Residents of Kamchatka warned about “red tides” in Avacha Bay
The Kamchatka branch of the Pacific Institute of Geography of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has recorded a dangerous phenomenon in the waters of the Avacha Bay, Kamchatka.Today reports.
The Kamchatka branch of the Pacific Institute of Geography has sent an alarming warning to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kamchatka Territory. Scientists’ concern is explained by the massive blooming of toxic microalgae, which caused the water to turn red. This type of microalgae is a producer of saxitoxin, a powerful neuroparalytic poison.
The phenomenon was recorded in the waters of the Avacha Bay from Mokhovaya Bay to the Zavoiko Peninsula. An analysis of water samples taken on July 15 in the area of Cape Signalny showed that the number of dangerous microalgae in the surface layer of the water amounted to 136 thousand cells per 1 liter. As early as July 16, there was a rapid increase in the number: 3 million 272 thousand cells per liter were recorded at Signalny, and 5 million 727 thousand cells per liter were recorded in Mokhovaya Bay. Given the increase in water temperature, a further increase in the number of toxic cells is predicted.
During the “red tide” period, mass deaths of marine organisms, including fish, birds and mammals, are usually observed. Residents of the Kamchatka Territory are urgently asked to refrain from swimming in waters where dangerous microalgae have been found, and not to eat seafood caught there.
Photo: KamchatNIRO. Red tide in Avacha Bay, September 2011