREAC study promotes the decision to close the Foix reservoir to fishing

By 16 de March de 2009November 18th, 2020No Comments
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 16.03.2009

A GREAC study promotes the decision to close the Foix reservoir to fishing

A study conducted by ecologists Gonzalo González and Jaime Ordoñez from the Research Group on Continental Aquatic Ecoloy () of the University of Barcelona – located at the Barcelona Science Park (PCB)- points to potential risks due to contamination of waters in the Foix reservoir, such as massive proliferation of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, an algae that produces the hepatotoxin microcystine. This toxin is very dangerous to health and can affect not only fish and birds, but also humans who may have bathed in or consumed fish from the reservoir. The study – which determines the trophic state and the composition of the algae communities of four Catalan reservoirs- has been published in the Freshwater Biology magazine under the title "Phytoplankton distribution along trophic gradients within and among reservoirs in Catalonia (Spain)" (). After learning about the results derived from this project, the Directorate General for the Environment has informed the Catalan Federation of Fishing on its decision to close the reservoir to fishing.

For over 10 years, the Research Group on Continental Aquatic Ecology (GREAC) –led by scientist Joan Armengol- has been studying the Foix reservoir as part of a broader project on the evolution of several reservoirs in Catalonia. The Foix reservoir has been included in the study for being the most contaminated Catalan reservoir. This ongoing project has led to the detection of a toxic cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa, in the reservoir’s waters during the warmest months of the year. This cyanobacterium produces toxins that affect the liver in both animals and humans.

The Foix reservoir study has been funded by the Diputación de Barcelona (the Barcelona Provincial Council) as part of the characterization projects of the Foix Regional Park and has a particular impact due to the discovery of net fishing in the reservoir and the possibility that the fish may be used for consumption.