Warning about blue-green algae on the Dümmer: parents beware!

Warning about blue-green algae on the Dümmer: parents beware!

In the last few weeks there have been alarms at Lake Dümmer. The number of the dreaded blue-green algae has increased massively, leading to warning notices at bathing areas. The county health department regularly monitors water quality and has found a worrying increase in blue-green algae levels weser-kurier.de reported. These cyanobacteria can produce toxic toxins that are dangerous to both humans and animals.

This particularly affects families with children who want to swim in the lakes. The health department strongly advises that you pay attention to the warnings, as swallowing large amounts of blue-green algae can cause health problems such as nausea, diarrhea and dizziness. When there is onshore wind, the algae concentration in the water can increase quickly, which further exacerbates the danger.

Algae and its dangers

Blue-green algae are not just algae, but bacteria that thrive particularly well under certain conditions, such as warmth and abundance of nutrients. A typical sign is greenish or blue-green cloudiness in the water and algae-like appearances. Industry experts from ndr.de point out that only a laboratory can distinguish dangerous blue-green algae from harmless green algae. If you are unsure, you should be able to see your feet in knee-deep water - if this is not the case, we strongly advise against taking a bath.

Symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning should not be underestimated: In addition to nausea and diarrhea, skin and respiratory diseases can also occur. Sensitive people in particular, such as children or people with previous illnesses, should inform themselves well before swimming in Dümmer See, as contact with these bacteria can be dangerous at high concentrations.

The situation at Dümmer See

Monitoring of water quality will continue in the future. If there is an increased amount of algae, a daily assessment is carried out on site. Rising temperatures and persistent drought are known to promote the formation of blue-green algae, while nutrient input, often caused by agriculture and sewage treatment plants, further exacerbates the situation. Deutschlandfunk reports that increased temperatures in waters above 20 degrees can trigger massive algae blooms.

In this sense, bathers should rely on monitoring by the health authorities as well as their own observations. Dead fish on the surface of the water is a clear warning sign that should not be ignored. Health comes first, and this also applies to the popular Dümmer Lake.