Micro-algae are believed to be the cause of massive pollution in Kamchatka

Many marine animals have been found dead on the coast of Kamchatka.

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The massive death of marine animals on the coasts of the Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) in recent weeks is believed to be of natural origin.

It would have been caused by microalgae, according to the first results of the analyzes presented on Monday.

"I am sure that we are facing a natural phenomenon on a fairly large scale," said the vice president of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

In the analyzes of water samples, "high concentrations were only observed for

[microalgae]

 ", which produce "toxins acting on invertebrates", he said.

🇷🇺 Disaster: a #health disaster is underway in #Kamchatka in #Russia.

Hundreds of # marine animals have died and surfers report suspicious smells.

"No incidents detected," according to local authorities.

#greenpeace calls for an investigation.

(NGO) #pollution pic.twitter.com/xleEi8u7Yo

- Mediavenir (@Mediavenir) October 5, 2020

Several pollution hypotheses ruled out

At the beginning of October, scientists noted the presence of a pollution sheet 40 km long, composed of micro-algae, drifting along the coasts.

These microalgae would also explain the nausea, vomiting and diarrhea suffered by the inhabitants of the region.

The hypothesis of industrial pollution from one of the many military sites in the region was therefore ruled out.

Experts had put forward the hypothesis of a toxic rocket fuel leak and implicated a dump of pesticides near the beaches.

These hypotheses, as well as that of oil pollution, were subsequently ruled out.

Corpses of marine animals such as seals, octopus and sea urchins have been covering the beaches of #Kamtchatka, in #Russia 🇷🇺 for several days. @ Greenpeace denounces an "ecological disaster" pic.twitter.com/p2Ds9V84wT

- FRANCE 24 French (@ France24_fr) October 7, 2020

Greenpeace investigates

In recent weeks, an impressive amount of dead marine animals had been observed on the coasts of the peninsula.

The authorities had opened an investigation for "violation of the rules of management of substances and wastes dangerous for the environment" and "marine pollution".

This Sunday, Greenpeace said "the situation is not improving", with dead animals continuing to appear on the beaches.

The NGO also collected dead sea stars and sea urchins for analysis, as harmful substances are more likely to remain in animal tissues than in ocean water.

In a video posted on Facebook, the governor of the region announced that similar phenomena of massive deaths of marine animals have been observed in the south of the peninsula.

Nearly 175,000 people on Monday signed an online petition calling for an "open investigation".

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• Planet

• Investigation

• Algae

• Animals

• Russia

• Pollution