Algae blooms causing foul smells, weird colours on popular Queensland beaches – ABC News
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BERITA BAHASA INDONESIA
TOK PISIN
By Bree Dwyer
ABC Sunshine Coast
Topic:Oceans and Reefs
Foul smells and unusual colours have confused beachgoers at some of Australia's most popular holiday spots over the past week.
But the odd hues and "rotting fish" stench are a natural phenomenon caused by annual algae blooms.
Denise Lindon from Sunshine Coast Council said algae was appearing along numerous stretches of the region's coastlines.
Trichodesmium is a blue-green algae, also known as Sea Sawdust, that blooms during the warmer months.
"As it starts to break down in the water column, it changes to all these wonderful colours," Ms Lindon said.
"From pinks and purples, to greens, then eventually black when it gets washed off onto our shores."
The water at Moffat Beach on the Sunshine Coast turned bright pink. (Supplied: Damien Lange, Droner.au)
Photographer Damien Lange noticed the bright pink water on his morning walk at Moffat Beach, near Caloundra.
"I've lived on the coast for 25 years and I've never seen anything like it before," he said.
The ocean turns pink as algae starts to break down in the water. (Supplied: Damien Lange, Droner.au)
He quickly launched his drone and captured some stunning images of the event.
But the pink sea didn't last long.
"You could really smell it the next day, and the water had turned green," he said.
Caloundra man Doug Bazley says scammers took over his Facebook business page.
Photographer Doug Bazley captured some of the browner algae blooms at nearby King's Beach.
"This isn't the beautiful view I normally see," he said.
"I wouldn't recommend going for a swim while this is around.
"You could end up with some irritation."
Algae blooms captured off the coast of Caloundra. (Supplied: Doug Bazley, Bluey's Photography)
Ms Lindon said the algae wasn't dangerous to humans or pets, but it could cause irritation in rare cases.
"It does release a small toxin, but it's not known to impact humans at all," she said.
"It's certainly still safe to swim but we do advise to avoid it.
Trichodesmium algae causes the water around Caloundra to turn brown. (Supplied: Doug Bazley, Bluey's Photography)
"Particularly where it's particularly thick, just as a precaution."
Trichodesmium is an important part of the marine food chain but experts say it can cause fish kills if large blooms deplete the water of oxygen.
Algae emitted strong smells at Cotton Tree Beach at Maroochydore. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Mark Kennedy)
Ms Lindon said it was most likely to show up in calm waters.
"Bulcock Beach is probably a peak area at the moment," she said.
"As well as our coastal lagoons like Currimundi Lake and Tooway Lake."
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Analysis by Patricia Karvelas
Topic:Work
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Caloundra
Currimundi
Environmental Impact
Kings Beach
Maroochydore
Moffat Beach
Mooloolaba
Noosa Heads
Oceans and Reefs
Tourism and Leisure Industry
Water
Water Pollution
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Topic:Unrest, Conflict and War
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