Right now, large shoals of cyanobacteria are out at sea, and in addition to the west coast of Gotland, smaller occurrences have been reported in several parts of the Stockholm archipelago, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says in a press release.
But according to SMHI, it is no worse than usual.
"On the contrary, it is exactly as it usually is," says Jörgen Öberg, oceanographer at SMHI.
Cyanobacteria can cause stomach problems, fever and muscle pain if ingested. Anyone who has swum in water with algal blooms and has been exposed to cold water is advised to call the Poison Control Center.
The algal bloom, caused by eutrophication in the Baltic Sea, will eventually disappear naturally. But Jörgen Öberg says there is a lot of evidence that the occurrence will remain at about the same level for now, at least in the coming days. The reason is that there is not enough wind.
"If it had started to blow and become really wavy, this would have sort of mixed into the water mass and not become as noticeable as it is now," says Jörgen Öberg.
Facts: Algal bloom
Algal blooms have different colors and appearances depending on how large they are and what species they are.
Blue-green algae blooms in the Baltic Sea often look like a greenish-yellow soup or blue-green stringy mass. The toxicity varies between different species.
If you swim in water with algal blooms, try not to swallow any water. It is also a good idea to shower afterwards.
Poisoning from algal blooms can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. You may also experience skin irritation and eye problems. It is recommended to contact a doctor.
Children and animals may be particularly vulnerable to algal blooms.
Source: SMHI and WWF
