Warning of blue/green algal bloom at Loch Ruthven as Highland Council places temporary warning notices in the area following investigation by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
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Highland Council has placed temporary warning notices around Loch Ruthven following the discovery of blue/green algae blooms in the water.
The alarm was raised around noon on Friday and officers from Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) were called in to investigate.
A council spokeswoman said: “SEPA decided sampling was not required and presence of a potential bloom in its early stages has to date only been confirmed visually.
“Given the extremely hot and dry period which favours formation of blooms, coupled with the English school holidays starting on Friday, it was felt prudent to put out an advisory alert to raise awareness as there is currently a much greater likelihood of blooms occurring and there has been far greater public interaction with watercourses in the last few weeks which seem set to continue.”
Blue/green algae occur naturally in lochs, ponds, reservoirs, rivers and in the sea. Sometimes the blue green algae can form blooms which can release toxins into the water. They are a common seasonal occurrence and blooms occur across the Highlands fairly regularly each year.
However, during this current period of prolonged warm weather, the chance of blue-green algae affecting water courses increases significantly.
In still waters, the algae can multiply during the summer to such an extent that they discolour the water making it appear green, blue-green or greenish brown.
Shoreline mats of blue-green algae may appear and are usually coloured brown to black. Sometimes a scum may form on the surface of the water. This scum can appear in different places at different times, but is most commonly found near the shoreline.
Contact with blue/green algae can have health effects for humans and animals. The health effects on people coming into contact with toxic scums include skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever and pains in muscles and joints. The toxins, which may be produced by the algae, are also poisonous to animals and can cause severe illness and death of livestock, dogs, waterbirds and fish.
It is advised that people avoid contact with the algal scum and the water close to it. The risk posed by blue-green algae to small animals like dogs is significant over the summer months as they tend to drink more water in the heat and may eat shoreline algal crusts. Dog owners should prevent their pets from coming into contact with water which could be affected.
