The size of the toxic bloom off SA's coast — responsible for widespread marine deaths and economic disruption in the fishing and aquaculture industries — is now estimated to be about 4,500 square kilometres.
Replies
Algae blooms feed on nitrogen and phosphate pollution. Simple science.
aug 29, 2025, 1:03 am • 1 0 • view
aug 29, 2025, 1:41 am • 0 0 • view
What sparks a runaway bloom? Often, it’s a perfect chemical storm. Nutrient-rich runoff from farms and cities flushes nitrogen and phosphorus into the sea, fuelling growth.
aug 29, 2025, 1:46 am • 1 0 • view
I remember seeing the problem in Europe in the 1970s. Polluters in Europe, USA and Australia have a long history of obfuscating the primary drivers, the nutrients, to avoid responsibility for causing algae blooms.
aug 29, 2025, 2:01 am • 1 0 • view
In the 1970s we might still have had a chance. A few people knew what was happening, but the governments refused to stop it. Fear it is too late to stop the environmental collapse. Hope they enjoy spending their money on a dead planet.
aug 29, 2025, 2:14 am • 1 0 • view
In Europe there are many success stories where polluters were forced by fines and court orders to stop the flow of nutrients into water courses.
aug 29, 2025, 3:02 am • 1 0 • view