Lake Lugano (Ceresio) and Lake Maggiore (Verbano) comprise a significant portion of territory in Ticino, located in southern Switzerland. They are crucial to the region’s biodiversity, society, and economy. In addition to being important for ecological and tourism purposes, the lakes provide drinking water for a significant portion of the population.
Recognizing the lack of real-time limnological monitoring, the Environmental Observatory of Southern Switzerland (OASI) initiated a comprehensive monitoring network in 2022. The aim is to better understand these lake ecosystems, particularly in the face of increasing climatic variability and anthropogenic pressures.
According to Project Leader Marco Andretta, “The task of the Environmental Observatory of Southern Switzerland OASI is to promote permanent, modern and flexible environmental observation.”
Challenge: Protecting Lake Water Quality Despite Changing Conditions
Climate change has led to significant temperature increases in many lakes over the past decades, and this trend is expected to continue. The warming of lake waters affects mixing dynamics, which in turn impacts the oxygen content in deeper layers.
Additionally, warmer temperatures can trigger the development of potentially harmful algal blooms. Recent hot and dry summers, particularly those in 2022 and 2023, saw intense blooms of potentially toxic algal species, highlighting the urgent need for real-time monitoring and data analysis to develop effective adaptation strategies.
Solution: Real-Time Measurement Buoys
To address these challenges, OASI implemented a high-frequency monitoring program using NexSens CB-450 buoys in Lakes Ceresio and Verbano. The program aims to expose the complexity of environmental issues affecting these lakes through real-time data collection.
Each buoy is equipped with a 40m NexSens T-Node FR thermistor chain, a YSI EXO3s multi-parameter water quality sonde at -1 m (for both lakes) and -15 m (for Lake Lugano only), and a Lufft multi-parameter weather station 1 m above the water level. These instruments record data every 10 minutes and transmit it every 30 minutes to OASI’s server.
Benefits: Collaboration and Sharing of High-Frequency Data
The data collected by this monitoring program will be openly accessible, enabling researchers, policymakers, and the public to study the impacts of climate change on lake ecosystems. Data is published on the OASI website.
The high-frequency instruments provide real-time environmental data, which is crucial for developing forecasting models and early warning systems. These tools are particularly important for managing drinking water catchments and ensuring safe bathing areas. By promoting permanent, modern, and flexible environmental observation, OASI enhances the region’s ability to respond to and mitigate environmental issues effectively.
As Andretta points out, “The water quality of our lakes and rivers has been monitored on a regular basis for the past 50 years through water sampling and laboratory analysis, but the new high-frequency instruments will add free access to real-time environmental data of great relevance to the region.”
The Bottom Line
The implementation of NexSens buoys in Lakes Ceresio and Verbano by the Environmental Observatory of Southern Switzerland represents a significant advancement in environmental monitoring. This initiative not only addresses the urgent need for real-time data but also supports the development of comprehensive adaptation strategies to tackle the impacts of climate change.
“The availability of open-access data is vital for fostering collaboration and ensuring the sustainability of these essential lake ecosystems for future generations,” emphasizes Andretta.
The NexSens CB-450 Data Buoy is designed for deployment in lakes, rivers, coastal waters, harbors, estuaries and other freshwater or marine environments.
The NexSens T-Node FR thermistor string provides high precision temperature measurement in an addressable and connectorized assembly.
The YSI EXO3s is a compact, batteryless sonde that comes with the same capabilities as the EXO3, and is ideal for specialized applications where external power is supplied.
The Lufft family of multi-parameter weather sensors offer a cost-effective, compact alternative for the acquisition of a variety of measurement parameters on land- and buoy-based weather stations.
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