Eutrophication has Occurred at Longluan Lake
Water pollution is suspected to be the cause of death of freshwater organisms in Longluan Lake in Kenting National Park, and the park headquarters sent personnel to investigate the matter. Initial determination of the bluish green color of water along the banks is algae from eutrophication. The odd smell in the air was caused by dead freshwater organisms, including Pomacea canaliculata, Sinotaia quadrata, Unio douglasiae taiwanicus, Tarebia granifera, Tilapia, and Carp. The investigation personnel sent the water samples they collected to the research team of Huan Ta-Chun at Chia Nan University of Pharmacy & Science to help them test the water and find the cause of water pollution. In addition, Kenting National Park Headquarters examined Carlson Trophic State Index (CTSI) monitoring data of local water quality, in which the CTSI showed an upward trend from 2011 to April 2015. A number of factors may cause eutrophication to occur again at Longluan Lake. Besides coordinating with the Hengchun Station of Pingtung Irrigation Association to raise the height of the water gate, which will increase storage capacity and mitigate eutrophication, Kenting National Park Headquarters also investigated if untreated polluted water was being discharged into surrounding ditches to prevent polluted water from entering Longluan Lake.