World-renowned water microbiologists gather in Tartu

From August 21st to 25th, over 140 water microbiologists will gather in Tartu at the Delta Learning Building for an international conference organized in collaboration between the University of Tartu (UT) and the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMÜ). The conference, taking place every two years, is being held for the 17th time and is hosted in Estonia for the first time.

Microbes and their communities play a vital role in the functioning of the biosphere, environmental self-purification processes, and the health of our planet. While 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, the hydrosphere constitutes more than 99% of the habitable space on this planet. The role of water microbes in the biosphere is thus difficult to overstate. Exploring the immense diversity of mostly unknown microorganisms allows for the identification of new microbial species and their characteristics. This, in turn, helps understand ecosystem functioning, which microbial species might be suitable for environmental assessment or the production of novel bioactive compounds, as well as limiting the spread of pathogens. The conference in Tartu covers various important topics related to aquatic microbial communities, encompassing ancient history, contemporary changes, and future scenarios. In addition to bacteria, archaea, and microalgae, the conference addresses less familiar life forms in aquatic ecosystems for the general public, such as viruses and fungi.

According to associate professor of microbial ecology Veljo Kisand, active collaboration takes place with many participating scientists at the conference, leading to numerous new scientific ideas and thoughts on collaboration.

Estonian researchers' presentations at the conference will focus on the restoration of eutrophied lakes, ways to prevent the spread of pathogens and invasive species through ballast water of cargo ships, and the effects of freshwater salinization on the nutrient cycle and ecosystems of water bodies.

For more information: associate professor of microbial ecology at UT, Veljo Kisand, veljo.kisand@ut.ee, 58501909