looduskalender.ee

 Image from last year at  Põõsaspea

 

The most common cause of the so-called ”water bloom” in July and August are the blue-green algae or cyanobacteria, in inland waters as well as sea water.

 

 

Information from the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) on 13.8.2015 at 13.58: LINK

 

Bluegreen algae are noticeable on the coasts of the Gulf of Finland. Larger concentrations of algae in the western part of the bay, also in the Baltic itself. The situation is estimated to be similar to that of recent years.

 

In Estonian coastal areas bluegreen algae have been noted, beginning last week, regrettably the situation in our mainland waters is not known..

 

How to recognize blue-green algae on the shore?

- water is coloured yellowish or greenish and floating ”flakes” may be seen with a naked eye
- in inner parts of bays the water and the shoreline can be coated with a dense green mass (see Markus’s photo)
- the colour-bearer is so small that it does not remain for instance on a stick dipped in the water
- near the water a musty smell may be felt

 

Wind and waves may clean one beach from blue-green algae, bringing them elsewhere or into the open sea.

 

Some of the blue-green algae in the Baltic can be toxic and put human health at risk. Serious cases have not occurred in Estonia or Finland and Sweden.

 

People’s sensitivity differs  however. Some recommendations:

-        if you have been swimming in water suspected to have bluegreen algae, wash in clean water, particularly the eyes

-        bluegreen algae may cause reddening of the skin, itching, nose run, but also retching reflexes and stomach pain

-        the above symptoms may appear within a few hours, lasting a couple of hours for an adult

-        if you have swallowed water during the swim, try to vomit

-        Small children are more sensitive, rather do not bring them to a beach where bluegreen algae are suspected to be present (bluegreen algae may also be present in the sand on the beach)

 

About mainland waters where bluegreen algae occur:

-        do not water vegetables or plants in greenhouses with such water

-        the water is not fit as drinking water for domestic animals

-        dogs may get a serious case of poisoning by licking their fur after a swim

-        the flesh of caught fish can be eaten (but not the guts of the fish); the fish must however be carefully washed before preparation for eating 

 

The toxins of bluegreen algae will not decompose even on cooking; thus the recommendation is not to use water containing bluegreen algae at all.