Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 22: Since the last few days the seawater near the seashore that boundaries Karnataka has turned green. Experts blame sudden spurt in the growth of dangerous algae for this phenomenon. They also have warned that the algae can be disastrous for several aquatic creatures including the fish.

With the increase in the quantum of rainfall in coastal Karnataka, rivers have flooded. Some hold that nitrate and phosphate salts which reach the sea with floodwater as responsible for this phenomenon.

Dr Shantanu Kalambi of Reef Watch Marine Conservation says that the seawater between Karwar and Kasargod is turning green. "The growth of algae during this season was witnessed last year too. But during the last decade, there has been no proper documentation about the growth of algae. Therefore, it is difficult to say how will the algae flourish or behave this year," he said. He informed that samples of water collected from the sea at Suratkal, Kundapur and Karwar have been sent to fisheries college for testing. He felt that algae could be the single-cell algae like the Noctiluca Sap. He added that similar algae were also witnessed at Goa during last year."

"With the concentration of algae, the colour of seawater undergoes a change. It can turn green or brown with a shade of yellow, red, or dark green," he opined. Shantanu said that growth of algae has also been seen at Kasargod beaches. He observed that the intensity of algae had come down on Monday, September 21. Dr K Arunkumar, head of Botany department of Kerala Central University said that green algae like Harnelia Marina can endanger some kinds of fish.