Richard Vollenweider
Encyclopedia
Richard Albert Vollenweider (June 22 1922, Zürich
, Switzerland
–January 20 2007, Burlington, Ontario
, Canada) was a notable limnologist.
Richard Vollenweider has written several widely cited academic works about lake eutrophication
management. His pioneering work included a technical report from 1968, which related inputs of total phosphorus
to chlorophyll a
concentrations (a common proxy measure of algal bloom
intensity).
His findings have thereby laid the ground for predicting expected environmental effects on the Secchi
depth and algal bloom intensity from phosphorus abatement, e.g., in sewage treatment plants.
He also played an important role in restoring several eutrophicated lakes, such as the Great Lakes
of North America.
Richard Vollenweider was awarded the Tyler Environmental Prize (1986), the Naumann-Thiennemann Medal by SIL (1987), the Global 500 Roll of Honor by UNEP (1988), and the Premio Internationale Cervia for his advisory on eutrophication of the Adriatic Sea
(Italy).
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
, Switzerland
–January 20 2007, Burlington, Ontario
Burlington, Ontario
Burlington , is a city located in Halton Region at the western end of Lake Ontario. Burlington is part of the Greater Toronto Area, and is also included in the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area. Physically, Burlington lies between the north shore of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment...
, Canada) was a notable limnologist.
Richard Vollenweider has written several widely cited academic works about lake eutrophication
Eutrophication
Eutrophication or more precisely hypertrophication, is the movement of a body of water′s trophic status in the direction of increasing plant biomass, by the addition of artificial or natural substances, such as nitrates and phosphates, through fertilizers or sewage, to an aquatic system...
management. His pioneering work included a technical report from 1968, which related inputs of total phosphorus
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is the chemical element that has the symbol P and atomic number 15. A multivalent nonmetal of the nitrogen group, phosphorus as a mineral is almost always present in its maximally oxidized state, as inorganic phosphate rocks...
to chlorophyll a
Chlorophyll a
Chlorophyll a is a specific form of chlorophyll used in oxygenic photosynthesis. It absorbs most energy from wavelengths of violet-blue and orange-red light. This photosynthetic pigment is essential for photosynthesis in eukaryotes, cyanobacteria and prochlorophytes because of its role as primary...
concentrations (a common proxy measure of algal bloom
Algal bloom
An algal bloom is a rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in an aquatic system. Algal blooms may occur in freshwater as well as marine environments. Typically, only one or a small number of phytoplankton species are involved, and some blooms may be recognized by discoloration...
intensity).
His findings have thereby laid the ground for predicting expected environmental effects on the Secchi
Secchi
Secchi may refer to:* Angelo Secchi, an Italian astronomer* Secchi * Secchi * Secchi depth, a measure of turbidity* Secchi disk, an instrument used to measure turbidity...
depth and algal bloom intensity from phosphorus abatement, e.g., in sewage treatment plants.
He also played an important role in restoring several eutrophicated lakes, such as the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
of North America.
Richard Vollenweider was awarded the Tyler Environmental Prize (1986), the Naumann-Thiennemann Medal by SIL (1987), the Global 500 Roll of Honor by UNEP (1988), and the Premio Internationale Cervia for his advisory on eutrophication of the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
(Italy).