The recent news of Annabelle M. Rayson, a Canadian student, winning the distinguished Stockholm Junior Water Prize for her research on harmful algal blooms triggers an exploration into the competition’s significance, the problem of harmful algal blooms, and other noteworthy prizewinners this year.
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize is an internationally acclaimed competition conducted annually since 1997, by the Stockholm International Water Institute in association with Xylem, an American water technology provider. This contest invites students between 15 to 20 years old to propose solutions addressing significant water challenges. This competition has established itself as a key feature of the World Water Week over the years.
The 2022 iteration saw Annabelle M. Rayson from Canada being awarded for her research targeting the prevention and treatment of algal blooms.
Understanding Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
Algae are simple, plant-like organisms that live in the sea and freshwater bodies. However, under certain conditions, these seemingly harmless organisms can proliferate uncontrollably, leading to what is known as Harmful Algal Blooms or HABs.
When these colonies of algae swell in size, they generate toxic substances detrimental to people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds. This threat to marine ecosystem health has heightened the need for effective prevention and treatment methods, a challenge which Annabelle M. Rayson took up and emerged victoriously against.
Other Prize Winners
In addition to the main prize, various other accolades were distributed acknowledging distinct contributions to solve water-related issues. The Diploma of Excellence was accorded to Laura Nedel Drebes and Camily Pereira dos Santos from Brazil.
This pair worked tirelessly to combat period poverty—an issue characterized by the inability to access sanitary pads. By devising valuable strategies, these young minds have given a fresh perspective on resolving this long-drawn problem.
On the other hand, the People’s Choice Award was swept off by Mishal Faraz from the United Arab Emirates. Faraz undertook the Water Bottle Project in an effort to discourage excessive use of single-use plastic water bottles and thereby fortify water security.
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize thus offers an excellent platform for young innovators to showcase their ideas and solutions for water-related challenges faced worldwide. This year, the breadth of issues tackled by the prize winners, from harmful algal blooms to period poverty and water security, truly highlights the range of water-based problems that need urgent attention in today’s world.
(Source: DTE)
