Blue-green algae have bloomed in the bathing areas of several counties / Article / LSM.lv

Yesterday, 7:05 p.m.

Authors:
Zemgale regional television

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Summer weather conditions have returned this week, however, in several bathing areas of the counties, we should refrain from enjoying water pleasures, because blue algae harmful to human health has multiplied in the water. Currently, the presence of blue-green algae has been laboratory confirmed in several recreational areas in the Daugava in Ķekava region, but the presence of algae is also suspected in Bauska and Baldone regions.

There are no official bathing places in Ķekava region, however, in the six most popular water quality is regularly monitored by municipal environmental specialists. Since last weekend, the announcement in three bathing areas says that swimming is not recommended because of the growth of blue-green algae in the water.

Sigita Varika, the chief environmental manager of Ķekava municipality, says that the concentration of blue-green algae was relatively low. “Samples were taken last Tuesday. Now a week has passed, the weather has not been hot and, visually, the concentration has decreased, as there is no reason to be very worried, ”she says.

In the Daugava opposite the Death Island, blue-green algae are almost invisible this morning, but in the bathing area near the Daugmale castle mound the water surface is still covered with a blue-green layer. Blue-green algae have also been found in the Daugava near the recreation site “Ziedonis”.

“Every year the situation is different. Last summer there were more blue-green algae, especially near Daugmale castle mound, but not every summer, ”Varika points out.

Bauska municipality is also preparing to perform analyzes, where algal blooms have been found in the Mūsa River, as well as Baldone municipality, where blue-green algae are suspected in the bathing place “Saliņas”.

Normunds Kadiķis, the head of the Environmental Health Department of the Health Inspectorate, explained that this year the weather conditions are not favorable for the development of blue-green algae, however, in waters rich in nutrients, their reproduction is possible.
Blue-green algal blooms are a biological process, but you should not swim in such places, because there are many species of algae, and some of them are toxic. It cannot be determined only visually.

“It can only be determined by performing toxin analyzes in water, which, in my opinion, no laboratory in Latvia does, because it is complicated and expensive enough. There have been some studies, but then these analyzes have been sent abroad, ”explains Kadikis.

Blue-green algae multiply in late July and early August during prolonged dry and hot weather.

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