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ABC News
5 days ago
- Science
- ABC News
Search on for how and where SA's algal bloom started, and where it's going
As South Australia's algal bloom creeps along the state's coasts, scientists are trying to find out what caused it, where it started and where it is heading next. The current bloom was first reported on beaches on the southern tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula in March before spreading across the Gulf of St Vincent. The federal and state governments have committed a combined $28 million to tackle the issue, some of which will be spent on research. University of Technology Sydney harmful algae bloom expert Professor Shauna Murray said the impact of the bloom was unprecedented in Australia. Professor Murray said while it was important to understand the chain of events that led to the bloom, more important was understanding how it could be quickly detected "so we can be prepared to respond to it", she said. "If it occurs then we know what to expect, we know what areas it might affect, we might understand a bit better how it will affect those areas." Though the first reports linked to the bloom were on Waitpinga Beach, estuarine ecologist Faith Coleman thinks fish kills further south and east could have been connected. "Areas like Portland in Victoria, and looking at the Eight Mile Creek [south of Mount Gambier], those places have had over the last couple of years [seen] a series of smaller blooms, best we can tell," Ms Coleman said. "Although they weren't investigated at the time, each one of those periods of large fish kills have tied into an extreme event relating to a large amount of seagrass death and seaweed death, and either exceptionally cold or hot waters. "We suspect that this particular bloom started somewhere near Robe." While it was not yet clear exactly where the bloom started, Flinders University Associate Professor Jochen Kaempf is trying to predict where it is going. He has developed a computer model to predict how the bloom could be developing. "It very likely becomes weaker and might disappear, or looks like disappearing," Dr Kaempf said. "The big question is whether it will turn up again when it gets warmer in the next summer months. "Will it maybe appear in the Spencer Gulf? [That] is way more concerning in terms of its ecological significance. "We have the sardine stock, the prawns, the cuttlefish. That's a big concern." The state government has said a marine heatwave, nutrients washing into the sea from the 2022-'23 River Murray flood, and an "unprecedented" cold-water upwelling in the summer of 2023-'24 are plausible contributing factors to the bloom. Dr Kaempf discovered the Great Southern Australian Coastal Upwelling System and has been studying it for more than two decades. The event attracts a range of marine life, including dolphins and whales. Dr Kaempf said there would not be a relationship between the 2023-'24 upwelling and the current bloom as blooms develop over the course of one to two months. "It's just too long ago and not linked to the bloom that we're seeing now," he said. Ms Coleman said the impacts of the upwelling on the algal bloom are likely to be insignificant compared to the marine heatwave. "What happened is what always happens — which is that it blows a little bit of extra nutrients that it's accumulated over time up into the main water column," she said. "Those were immediately taken up by a diatom bloom that you could see from space." Ms Coleman said the government likely has not had time to rule out the upwelling or flood as contributing factors. "Even SARDI and PIRSA reports say quite clearly the primary cause is climate change," she said. South Australia's Department for Primary Industries and Regions was contacted for comment.
ABC News
23-07-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
What is happening with SA's algal bloom and why should the rest of Australia care?
South Australia is dealing with an "unprecedented" environmental disaster, which has spread throughout the coastline, killing thousands of sea creatures and taking a toll on businesses, tourism and the mental health of those who live and work near the sea. Authorities and scientists say climate change has been a key driver in the algal bloom and warn the bloom is unlikely to go away anytime soon. Here's what we know so far. What causes algal blooms? UTS marine biologist Shauna Murray told the ABC earlier this year that marine phytoplankton were generally a good thing for the environment, creating up to a half of the world's oxygen. But a small percentage of the more than 100,000 different species of microalgae are harmful or toxic. What is the algal bloom in South Australia? The harmful algal bloom dominating South Australia's coastline is Karenia mikimotoi . In low numbers, the microscopic algae cannot be seen by the naked eye. Here's what it looks like under a microscope: The samples that showed karenia mikimotoi to be present in the Coorong were collected by Glen and Tracy Hill. ( Supplied: Faith Coleman ) "So, they're not visible as cells to the naked eye, but you can see the colouring, so when they're extremely abundant you can see a sort of slight … water discolouration that is reddy, brown … but not always," UTS researcher Shauna Murray told the ABC earlier this year. And from the coastline, it can wash up a brown-coloured foam, which looks like this: The algae produced large amounts of foam again at Knights Beach at Port Elliot over Easter. ( ABC South East SA: Caroline Horn ) How did the bloom begin? SA Environment Minister Susan Close said the outbreak followed three key events. In 2022/23 the state experienced flooding along the River Murray, which saw run-off enter the Southern Ocean. Here's an image of the run off from above: After that, in 2023/24 a cold upswelling brought nutrient rich water to the surface. And in September 2024, a marine heatwave began, which saw temperatures 2.5 degrees Celsius above normal levels. On March 15, surfers and beachgoers reported illnesses after visiting Waitpinga Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula. By March 16, a brown foam and dead sea life was found on the beach, marking the beginning of a months-long crisis along SA's coastlines. Dr Close said all of those events could be attributed to climate change. What does the algal bloom do to humans? Health authorities say contact with Karenia mikimotoi can cause flu-like symptoms, including skin rashes and respiratory symptoms, but no long-term health impacts. For surfer Anthony Rowland, who first felt the impact of the bloom at Waitpinga Beach, it started as a tickle in his throat and then progressed to a cough. Anthony Rowland said he felt as though authorities did not take his initial reports seriously. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) He reported other surfers in the area having blurred vision, wheezing and sore throats. How do you treat algal bloom sickness symptoms? SA Health's advice is to stay out of waters where the bloom appears to be present, but if you do come into contact with it to leave the area and wash yourself. "If symptoms are more severe or do not resolve, seek medical advice from a GP and call 000 if it is a medical emergency," SA Health states on its website. How does it kill fish? Professor Murray said the algae affects fish gills and skin. " Karenia mikimotoi doesn't actually produce a toxin but it does produce what's called reactive oxygen species so this can damage the gills of fish and it can affect skin cells," she said. "What this damaging the gills of the fish means is marine animals basically drown if their gills become too damaged." A globe fish on the beach at Waitpinga, south of Victor Harbor, after the initial outbreak in March. ( ABC South East SA: Caroline Horn ) Other dead sea mammals have been found dead along the coast, including dolphins and sea lions. The official advice is that Karenia mikimotoi isn't toxic to mammals. The government said it was not uncommon for marine mammal carcasses to wash ashore after winter storms. SA authorities are performing autopsies to determine the cause. Where is the algal bloom at the moment? As of July 18, authorities say the bloom is present in the Gulf Saint Vincent, which covers many of Adelaide's metropolitan beaches, as well as areas in the Fleurieu Peninsula and the Spencer Gulf. This satellite image shows levels of chlorophyll a in red, which is an indicator of the bloom's presence: A July 16, 2025, sea surface map of chlorophyll-a levels on the South Australian coast, which can indicate algae concentrations. ( Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA ) On Wednesday, a dead sea turtle found at Glenelg was among the latest casualties. What kills an algal bloom? According to the latest science, nothing can be done to dilute or dissipate the bloom. When it first appeared, scientists predicted a cold winter front would help dissipate it. But the ongoing marine heatwave and drought conditions meant rain did not arrive until winter, and the storm fronts have done little to hamper the bloom so far. A birdseye view of the algal bloom in waters off the Fleurieu Peninsula. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) There have been some glimmers of hope though. Estuarine ecologist Faith Coleman detected Noctiluca scintillans — the algae which causes "sea sparkle". "What they do is they go round, they eat other bacteria and algae, and in this case it looks like they're probably eating Karenia mikimotoi ," Ms Coleman said. Is it safe to eat fish? Fishing businesses and scientists have told the ABC catches are down 50 per cent in some parts of the state, but for those still fishing, business is also being impacted by the news of the bloom. SA Environment Minister Susan Close said she would be looking at further measures to remind consumers that fish for sale was still safe to eat. "SA Health advises that fish caught live are safe to eat," PIRSA's website states. "However, SA Health does not recommend people eat fish or cockles found dead because of likely spoilage and decomposition." South Australian Fisherman Co-Operative Limited manager Ian Mitchell told the ABC earlier this week he had "fishermen in tears on the phone", but the mood was better following the announcement of state and federal funding. This week, the federal government announced $14 million in funding to help South Australia deal with the algal bloom outbreak, but stopped short of declaring it a national disaster. On Tuesday, the SA government said it would match federal funding, with the resources to go to helping impacted industries, further research and monitoring and holding public community information forums. "The feeling was a lot better today than the last three months. There was a fair bit of fish considering the weather was pretty poor, and prices were up a little bit so it seems like the public is listening to, you know, it is safe to eat," Mr Mitchell said. What has the impact been and what's next? The bloom has killed thousands of sea creatures, decimated local sea habitats and has spread at an unprecedented level. It has had a huge impact on commercial fishing, tourism and other businesses who operate in or near the sea. The fish kills have been a hot topic on the island since the beginning of the algal bloom outbreak. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) The toll on those who work in the space has also been significant. So what's next? Flinders University Associate Professor of Natural Sciences (Oceanography) Jochen Kaempf has developed a computer model to predict where the algae will spread next. While awaiting peer review, the model predicts the bloom will ease over winter, but worsen next summer. "There is nothing you can actually do to prevent it. The only thing you can do is you can hope that there is enough of the zooplankton, which are swimming, small marine plankton that actually eat, take up enough of the algae so that it can't re-evolve in the next summer when the water gets warmer again," Professor Kaempf said. "The only thing that can actually only clear it up is if it's consumed, if it's eaten by other marine organisms of the food chain."
The Age
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Age
‘Cyclone underwater': Why the algae disaster could hit Australia's east coast
The harmful algal bloom devastating marine ecosystems off the coast of South Australia is the largest of its kind ever recorded in Australia and could easily occur on the east coast, experts warn. On Tuesday, the South Australian government announced it will match funding promised by the federal government, bringing the total package to deal with the deadly Karenia mikimotoi outbreak to $28 million. The outbreak of the toxic microalgae was first discovered in March on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and has since spread to the Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Gulf Saint Vincent and Spencer Gulf. Beachgoers and scientists have documented a vast array of sea creatures washing up dead on beaches. An online citizen science project has identified 450 species killed by the bloom, with the most affected being Southern Fiddler rays. 'It's the biggest bloom of Karenia mikimotoi we've experienced in Australia, but [not] anywhere in the world,' said Professor Shauna Murray, a marine biologist at the University of Technology Sydney. 'There have been larger blooms of Karenia mikimotoi in northern China – it's been very problematic there.' What caused the toxic algal bloom in South Australia? SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said three factors had contributed to the deadly outbreak. The 2022-23 Murray River floods, the biggest since 1956, had forced the largest volume of nutrients from the Murray-Darling system into the marine environment for 70 years.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts issue dire warning after thousands of marine animals wash up dead on coastline: 'It's devastating'
Something disturbing is unfolding along the South Australia coastline — and the pictures alone are crushing. Over the last few months, beaches have become graveyards, with thousands of fish, shellfish, and other marine animals washing ashore lifeless. A toxic algal bloom, caused by a species known as Karenia mikimotoi, has been destroying marine life in South Australian waters. The algae produce brevetoxins that are lethal to anything with gills, suffocating fish and invertebrates and causing massive die-offs along the coastline. At least 9,000 animals across more than 390 species have been reported dead so far — and many believe the actual number is much higher, with most deaths going unrecorded. "This is incredibly sad," one commenter said on Instagram, where footage of the grim scene has circulated widely. "It's devastating," another added. While such blooms have occurred elsewhere — in China, the North Atlantic, and New Zealand — what makes this one especially alarming is its size, duration, and intensity. Marine biologist Shauna Murray called it "quite unusual," adding that the limited number of harmful algal bloom experts — just five to 10 in the country — made responding quickly even more difficult. The consequences of this event extend far beyond what's visible on the shoreline. Toxic blooms don't just kill marine life — they disrupt entire ecosystems. In a similar event in Wellington Harbor in the 1990s, it took three to five years for the ecosystem to stabilize. With this outbreak spanning a much larger area, the timeline for recovery could stretch even longer. What's fueling the bloom is still under investigation, but rising ocean temperatures — even by a single degree — may be a contributing factor. Murray explained that Karenia mikimotoi thrives under specific conditions, and small shifts in temperature, nutrients, and ocean currents can trigger rapid growth. As global waters continue to warm, scientists worry these events may become more frequent and more deadly. Though local response teams have managed the situation as well as possible given limited resources, experts say long-term solutions are urgently needed. That includes government funding for marine research, improved monitoring systems, and early detection tools to help communities respond before damage is done. For individuals, reducing runoff from fertilizers and supporting sustainable seafood practices can help limit the conditions that feed harmful algae. Supporting marine science initiatives and habitat restoration programs can also make a big impact over time. While we can't reverse what's happened on the South Australian coast, there's still time to learn from it — and to act before the next bloom is triggered. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
ABC News
04-07-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
SA's toxic algal bloom is unlikely to end soon so what are the consequences?
It's an unprecedented ecological disaster, and authorities can't say when it will end. South Australia's toxic algal bloom has been affecting waters off parts of the state's coast since at least March. There were hopes winter weather conditions would help it dissipate, but so far the bloom hasn't gone away. So what do we know about the bloom, and — perhaps more importantly — what don't we know? What caused the bloom? According to Environment Minister Susan Close, there are three main factors that allowed the algae, Karenia mikimotoi , to bloom. The first is a lot of nutrients were flushed into South Australian waters as a result of the River Murray floods in 2023, providing a food source for the algae. There's also been a marine heatwave off the state's coast since October 2024, where sea temperatures have been sitting more than two degrees Celsius above normal. The third factor was a series of high pressure systems that meant the water was relatively still and didn't wash the algae out to sea. Susan Close says the algae is not toxic to human beings. ( ABC News: Lincoln Rothall ) Ms Close said all three factors can be attributed to climate change. "All three of the conditions that lead to this have been exacerbated by climate change," she said. "We can't hide our head in the sand and pretend that this is somehow a phenomenon that might have somehow happened without climate change." Marine biologist from the University of Sydney Shauna Murray said it's to early to pinpoint the exact causes. Small fish have washed up dead on Brighton Beach this week. ( ABC News: Olivia Mason ) "It's certainly true that the marine environment is changing and these changes come with a lack of predictability," she said. "But I think we don't have the data yet and it's going to take time to look through it all and figure it out." How does the bloom affect fish? Foam and dead sea life are the two key hallmarks of the bloom. Professor Murray said the algae affects fish gills and skin. " Karenia mikimotoi doesn't actually produce a toxin but it does produce what's called reactive oxygen species so this can damage the gills of fish and it can affect skin cells," she said. "What this damaging the gills of the fish means is marine animals basically drown if their gills become too damaged." Professor Shauna Murray is one of only a handful of experts in Australia who research algal blooms. ( Supplied UTS: Toby Burrows ) Professor Murray said low levels of brevetoxin have also been detected in the bloom, which could also be responsible for deaths. She said Karenia mikimotoi doesn't create brevetoxins, but other species of karenia have also been detected in the bloom " Karenia mikimotoi is the main species and Karenia mikimotoi doesn't produce brevetoxin so we know that's not the major reason," she said. The algae produced large amounts of foam at Knights Beach in SA's South Coast in April. ( ABC South East SA: Caroline Horn ) "In this particular bloom we've found several other species of karenia. "None of them are a smoking gun in terms of we know that they have previously produced brevetoxins but having said that we need to get them into culture and test them." If it affects gill fish — why are dolphins and seals being found dead? The official advice is that Karenia mikimotoi isn't toxic to mammals. The government said it's not uncommon for marine mammal carcasses to wash ashore after winter storms. But it is testing a dolphin carcass that was found at Tennyson Beach last Monday to see if the bloom contributed to its death. Professor Murray said the presence of brevetoxin could be a factor. "It's certainly within the scope that this could be related and I think there would have to be investigation to try and work that out," she said. Where has the bloom reached? The bloom was first reported by surfers at Waitpinga Beach in March, after they experienced coughing and respiratory affects from the algae. Since then, its impacts — foaming seas and fish kills — have been seen along the Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and Yorke Peninsula. At its largest, the government said it was the size of Kangaroo Island. The winter storms that many hoped would break up the bloom have dissipated it slightly, but they have also pushed it further into the Gulf St Vincent, where it's now affecting Adelaide's metropolitan beaches. Low levels of the algae have been found in West Lakes, and testing is being done in the Port River, with fears it could reach there as well. Why is it persisting, and when will it go away? The government admits, it didn't anticipate the bloom would be this prolonged, and can't predict how long it will last. The last time there was a harmful bloom of Karenia mikimotoi was at Coffin Bay in 2014, but while it caused some damage locally, it lasted little more than a week. Dead sea life can be seen along South Australia's coast. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) Estuarine ecologist Faith Coleman said most algal blooms pass so quickly, they are rarely noted. "Then there are this group of blooms that last three to four months and those ones cover a larger area, they're often in the more open marine zone and they attract an awful lot more attention," she said. "What concerns me is there's this class of blooms that last around the 18 months to two years and there seems to be this gap between three to four months and 18 months to two years. "So I am deeply concerned that since we have passed that three to four month point with this … that we are looking at a bloom that will now go for 18 months if it doesn't clear this winter." Ms Coleman said if it persists through winter, it's likely to bloom with more intensity in summer. Ecologist Faith Coleman started testing water samples from Waitpinga in the days after the initial algal bloom. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) The other concern is even when the bloom dissipates, Karenia mikimotoi can lie dormant, and bloom again when the conditions are right. If this bloom continues for a year or more, what are the consequences? Ms Coleman said eco-systems can quickly bounce back from short algal blooms, but prolonged ones can have major ecological consequences. A dead dolphin spotted at Grange Beach. ( Supplied: Jock Lawrie ) "One event, fish can swim out, breed somewhere else or miss a breeding for the year and come back in again," Ms Coleman said. "Also things like fish eggs and spores for the macro algae and the seeds of the seagrasses quite comfortably accommodate one bad season. "They don't accommodate so well multiple bad seasons. Two is not good, three is quite bad. By the time you get to four or five seasons in a row, you're starting to lose major parts of your ecosystem." What's being done for the fishing and aquaculture industries? The bloom has taken its toll on fishing and aquaculture, with some oyster farms on the Yorke Peninsula being closed down, and fishers reporting reduced catch. Ms Close said the government is working with industry to see how it can help, but this bloom is a "real lesson" to people who rely on the marine environment for their livelihood. "I think farmers on land have become used to the idea of frequent droughts and they're very well aware that we're in a drying period as a result of climate change," she said. "I think people who are dependent on the marine environment need to appreciate that they can no longer rely on a stable and predictable marine environment." Dead pipis along the shoreline at Goolwa Beach. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) Ms Close said businesses should consider things like business interruption insurance and other measures to make themselves more resilient to climate change. But she said the good news is that Karenia mikimotoi isn't toxic to humans — and any fish caught in South Australian waters is still safe to eat. Is there anything we can do? There's nothing that can be done to dissipate a bloom the size of this one, and addressing climate change takes a global effort. But Ms Close said there are things that can be done to make the environment more prepared to tackle the impacts of climate change. "The better we look after the environment, the more resilient it will be when we have these sorts of crises linked to climate change," she said. "We need to explicitly decouple our economic growth and prosperity from asking nature to always take a bit more of a hit." A Port Jackson shark has been found dead among other marine life on Adelaide beaches. ( ABC News: Olivia Mason ) Ms Close said examples of where the South Australian government had done that was through establishing marine parks and sanctuaries, and through waterways management. Professor Murray said one lesson from the bloom is more monitoring of our waters are needed. "We need to have a bit more regular monitoring of recreational waters and beaches for harmful algal blooms," she said. "In the past all our monitoring is linked to shellfish aquaculture areas which is obviously very important but just that we need to expand this to other waters." Faith Coleman says prolonged algal blooms could have major consequences. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) Faith Coleman said there are ways local communities can respond to the bloom, by establishing more oyster reefs, muscle beds and seagrass beds. "We're seeing that embayments with lost of seagrasses and lots of macro algae and lots of filter feeders, even though those things are really badly impacted by this algae, those areas that have lots of them are less badly impacted," she said. "It is a scale that is huge, but if each local community does one, and each local government does one little area then maybe we'll get there at a statewide level." Ms Close said part of its research into this bloom will be how to best protect marine ecosystems, and what can be done to invest in restoration. "How are we going to bounce back? Do we need to invest in more reefs? Do we need to invest in an even greater network of marine parks?" she said. "All of that will be a guide of how we get better to responding to climate change."
