Latest news with #AlgalBlooms
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
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.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Current swimming advisories in Hampton Roads & NENC
Swimming and other recreational activities in contaminated water can make people ill. Swimming advisories are typically issued when water sample results exceed the State Water Quality Standard for bacteria in natural waters. State health agencies may also issue advisories after pollution incidents such as sewer overflows, chemical spills, or major storm events. An advisory warns you that you face elevated risk. The risk is especially elevated for children, who are more likely to swallow the water, or those who have open wounds or weakened immune systems. VIRGINIA: No current swimming advisories. Testing the Waters: How experts check for fecal bacteria at local beaches NORTH CAROLINA: On April 24, the Dept. of Environmental Quality notified the public of a swimming advisory issued for an an area at Jockey's Ridge Sound-side Access in Nags Head. Test results of water samples exceeded the state and federal standards for bacteria levels. This advisory is not a beach closing. Swimming advisories are for waters within 200 feet of the posted sign. State officials will continue testing the site, and will remove the sign and notify the public again when the bacteria levels decrease to levels below the standards. 10 On Your Side will continue to update this page as advisories are added or lifted. Check back for updates. To view the current list of swimming advisories provided by the Virginia Department of Health, click . To view the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's list of swimming advisories, click . For information on North Carolina Algal Blooms, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
22-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
How scientists are using their senses to test the Delaware Valley's water quality
Despite the laboratory's floor-to-ceiling windows revealing a cloudy morning outside, Kandé Duncan's smile brightens up the room as she welcomes her co-workers. Duncan needs their opinions on the taste and smell of several drinks she poured into cups that are lined up along a long table. "I enjoy people's reactions," Duncan said. "I love when we get something unexpected." Over the next hour, she and her co-workers sniff and slurp several samples while discussing what smells and flavors they can detect. "Ugh!" Duncan exclaimed. "I do smell this one!" "It burns my nose," Joey Forish, her co-worker, said. "It's like a wine tasting!" another co-worker suggested. Except they're not judging wine; They're tasting and smelling water samples. All three co-workers are employees at Aqua, a water utility based in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. "The last thing you want to hear is that, 'Oh my gosh! I'm opening my tap, and this is not smelling right or tasting right,'" said Duncan, who's an Aqua chemist. "We do take your complaints seriously." Despite the fun they have, it's serious work. The bi-weekly taste and smell tests help them detect compounds found in Harmful Algal Blooms , or HABs. Climate change is causing more HABs to grow in areas where utilities get drinking water for customers. HABs can make people sick and make drinking water taste and smell nasty. Forish, an Aqua chemist, said taste and smell tests allow him to think less like a scientist and more like a consumer. "Being able to remove ourselves and ensure that our customers are getting the water that we enjoy, we know that they're going to enjoy as well," Forish said. Duncan added, "If we're not afraid to taste and smell it, you shouldn't be. It's of a high standard."
