First ever winter sighting of blue-green algae in Gulf of Finland

Blue-green algae are typically sighted in July-August, when the seas are warm. (iStock)
The Finnish Environment Institute Syke says that in early January, it received several notifications of blue-green colored ice and algae in the cold waters and ice flows of the Gulf of Finland.

Officials used water and ice samples to confirm that Aphanizomenon algae was the source of a blue-green tint in ice at Pernajanlahti in the eastern Uusimaa region of Finland.

Usually blue-green algae is sighted in July-August when sea water is warm. That’s also when the poisonous Nodularia spumigena blue-green algae is more common.

Though it is not as common, blue-green algae can also form mass deposits in cool water and even under ice.

Aphanizomenon algae is not known to form poisonous blooms in the Baltic Sea. But poisonous strains have been known to infest lakes.

The National Institute for Health and Welfare THL recommends always exercising caution regarding water that contains blue-green algae as it may pose health risks.

Related stories from around the North:

Canada: Thawing permafrost in Canada’s Northwest Territories releasing acid that’s breaking down minerals: study, CBC News

Finland: Increasing ocean acidification ushering era of uncertainty for Arctic, says report, Eye on the Arctic

Norway: Climate change is driving micro-algae blooms into High Arctic and may affect food chains, says study, Eye on the Arctic

Sweden: Toxic algae a threat to Sweden’s water supply, Radio Sweden

United States: Algae-related toxins found in Arctic sea mammals, Alaska Dispatch News

Yle News

For more news from Finland visit Yle News.

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

Leave a Reply

Note: By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that Radio Canada International has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Radio Canada International does not endorse any of the views posted. Your comments will be pre-moderated and published if they meet netiquette guidelines.
Netiquette »

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *