News

The River Spree flows in reverse direction in some sections. Subsequently, water from River Erpe, which contains partly treated wastewater from the wastewater treatment plant Münchehofe, can flow in reverse direction in River Spree into Lake Müggelsee. Such flow reversals, which will likely occur more frequently in the future due to the phase-out of lignite mining, climate change and deviated annual precipitation patterns, pose a challenge for water management.

IGB researchers gave feedback on the planned European Water Resilience Strategy and underlined the relevance of freshwater ecosystems.

A new IGB Dossier shows options for action for policy-makers and authorities at the nutrient-polluted Lake Arendsee.

As part of Berlin Science Week 2024, IGB researchers, artists and the public immersed themselves in the diverse habitats of the Oder and Spree rivers. Four formats offered insights into the fragile balance of ecosystems, the sensitive relationships between species, human responsibility and the unifying power of art and science. On 14 December and 11 and 12 January, you can see, hear and experience extracts from these formats once again.

Cigarette butts do not belong in the environment. Yet they often end up there, especially near water bodies. A survey by IGB has shown that many of Berlin's waters contain considerable amounts of nicotine, which is also toxic to aquatic life. A new IGB study now shows that some organisms may benefit indirectly: toxic cyanobacteria. This is because cigarette butts in the water harm their parasites. The study was published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.

A team of authors has been awarded the BWK Publication Prize for their research into the ecological impact of hydropower plants. The paper, published in the journal WASSER UND ABFALL, provides a comprehensive analysis of how hydropower plants affect the hydromorphology and ecological condition of German streams and rivers, thereby counteracting efforts to revitalise them.

A team of scientists collected and analysed water samples at the time. The result, published in Nature Water today, showed that high concentrations of organic micropollutants exacerbated the lethal effects of prymnesin. 

Using long-term monitoring data from 46 German lakes, researchers from IGB have shown that surface temperatures of lakes have risen faster than air temperatures over the last 30 years. Ooxygen concentrations in the deep water have decreased. Modelling suggests that this trend will continue. The good news is that the lack of oxygen in the hypolimnion would be alleviated if the nutrient loads from urban and agricultural discharges could be reduced.