Red Water in Magalevsky Lagoon: Algal Bloom Phenomenon

In the Magalevsky Lagoon, part of the national park «Tuzly Lagoons», the water has taken on an unusual red hue due to a significant bloom of algae.

This was reported by park ecologist Ivan Rusev.

He explained that following the natural closure of the channel, which connects to the lagoon, intense evaporation has led to the formation of salt on its surface.

Recently, the aquatic ecosystem of the lagoon has gradually shifted to a reddish color, with the peak of these hues expected by mid-September, giving the landscape an otherworldly appearance. This coloration serves as an indicator of a mass bloom of the microalgae Dunaliella Salina under conditions of high temperature and salinity, – Rusev noted.

He further added that the Magalevsky Lagoon is the sixth of 13 shallow lagoons that are actively drying up, leading to salt formation. Despite this trend, the expanses of the other seven lagoons remain vast, providing sustenance for birds and aquatic organisms.