- Yesterday we received a record number of observations that blooms have been seen along most of the Baltic coast.
On satellite images, we have seen accumulations in the southern Baltic Sea and a little outside the Stockholm archipelago, says Emma Lemos, marine biologist at the County Administrative Board Stockholm Information Center.
Thrives in bathing weather
The warm summer weather has benefited the algae bloom.
- The algae thrive where we thrive.
They love calm winds and sunny bathing weather, where they feel great.
It's sad but when we want to be on the beach the algae want to be too.
The algae, or the so-called cyanobacteria, as it is actually called, thrive especially well in the Baltic Sea.
They accumulate in small particles that clump together on the surface of the water.
May be dangerous for children and animals
How to think if you suspect that there are bacteria where you should bathe?
- Some are toxic, but not all.
It can be difficult for ordinary people to see which species are exactly where they bathe.
That is why you should always be careful and especially when it comes to small children and pets because pets often get a lot of water, says Emma Lemos.
- It is so toxic that it has actually happened that some dogs or cows have died.
If there is a lot in the water, adults should also avoid swimming and not dipping their head.