As part of the Cyan’EAU project, the University of Porto has recently carried out two sampling campaigns at the Aguieira Reservoir in central Portugal. These activities form part of the scientific work aimed at improving the understanding of cyanobacterial bloom dynamics and evaluating innovative solutions for prevention, early detection and remediation.
First campaign: 13 October 2025
The first field campaign took place on 13 October 2025, during which the research team sampled two points of the reservoir (identified as points 1 and 2 on the map). At each point, two sediment cores were collected. These samples will support analyses related to nutrient presence, bottom conditions, and potential indicators associated with cyanobacterial proliferations.
Second campaign: 20 November 2025
A second field visit was conducted on 20 November 2025, with an additional prospection carried out at points 2 and 3. However, due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall, it was not possible to extract new sediment cores during this attempt.
Despite this limitation, the data gathered during the October campaign, combined with field observations from November, provide valuable information to advance the environmental characterization of the reservoir.
Contribution to the Cyan’EAU project
These sampling campaigns contribute to the project’s scientific objectives by enhancing knowledge of the environmental factors that influence cyanobacterial blooms, and by supporting the development of detection tools and management strategies tailored to the Sudoe area.
Next steps
The research team will continue analysing the collected samples and will plan future sampling efforts when hydrological conditions allow.
Through these initiatives, Cyan’EAU continues to progress in its mission to strengthen monitoring, prevention, and management of cyanobacterial blooms across Southwest European ecosystems.
