In 2023, the Amazon faced one of the most severe droughts in its recent history, resulting in devastating consequences for the region. In Tefé-AM, for example, the extreme drought caused the death of more than 200 dolphins, highlighting the urgent need to investigate the causes and plan preventive actions. In partnership with the Mamirauá Institute and other institutions, Aqua Viridi has been actively engaged in supporting these initiatives, acting on two main fronts: i) participation in strategic debates and ii) monitoring of aquatic environments.

In the strategic debates organized by the Mamirauá Institute, the goal is to work with other researchers to outline and implement effective strategies to address extreme weather events. Raize Mendes, our CTO, participated in the 20th SIMCON in early August, where she highlighted the importance of the discussions:

“For us at Aqua Viridi, this contribution is extremely relevant, considering the importance of aquatic environments, whether in Tefé or elsewhere, for ecosystem services in the Amazon and for the preservation of life."

At the same time, Aqua Viridi is also involved in environmental monitoring of Lake Tefé. Our team has extensive expertise in environmental services associated with aquatic environments in the Amazon, having conducted several projects for various ventures, from waterway dredging to transmission lines. Composed of masters and doctors in Freshwater Biology, our team applies its vast and solid knowledge to create innovative service packages for the assessment and monitoring of aquatic environments. This know-how has enabled Aqua Viridi to plan and execute environmental monitoring of Lake Tefé, focusing on the phytoplankton community.

The main objective of this monitoring is to observe variations in the composition of the phytoplankton community and take preventive action if signs of a new bloom of potentially harmful microalgae are detected. In October 2023, at the “epicenter” of the Extreme Drought event at Lake Tefé, we conducted our first data collection, including measurements of water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen and pH. It was on this occasion that we identified the first bloom of Euglena sanguinea in Lake Tefé. More information about this bloom can be accessed in the text by our CTO Raize Mendes on our blog by clicking here.

Continuing this work, between August 12 and 16, 2024, our biologist and CTO Raize Mendes traveled to Tefé/AM to join the team that is monitoring Lake Tefé. The focus was to take samples of the phytoplankton community prior to the peak of the dry season in the Amazon, which occurs between September and October in this region, to assess the composition of this community and verify the possibility of a new bloom. In addition, the assessment of the composition of phytoplankton species will allow for an analysis of the ecological quality of the lake, considering that these organisms are excellent bioindicators of environmental quality, as they are in direct and continuous contact with the water column and respond quickly to changes.

The next step will be to return to Lake Tefé in October 2024 to take new samples during the peak of the dry season, one year after the extreme event of 2023. This campaign will allow for a detailed comparison between the samples taken in October 2023, August 2024, and October 2024, contributing robust data on the lake's ecology and providing valuable input for future decision-making. This pioneering monitoring not only offers a deeper understanding of aquatic communities, but also paves the way for new research in the region, especially in Lake Tefé.

Finally, it is crucial to highlight that phenomena such as those observed in Lake Tefé underscore the importance of continuous monitoring of aquatic environments in the face of extreme weather events. Continuous data collection allows for early identification of changes in ecosystems, such as changes in water quality and species displacement, providing a solid basis for the creation of public policies that protect aquatic resources and the communities that depend on them. Without this monitoring, the ability to respond to environmental crises is significantly limited, increasing the risk of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. In the face of these challenges, Aqua Viridi remains firmly committed to preserving the Amazon's ecosystem services, applying the lessons learned in 2023 to mitigate future impacts and ensure the sustainability of Amazonian aquatic ecosystems.