Mysterious Pink Slime On Tasmanian Beach Sparks Algal Bloom Concerns

Residents are warned to exercise caution, as some have reported skin irritation after exposure to the contaminated seawater.

A mysterious pink slime was recently washed up on a remote beach in Tasmania, Australia. Authorities were stunned as it sparked fears of a potentially devastating algal bloom, The Guardian reported. The slime was first spotted on Randalls Bay, which is about 60 kilometres south of Hobart. Similar sightings were also reported at Little Roaring Beach and Little Taylors Bay.

The authorities took samples of the pink slime and provided it to Tasmania's Environment Protection Authority for analysis. As quoted in the report, a spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania said, "algal blooms are a natural occurrence in response to changes in nutrients, temperature, rainfall or light". However, the report didn't mention when results might be expected.

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Marine scientists suspect the slime could be linked to Noctiluca scintillans, a bioluminescent phytoplankton known as 'sea sparkle'. While it's less toxic than other species, it can still pose a threat to local fisheries by preying on small invertebrates and fish eggs.

"They are sometimes called red or pink tides because the blooms can turn the water red," the spokesperson said, according to the report. "Not all algal blooms are harmful, with many species acting as a major source of energy for animals in the marine food web. The most common cause of red tides in Tasmanian waters is the marine phytoplankton Noctiluca scintillans, which can cause bioluminescent light displays at night."

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As quoted, Faith Coleman, who is an estuarine ecologist, said that the most likely species involved Tasmanian outbreak appears to be Noctiluca scintillans. "There have been lots of these blooms around Tassie of late," she added.

Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff emphasises caution, stating there's no evidence linking the bloom to salmon farming yet. "We need to ensure our waterways are environmentally safe and sustainable," he said as per the report. "The 1,200 beaches across Tasmania are our assets, and we need to ensure the community and our industry can coexist to utilise our waterways effectively and sustainably."

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Tasmania, Tasmania Beach, Australia