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Disturbing scenes on Thessaloniki's beaches: Sea turns brown from phytoplankton bloom (photos) | Src: Ta Nea (GR) | Desc
🇬🇷 Greece /Environment & Climate

Disturbing scenes on Thessaloniki's beaches: Sea turns brown from phytoplankton bloom (photos) | Src: Ta Nea (GR) | Desc: Red tide and intense eutrophication have been affecting Thessaloniki's coastal front in recent days, causing concern and repulsion among the city's residents and visitors. The phenomenon, characterized by the creation of foul-smelling brown phytoplankton, is worsening daily, turning the sea into a repulsive, yet now familiar, sight for Thessalonians. | Article text: Red tide and intense eutrophication have been affecting Thessaloniki's coastal front in recent days, causing concern and repulsion among the city's residents and visitors. The phenomenon, characterized by the creation of foul-smelling brown phytoplankton, is worsening daily, turning the sea into a repulsive, yet now familiar, sight for Thessalonians. Aerial photographs vividly capture the extent of the problem, as the phenomenon has spread over a large part of the coastal front. As recorded by the Intime agency, in recent days, the rise in temperature and the southerly winds have contributed to the worsening of the situation. The red tide is now visible from the Concert Hall to the old beach, creating a continuous layer of brown slime on the water's surface. According to experts, the surge in phytoplankton in the Thermaic Gulf is due to the inflow of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, originating from urban wastewater and fertilizers. The combination of these substances with high temperatures causes the excessive growth of microorganisms, which form a thick and foul-smelling layer of greenish or light brown slime along the beach. Eutrophication phenomena have reappeared in the Thermaic Gulf since the beginning of the year. The anti-pollution vessel "Alkippi" continues its efforts to limit the effects, however, addressing the problem remains difficult and requires coordinated long-term actions. Latest News Disturbing scenes on Thessaloniki's beaches: Sea turns brown from phytoplankton bloom (photos) Panathinaikos: Russian scenario for Boritsi Concern at Panathinaikos: Rogavopoulos fell on the court and was writhing | Src: Ta Nea (GR) | Lang: el | id: 01KTM9TH5416TE0A3PG4EB35H4

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Thessaloniki's beaches are experiencing a disturbing phenomenon of brown, foul-smelling phytoplankton blooms.
  • The phenomenon, characterized as red tide and eutrophication, has worsened due to rising temperatures and southerly winds.
  • Experts attribute the bloom to nutrient influx from urban wastewater and fertilizers, exacerbated by warm temperatures.

Thessaloniki's coastal waters are presenting a deeply unpleasant and concerning sight as brown, foul-smelling phytoplankton blooms have taken over the beaches. This phenomenon, identified as red tide and eutrophication, has become increasingly severe in recent days, causing distress to residents and visitors alike. The Thermaic Gulf's waters have transformed into a repulsive spectacle, a sight that has unfortunately become familiar to the city's inhabitants.

Aerial photographs vividly illustrate the extent of the problem, showing the bloom stretching across a significant portion of the coastline. The combination of rising temperatures and persistent southerly winds has exacerbated the situation. A continuous layer of brown slime now coats the water's surface, extending from the Thessaloniki Concert Hall to the old beach area.

Experts explain that the excessive growth of phytoplankton in the Thermaic Gulf is driven by the influx of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, originating from urban wastewater and agricultural fertilizers. When these substances mix with high water temperatures, they trigger the overgrowth of microorganisms. This results in the thick, malodorous layer of greenish or light brown slime observed along the shore.

Eutrophication events have occurred in the Thermaic Gulf periodically since the beginning of the year. While the anti-pollution vessel "Alkippi" is working to mitigate the effects, effectively tackling the problem requires sustained, coordinated efforts over time. The current situation underscores the ongoing environmental challenges facing the region's marine ecosystem.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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