A Floating Lab on Lake Geneva: Seven Years of Science on the LéXPLORE Platform
For seven years, a unique floating research facility has been silently gathering data on Lake Geneva. Situated near Pully, Switzerland, the LéXPLORE platform is a 100-square-meter hub of scientific inquiry, operating around the clock to study the lake from its surface to its depths.
"The platform hosts instruments for high-frequency data collection across fields including chemistry, physics, ecology, microbiology, hydrology, technology development, and astrophysics."
A Hub for Collaboration
The platform is not a single project but a collaborative effort. Currently, 25 projects are active, with 40 already completed. This work involves a wide network of institutions:
- Around 20 research groups from EPFL
- Units from Eawag
- The University of Lausanne (UNIL)
- The University of Geneva (UNIGE)
- CARRTEL (INRAE-USMB) in France
- Approximately a dozen other research centers
Public engagement is a key component. The platform offers summer guided tours and runs the Lémanscope initiative, a citizen-science project where hundreds of participants help measure water transparency and color.
Key Research Highlights
The continuous, real-time measurements from LéXPLORE are fueling discoveries across multiple disciplines.
- Ecosystem Dynamics: Scientists use the data to study lake ecosystems, biochemical processes, water mixing, biodiversity, the carbon cycle, and the effects of climate change.
- Invasive Species: The ecological impact of invasive quagga mussels is a major focus, along with the problem of them clogging infrastructure.
- Plankton Biology: Research delves into the role of plankton in biogeochemistry, their vertical migration patterns, the conditions that cause their proliferation, and how rising water temperatures affect them.
- Pollution Monitoring: Microplastic pollution is analyzed for its accumulation and distribution in the water, as well as its interaction with indigenous microorganisms. Researchers also investigate synthetic chemical contamination from pesticides, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals.
A Testbed for Technology and Beyond
Beyond traditional aquatic science, the platform serves as a living laboratory for new technology. Equipment tested includes smart sensors, probes, drones, underwater robots, holographic microscope cameras, and rain gauges.
In a surprising twist, the platform's scope extends to the cosmos. Astrophysical sensors mounted on the roof detect cosmic ray particles originating from the Milky Way. This unique combination of limnology and astrophysics makes LéXPLORE a truly one-of-a-kind research facility.