Algae bloom in the Ganga, yet again

An algal bloom has returned to Ganga in Varanasi. It has caused concern among environmental experts, Ganga activists and scientists. Prof Vijay Nath Mishra, neurologist and a Ganga activist, said, “The Ganga’s flow is very slow due to which water is nearly stagnant causing algal bloom. This bloom hinders entry of the sun’s rays in the water. If this continues for long, concentration of nitrate and phosphorus is most likely to increase in the water. This may be dangerous for aquatic animals.”

Ganga activist Rajesh said, “If the condition persists for long, it may cause fish mortality because a neurotoxin, microcystin, is produced by this alga, which is harmful to aquatic animals.”