Then and Now-16” x 20” acrylic and mixed media.
Depicting Lake Atitlán as it was, and how it may be in the future,
with phosphorus now a part of the water forever.
Depicting Lake Atitlán as it was, and how it may be in the future,
with phosphorus now a part of the water forever.
Artists were assigned a scientist and tasked with creating art describing their research.
My scientist was involved with researching the green algae blooms at Lake Atitlán in Guatemala and the potential link to phosphorous in agricultural run-off and untreated human waste water discharge.
My scientist was involved with researching the green algae blooms at Lake Atitlán in Guatemala and the potential link to phosphorous in agricultural run-off and untreated human waste water discharge.
Lake Atitlán is the source of fresh water for 400,000 people, yet there is little to no solid waste treatment facilities and waste is instead released directly into the lake. Ideas to address this issue range from the obvious waste treatment plants, to natural wetlands, and new technology such as waste water ash fertilizer. With the use of nitrogen and phosphorus in commercial fertilizers, agricultural pollution has become a major issue for all fresh water and Lake Atitlán is no exception. When water containing an excess of nitrogen and phosphorus is coupled with a warming climate, it creates perfect conditions for the algae blooms of cyanobacteria that deplete oxygen, killing fish and creating a stench of rotting plant material. Lake Atitlán has encountered ecological turmoil for over 60 years which included the introduction of non-native Black Bass that decimated native fish and led to the extinction of the Giant Grebe bird. Algae blooms may become a permanent part of Atitlán unless something is done to control pollution entering the lake. The blooms are so large NASA satellite images show the entire 12 mile long, quarter mile deep lake covered in the pea-green algae.