How Sevan Started Self-Purifying and Where the Algae Went

The Minister of Health of Armenia, Arsen Torosyan, recently reported that the analysis of water samples taken from 11 different areas of Lake Sevan has shown that the lake's self-purification process is ongoing. However, discussions on social media erupted regarding how the algae disappeared and where they went, as reported by Armtimes.com.

In an interview with "Haykakan Zhamanak," Vahe Gulyan, the head of the "Sevan" National Park, provided details:

Mr. Gulyan, how did Sevan start self-purifying, and where did the algae go?

This process occurs every year: some years there is a lot, and some years there is little. This is a normal process for Lake Sevan. Organic matter accumulates, and the lake frees itself from organic matter in this way. Lakes, reservoirs, and rivers have such self-purification processes. These types of outbreaks last for about 15 days.

Do the algae fall to the bottom of the water and get destroyed there?

Every organic plant has a property of maturing, then shedding its fruits or leaves; this is their peak. The same applies here: this plant matured, reached its end, and began to die. After dying, it settles at the bottom of the lake.

What caused this issue? You mention it happens every year, but this year the reactions seem much more intense.

Last year was worse. But the worst situation happened in 2006.

Are the coastal areas cleaned in time?

The algae do not originate from there. They appear on the surface of the entire water body. Algae grow because there are high temperatures. If there are no high temperatures, they do not grow. Just like food, if you put it in the refrigerator, the temperature is low, it does not spoil; once you place it in a warm place, it starts to spoil. The lake is cold; if it's cold, algae do not grow; if the lake is not cold, algae thrive.

The winters have been warm for two consecutive years. All conditions were ripe for blooming. These algae primarily fix nitrogen or iron. The claim that the amount of phosphorus promotes this is incorrect in this case.