Brunified water is believed to be caused by climate change, among other things, as a wetter and warmer climate means that more organic material ends up in the lakes, which according to the researchers affects both animal and plant life.
- It affects many things, such as drinking water production because it costs much more to clean the water and more chemicals are needed, says Tina Martin, researcher in technical geology at Lund University.
Itchy old man
The brown water also makes some algae spread more easily, such as the so-called old man's slime.
The algae burst on contact and spread a mucus that can itch.
A research group at Lund University is currently working on the project "Reduction of browning in seawater".
The researchers believe that it is possible to do more locally, for example review the ditches and plant deciduous trees instead of conifers closest to the coastal strip.
The project is funded by the research project Formas and is a collaboration between, among others, Lund University, Sydvatten and several municipalities and local actors.