Sea turning red in Puducherry | NGT panel inspects beach, to submit report in 15 days
- Recently, the principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a committee to analyse the cause of the Promenade beach turning red in Puducherry.
Ossible Causes
- The report suggests that the red color may be due to algal bloom and reddish tinge was observed at various patches along the coastline.
- Concerns were raised about industrial pollution or 'Red Tide' as potential factors behind the phenomenon.
Red Tide
- It is a common term used for a harmful algal bloom.
- Harmful Algal Blooms, or HABs, occur when colonies of algae grow out of control and produce toxic or harmful effects
- The name “red tide” comes from the fact that overgrowth of algae can cause the colour of the water to turn red.
Causes
- Chemicals from farming, factories, sewage treatment plants and other sources can become dissolved in water on the land.
- This water, called runoff, eventually flows into the ocean and can cause algae to grow faster, leading to red tides.
Impacts
- Some of the algae that cause a red tide produce powerful toxins, which are harmful chemicals that can kill fish, shellfish, mammals and birds.
- If people eat fish or shellfish that have been in the water with toxic algae, they will also ingest the toxins, which can make them sick.
Prelims Takeaway
- National Green Tribunal (NGT)
- Red Tide