11/11/2020 5:49 PM
Clarín.com
Zonal
Updated 11/11/2020 5:49 PM
In recent days, a mysterious greenish hue began to spread over much of the Paraná Delta, causing uncertainty among the residents of the streams and awakening inevitable doubts in the island community.
For days, in Tigre, San Fernando and Escobar they remained alert until a group of specialists deciphered the phenomenon: it is
cyanobacterial algae
that are generated by
industrial or forest pollution and
could be toxic
.
As explained by the neighbors of the
First Section of the Delta
, which until now was the one that registered the most contamination in its streams, it is not the first time that these algae have taken over the water.
“For a few years it has been quite common in the Uruguay River, unfortunately today it reached the first section.
It is going to be more and more common.
It's very sad ”, said Leo, a lifelong islander, when he saw the images of algae.
Cyanobacterial algae.
They are generated by pollution and could be toxic.
Photo: The Delta Collective
It is that as the residents of the Islands recall, a few months ago the research scientist of the Program of the Faculty of Economic, Chemical and Natural Sciences (FCEQyN) of the UNaM, Norma Meichtry, explained to the portal
El Comercio Online
that the presence of this type of algae is common in the Delta area: "As there is a fairly low flow and scarce rainfall, favorable conditions are created for this group of algae to develop in a more important way."
The scientist Meichtry also explained that the presence of these algae is visualized as "spots on the surface of the water" and warned that some "
are potentially toxic
to people, especially children
, since they release toxins into the water and, in larger quantities at 10,000 or 20,000 cells per milliliter, they put health at risk. "
The change of color in the water impacted the residents of the Islands.
Photo: The Delta Collective
Meanwhile, and after repeated alerts by the island community, the Delta Management Plan Directorate, dependent on the Municipality of Tigre, published an official statement announcing that they are working on the environmental problem.
In the same publication they prohibited the use of river water for bathing or consumption.
“Due to the presence of greenish waters in some rivers and streams of the Delta, we
ask the population not to use their water for human or animal consumption, or for personal hygiene
.
The district is working in coordination with the Province's Water Authority (ADA) to determine the origin and level of toxicity of the same ”, they published.
From the Commune they ask not to consume it for human or animal consumption, or for personal hygiene.
Photo: The Delta Collective
Despite not knowing the specific origin on this occasion, the appearance of cyanobacterial algae is usually due to the presence of fertilizers, nitrates and phosphates in the water.
The different forms of
industrial pollution
, in addition to the
forest burns
that the Delta experienced in recent months could be closely related to the massive amount of cyanobacteria that have appeared in recent days.
The islanders, far from being calm, began to share their photos and descriptions of the phenomenon on social networks while waiting for a prompt solution.
“This weekend I was in the Escobar River and there was that all along the coast.
Incredible!
I thought they were just water or algae, "wrote José when he saw the shocking images.
Sergio, for his part, described: “In the Sarmiento River, near Luján, there is a lot on the coast, I have never seen so much.
A fight, damn contamination ”.
AC