A Major Step for Algae Research in the Black Sea: Bulgaria Establishes New Environmental Laboratory

The AlgaeRevive partnership proudly marks the establishment of a new environmental research laboratory at Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov University in Burgas, Bulgaria—a development that represents an important step for advancing algae research and strengthening scientific capacity supporting the blue bioeconomy in the Black Sea region.

Developed within the AlgaeRevive project – “Harnessing Algae Power for Pollution Reduction and Blue Growth” – co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, the laboratory will support interdisciplinary research exploring the potential of algae as a valuable natural resource for sustainable innovation, biotechnology and blue economy applications.

Equipped with modern analytical instrumentation for physico-chemical, ecological and environmental analysis of aquatic systems, the laboratory enables researchers to conduct advanced studies on algae communities, nutrient dynamics and pollutant absorption processes. These capabilities will support both laboratory investigations and field monitoring activities, strengthening the scientific evidence base needed for effective ecosystem management.

For Bulgaria, the establishment of this laboratory represents a significant step in strengthening national research infrastructure related to algae science and aquatic ecosystem research, creating new opportunities for scientific collaboration, innovation and participation in regional initiatives supporting the development of the blue bioeconomy in the Black Sea basin.

“Through the AlgaeRevive project, our university is actively exploring how seaweed can become a valuable resource for the sustainable development of the Black Sea region,” said Prof. Dr. Eng. Alexander Dimitrov, Vice-Rector of Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov University and project leader on behalf of the university. “The new laboratory will enable us to study local algae species, develop knowledge on their cultivation and use, and support the growth of seaweed-based solutions that contribute to both environmental protection and the blue economy.”

“The laboratory allows us to carry out precise environmental analyses and to study algae as part of natural processes that influence water quality,” added Assoc. Prof. Blagovesta Midyurova, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov University.
“This will support our research on aquatic ecosystems and provide data that can contribute to better environmental monitoring in the Black Sea region.”

The laboratory will also support the development of key innovations within the project, including the AlgaeSense monitoring system and the Black Sea Algae Knowledge Hub (Algae K-Hub)—a collaborative platform designed to facilitate the exchange of data, expertise and best practices among researchers, policymakers and stakeholders across the region.

The AlgaeRevive consortium expresses its sincere appreciation to the researchers, institutions and project partners whose dedication and expertise have made this important step possible. Their collective efforts demonstrate the value of cross-border scientific collaboration in addressing complex environmental challenges that transcend national borders.

By strengthening research infrastructure and fostering cooperation among Black Sea countries, this new laboratory represents not only a national achievement for Bulgaria, but also an important contribution to the shared regional effort to develop innovative, algae-based solutions for a cleaner and more resilient Black Sea ecosystem.