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A toxic type of seaweed, that has reportedly killed three people in Brittany because of its toxic fumes, is not likely to ever be a problem in Guernsey, Environmental Health has said.
Green algal blooms, or 'Green tides' forms when a species of Ulva, or sea lettuce, forms dense blooms.
These blooms are becoming more common in France, and have led to six beaches being closed over the summer. The algae, which comes from seaweed, releases toxic fumes when it is stepped on, as the gas builds up beneath a surface crust. It had become a particular problem in the country because of the amount of nitrates farms release on to beaches as waste.
Although there have been concerns over this algae in France since the 1970s, according to a Sky News report, at least three people and a large number of animals died from inhaling the hydrogen sulphide in recent months.
Guernsey should be safe, however, as while it is known that Jersey can have small outbreaks of these 'green tides', Guernsey is very unlikely to ever have any because of the shape of its bays.
Pictured: The seaweed regularly found on Guernsey beaches is mostly brown vraic which becomes detached during storms.
Research that has been done has given Environmental Health the confidence to say this, as it shows the blooms will only occur in shallow, sandy, semi-enclosed bay that receives high nutrient levels, usually via runoff from the land.
"This is the situation for the recent events in Brittany where beaches on the end of estuaries have been particularly badly affected. The blooms are fed by a high nutrient supply derived largely from agricultural runoff. On certain tides, the algae can accumulate on the shore to a considerable depth and, as it rots, the bacteria release a smelly gas which can build up under the top crust leading to the release of gas when disturbed," a spokesperson said.
"Although Jersey has been dealing with green tides for several decades, Guernsey is unlikely to have an issue as it lacks the wide, semi-enclosed sandy bays and has stream drainage that is not concentrated into a single coastal area. Although there are Ulva species found on the Island, it is in normal, expected amounts."
Environmental Health did say if you are concerned you have seen a potentially harmful substance or pollution, to contact its office by calling 711161.
Pictured top: A file image of Green tides.
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