Toxic Algae Blooms Expected in Southern Waters
Image: YLE
The Marine Research Centre of the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) says there is a moderately high risk of toxic blue-green algae blooms this summer off Finland's south coast.
According to a forecast issued on Friday, the highest concentrations of algae are expected on the Gulf of Finland, the eastern part of the Archipelago and in southern parts of the Baltic Sea.
The incidence of poisonous algae depends largely on this summer's weather. The institute predicts that the highest concentrations will come in late July. However stretches of calm, warm weather may cause rafts of the unwanted vegetation to form earlier.
The risk of blooms for the entire Baltic is lower than last year, but that in the Gulf of Finland is higher.
SYKE will issue an update on the algae situation every Thursday this summer, beginning next week.
Blue-green algae can pose health risks especially for the infirm, children and pets.
YLE