Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Nov 27: The sea water is shining in blue in the night in the districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. At the same time, huge blocks of algae is washed ashore from Gangolli to Shiroor in the taluk, which has caused concern among the locals.

A process called Bioluminescence takes place in sea water due to a microscopic organism called Noctiluca Scintilland or Sea Spakle. Because of the chemical reaction that takes place is these microscopic organisms the water of sea turns blue in the night.

On the seashore, the algae that is deposited seems emitting light in the night due to the moonlight, while it turns green when sun rays touches it in the morning. Since three or four days the water of sea shore in areas of Gangolli, Kodi, Paduvari and Shiroor has turned green due to algae. Experts says that this is due to the sea pollution.

Dr Senthilvelu, dean of Mangaluru Fisheries College says, "Environment pollution, affluent water discharge into sea and global rise in temperature are the reasons for the water of sea turning blue and green and also algae getting deposited on seashores. The only way out is to prevent sea pollution."

Vishwanath, a resident of Gangolli says that the changes in the water and deposition of algae has caused concern among the fishermen. Deposition of algae in sea shore is detrimental to the growth of fish, which in turn will affect the fishermen as they depend on fishing for their livelihood.

People in large numbers are visiting areas of Surathkal and Mulki beaches in order to watch the blue waters of the sea at night. However, since last two days this process is not to be seen.