Cyanobacteria blooms as a result of overfertilization of the Baltic Sea

Cyanobacterial blooms as a result of Baltic overfertilization

Algae and cyanobacteria blooms in the Baltic occur when organic components: nitrogen and phosphorus compounds are also supplied there, and the sea water temperature remains high. These blooms are the result of overfertilization of the Baltic Sea, WWF reminds us.

Baltic bathing beaches are again open to beachgoersow. The question remains: for how long? The persistence of high water temperatures contributes to the formation of bloomsoIn cyanobacteria and algaeow. Is the next heat waveow will cause red flags to be raised again on the Polish coast?

WWF reminds us that algal bloomsow and cyanobacteria occur inoat a time when organic components (nitrogen and phosphorus compounds) are supplied to the Baltic Sea by rivers and from atmospheric deposition, and the sea water temperature remains high. Cyanobacteria are dangerous to human and animal health. Bathing in water in whichowhere cyanobacteria occur, can cause skin irritationory and gastrointestinal complaints.

Massive algal bloomsow and cyanobacteria cause water turbidity and reduce its transparency. When a bloom of these organismsow is running out, dead algae and cyanobacteria die and sink to the sea floor, where dead matter accumulates, whichora is decomposed by aerobic bacteria. In this process, oxygen is intensively consumed, ktorgo after some time begins to be in short supply for the organisms living there. When oxygen is in short supply, decomposition continues by anaerobic bacteria, ktore release into the environment harmful to organismow sulfideor. In this wayob dead zones are formed – areas with reduced oxygen or complete oxygen deserts, in which theowhich life dies out.

The above-described process of eutrophication, or overfertilization in theod pose the greatest environmental challenge to the Baltic Sea. According to the Helsinki Commission, more than 95 percent of the. Baltic Sea area.

Nitrates and phosphates entering the Baltic come from sewageoIn municipal and industrial, from deposition from the air, but especially from agriculture.

Sourceosource: PAP – Science in Poland, fot. CC-BY 2.0/ Jukka/ Wikimedia Commons

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