Blue-green algae observations increased in inland waters and at sea during Midsummer week
The blue-green algae situation in inland waters is calm as typical in early summer, even though blue-green algae observations have increased since last week. On the coast, blue-green algae have been observed slightly more than average. Blue-green algae blooms have also clearly increased in sea areas, especially south of Porkkalanniemi and Helsinki.
Link to the map
Observations of blue-green algae on map
More in Finnish
Sinilevähavainnot lisääntyneet juhannusviikolla sisävesillä ja merellä
Several compounds produced by cyanobacteria can cause health hazards
According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), cyanobacterial occurrences can cause health hazards. Cyanobacteria produce a number of different compounds that can cause symptoms. Some cyanobacteria can produce liver or nerve toxins, but most of the symptoms experienced by swimmers may also be due to other compounds.
Small children and pets should particularly be kept out of water rich with cyanobacteria. Water with cyanobacteria should not be used in a sauna or as washing or irrigation water.
If you suspect a poisoning, seek medical advice, or take the pet to a veterinarian. If necessary, the Poison Information Centre will provide additional instructions.
The municipal health authorities monitor the cyanobacterial situation on beaches.
More information about blue-green algae and health:
- At the the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) website
- At the Poison Information Center website
Report your cyanobacterial observations to the Järvi-meriwiki (Lake and sea wiki)
In Järvi-meriwiki, maintained by the Finnish Environment Institute, you can establish your own observation site and share cyanobacterial observations or make individual observations when moving around waterways. You can also report observations via the smartphone-friendly Havaintolähetti website.
The reported observations are shown on the national cyanobacterial observation map, and they support the national algal situation assessment. Observations about the absence of cyanobacteria are also important.
Järvi-meriwiki is an online service produced in collaboration with authorities and citizens. The service provides basic information on all lakes larger than one hectare as well as different areas of the Baltic Sea. Users can share, for example, photos and other observations on the service.
Municipalities and cities monitor the cyanobacterial situation on the beaches, so it is advisable to report rich cyanobacterial occurrences on beaches to the health authorities of the municipality in question.
This is how you identify cyanobacteria
A small amount of cyanobacteria in the water appears as green or yellowish particles. Narrow stripes of algae can drift to a beach. In calm weather, a substantial amount of cyanobacteria forms greenish or yellowish algal rafts and piles up in coastal water. In spring, yellowish pollen from coniferous trees may also be present in the water. Unlike cyanobacteria, pollen is found not only on the surface water but also, for example, on piers or yard furniture.
Cyanobacteria dissolve into tiny particles in the water if you touch the algal mass with a stick. If the algae become attached to the stick, they are something other than cyanobacteria. In a water vessel, cyanobacteria rise to the surface as tiny greenish particles within about an hour.
- Read more: How do you recognize blue-green algae?
Cyanobacterial observations also in the MarineFinland.fi and Waterinfo.fi services
The cyanobacterial maps presented on the websites MarineFinland.fi and Waterinfo.fi combine the observations reported to the Järvi-meriwiki and from the beaches of the City of Helsinki, as well as the observations based on satellite interpretations made by Syke during the last three days.
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Contacts
LISÄÄ VIIKON VIESTINTÄASIANTUNTIJA!
Inquiries about blue-green algae situationTelephone 1 pm to 3 pm
Lakes: Tel +358 50 5734 347 or +358 295 251 326
State of the Baltic Sea: Tel +358 50 5693 297 or +358 295 251 314
Satellite observations: Tel 358 50 4707 576 or +358 295 251 329, e-mail: Eotuki@syke.fi
Tytti JuustiCommunications Intern
Tel:0295 252 323firstname.lastname@syke.fiMatti LindholmCommunication Specialist
Tel:0295 251 380firstname.lastname@syke.fiImages
Links
It is time to move beyond solving environmental problems one by one, to systemic sustainability transformations. The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) contributes to building a sustainable society through research, information and services. The Finnish Environment Institute is a research institute with 700 experts and researchers located in Helsinki, Oulu, Jyväskylä and Joensuu.
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