3 days ago
Researchers find algae bloom along north and central Kerala coasts
The Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) has reported an extensive algae bloom along the north and central Kerala coasts since the first week of August.
The event, commonly known as red tide, is marked by the reddish discolouration of surface waters, a result of massive blooms of the red variant of the dinoflagellate microalga Noctiluca scintillans. A research team under the ANRF-SRG programme studying Climatic influences on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) led by Lathika Cicily Thomas, Assistant Professor in the department, confirmed the bloom following observations from Chavakkad beach in Thrissur district and multiple beaches in Kozhikode, according to a release.
The bloom has progressively spread southwards, influenced by prevailing surface currents, and has notably impacted the shorelines of Edakkazhiyur and Puthenkadapuram. Locally known as 'Pooneer', 'Polavellam' or 'Karavellam' in Malayalam, the phenomenon has covered several kilometres of coastline.
The reddish hue is most pronounced in shallow intertidal zones, accompanied by spectacular bioluminescence that produces blue-green flashes in the surf zone at night. Though the current bloom has not resulted in any fish or invertebrate mortality, recurrent blooms may definitely alter water quality and result in ecological consequences, it said.
