Professor Brack Hale's Laghetto di Muzzano Research Published in Ticino Scientific Journal

12/01/2009

The Bollettino della Società Ticinese di Scienze Naturali recently published the results of a five-month research project developed by Professor Brack Hale, assistant professor of Biology and Environmental Science, about the status of the water quality of the Laghetto di Muzzano. Two Franklin students, Megan Richardson and Kyle Hartman, along with a former student of Professor Hale’s from Duke University, assisted with the sampling project. The study was performed in collaboration with Pro Natura Ticino, a Swiss ecological protection and conservation organization and owner of the Laghetto di Muzzano area since 1945.

The research examined the trends in water quality over the course of a growing season to determine the current nutrient levels of the lake and the role of stratification for nutrient dynamics. Excessively high levels of nutrients were found, particularly phosphorus in the bottom waters of the lake that inevitably endanger its biodiversity. In the past, the eutrophic state of the lake has led to the local extinction of water lilies and the water chestnut as well as numerous fish kills.

The demonstrated role that internal loading of nutrients plays in the Laghetto's water quality indicates that actions to manage and reverse eutrophication will take time. Further, these actions will not be successful until the current level of external loading is significantly reduced. Until then, the risks for the flora and fauna will continue to increase.