Toxic algae has spread off the coast of Germany

A massive spread of blue-green algae has been recorded in the Baltic Sea and a number of lakes in Germany due to the hot weather. This was reported by Der Spiegel magazine on August 15.

Local authorities recommend that residents and tourists refrain from swimming in affected bodies of water. The problem affected the federal states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein, as well as the Baltic Sea coast up to the borders with Denmark.

In Schleswig-Holstein, swimming in the Warder See, Bordesholmer See, Bramsee and Dorpsee lakes was banned until Wednesday. In addition, in the Ostholstein area on the Baltic Sea coast, vacationers were advised not to enter the water if their legs are not visible below knee level due to the mud.

In such circumstances, the authorities urged parents not to let their children play on the shore or splash in shallow water.

Experts note that blue-green algae are cyanobacteria. Under normal conditions, they are not visible to the naked eye, but they become noticeable when they accumulate in large quantities due to the high temperature of the water.

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On August 7, NTV reported that the water level in the Rhine River in the Dusseldorf area dropped to 14 cm. The problem has also affected other major European rivers. In particular, a decrease in the water level was recorded on the Danube. Experts attribute the ongoing shallowing of the Rhine to the lack of precipitation that has persisted in Europe in recent months.