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Looks nice - but please don't touch it

2023-01-12T06:08:57.806Z


Bacteria are probably at work: A pond in the municipality of Sibbesse is currently showing an unusual colour. Experts advise it is better not to touch the water.


Enlarge image

Purple-colored pond in the Hildesheim forest: indication of the poor condition of the water body

Photo: Julian Stratenschulte / dpa

A pond near Hildesheim is currently causing a stir because of its colour.

The body of water in the municipality of Sibbesse is purple, as can be seen in pictures.

Bacteria are apparently the reason for the discoloration, according to the Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal Protection and Nature Conservation (NLWKN).

Water discoloration could have very different reasons, said Hans-Heinrich Schuster from the lakes competence center of the NLWKN in Sulingen (Diepholz district).

"Such typical discolorations often have the background that microorganisms are active there - and here they are very likely purple bacteria".

Indication of bad condition of water bodies

These bacteria are often found in water bodies that are in an unfavorable condition.

This is because hydrogen sulfide is produced there via fermentation processes, which the bacteria can use together with light to carry out photosynthesis.

Natural pigments, so-called carotenoids, ensure the bright color of the bacteria and support them in photosynthesis in inhospitable environments.

Small bodies of water are often affected by these bacteria.

However, they could also occur in very deep lakes, where there is hardly any oxygen in the deeper layers, explained Schuster.

The expert advises against entering the waters.

However, the bacteria are not blue-green algae, which can sometimes have a reddish color.

These are even more toxic.

The lake competence center of the NLWKN monitors larger lakes in Lower Saxony.

For smaller bodies of water, such as the pond in Sibbesse, it is only responsible in an advisory capacity.

lmd/dpa

Source: spiegel

All life articles on 2023-01-12

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