Limnology Center LIMNC

Limnology stands for freshwater science
This science was described asâ the oceanography of lakesâ by François-Alfonse Forel in 1892, who was famous for his early investigations of Lake Geneva. Limnology nowadays refers to the study of freshwaters, including lakes, rivers and marshes. To know more, we recommends: âLakes: a Very Short Introduction by Warwick F. Vincentâ and âForel et le LĂ©man by François A. Forelâ
The sustainable use and conservation of natural water resources is among the most important challenges for the well-being of the anticipated nine billion earth citizens in the near-future.
The increasing anthropogenic pressure on natural waters is mainly due to :
- Energy:Â electricity production and heating/cooling systems
- Pollution: the release of micro-pollutants from agriculÂture (diffuse sources) and the urban anthroposphere (point sources)
- Global changes: water abstraction, changes in geochemiÂcal fluxes, and global warming
In developing countries and emerging economies, additional challenges are due to :
- Water scarcity and water alloÂcations
- Conservation of unique aquatic ecosystems (e.g. wetÂlands)
- ExcesÂsive eutrophication
- Poor or non-existent water-infrastructure
The Limnology Center will provide socially-relevant contriÂbutions to facing these future challenges, on both national and international levels.
- to create interdisciplinary innovative and international projects in limnology
- to federate research among different departments of EPFL
- to promote the collaboration between international and national research institutions on lakes
- to develop and apply new technologies in limnology