Expert Warns Copper Sulfate Treatment in Mediterranean Endangers Israel's Water Supply
Professor Moshe Gofen warns that dispersing copper sulfate in the Mediterranean to clear desalination filters from Synechococcus bacteria could poison marine life and contaminate Israel's drinking water.
The Water Authority's decision to disperse copper sulfate in the Mediterranean Sea to combat a bacterial bloom has drawn sharp criticism from one of Israel's leading water systems experts. Professor Moshe Gofen, former director of the Yigal Allon Kinneret Limnological Laboratory, warns that this hasty measure could cause far more damage to water quality and the marine ecosystem than the bacteria itself.
The Root of the Crisis: Synechococcus Bloom
The emergency chemical treatment was initiated after massive blooms of Synechococcus, a microscopic cyanobacterium measuring just 0.8 to 1.5 microns, clogged the filtration systems of Israel's desalination plants, forcing them to shut down.
Professor Moshe Gofen explains that under normal conditions, this organism does not bloom so aggressively. The current outbreak suggests a disruption in the natural nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio in the Mediterranean, potentially caused by local phosphorus leaks or distant agricultural runoff carried by the Nile River from East Africa—a hypothesis that has not yet been thoroughly investigated.
The Danger of Copper Sulfate in Open Waters
According to Gofen, copper sulfate is strictly intended for closed systems, such as agricultural washing or treating parasites in commercial fish ponds. Dispersing it into an open marine environment like the Mediterranean is an unprecedented and risky move.
Professor Moshe Gofen stated:
"This action will do more harm to water quality than good. Copper sulfate will not eliminate the tiny Synechococcus bacteria. Instead, it will destroy larger competing organisms, clearing the path for an even more aggressive bacterial outbreak."
Lessons from the Sao Paulo Water Crisis
Professor Gofen bases his warnings on his professional experience as an advisor to the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, during a major water crisis. In that case, local authorities dumped tons of copper sulfate into a primary reservoir to combat a different cyanobacteria bloom.
While the chemical killed the larger bacteria, they sank to the bottom, contaminating the sediment and poisoning the fish population. Furthermore, the elimination of competing organisms triggered a massive secondary outbreak of the tiny Synechococcus, which bypassed sand filters and flowed directly into residents' tap water. Gofen warns that Israel could face a similar scenario, with copper residues potentially contaminating the national drinking water supply if not properly managed.
