Press release 2021-08-05 at 15:21
Based on the overall picture taken by the Sentinel-3 satellite on August 4, 2021, the cyanobacterial raft in the Bothnian Sea has decreased in size compared to its previous extent, but under calm conditions parts of it may still have surfaced. At the mouth of the Gulf of Finland, cyanobacteria continue to bloom, but no actual surface blooms have been observed in the areas around Finland. A close-up of the Gulf of Finland, by the Landsat-8 satellite of the US Geological Survey. © SYKE material, contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2021) and USGS Landsat program data (2021)
The number of cyanobacterial observations has started to decline in inland waters and on the coasts of the Baltic Sea. The situation in inland waters is calmer than usual. Usually, August is the month when cyanobacteria is most abundant. In the open sea areas, conditions have calmed down after a windy weekend. In the past week, the mass centres of the cyanobacterial occurrences in the Bothnian Sea and at the mouth of the Gulf of Finland have moved away from Finland.
Wind-induced upwelling was observed on Monday and Tuesday in almost all coastal areas of Finland. The zones where upwelling occurs are visible as areas along the coasts that are cooler than the open sea areas. © SYKE material, contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2021)
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SYKE observes the cyanobacteria occurrence as part of the monitoring of the state of the environment
The national cyanobacterial monitoring is based on the monitoring of cyanobacterial deposits in surface water, and the intention is to provide an overview of the cyanobacterial situation in different water bodies. Observations are carried out as part of the monitoring of the state of the environment in cooperation with the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, municipal environmental and health authorities and the Finnish Environment Institute. Finnish Rotary Clubs are also actively involved in nationwide cyanobacterial monitoring.
This summer, cyanobacterial monitoring includes about 400 permanent observation sites across the country on inland and coastal waters and in the archipelago. Information on the cyanobacterial situation in the open seas is mainly obtained from satellite images, but also from the Finnish Border Guard, the marine research vessel Aranda, the optical device located at the Utö Atmospheric and Marine Research Station as well as cruise and merchant ships (MS Finnmaid and MS Silja Serenade) equipped with Alg@line measuring equipment. The drift forecasts for cyanobacterial rafts in open sea areas are prepared in cooperation with the Finnish Meteorological Institute's Maritime Services.
The Finnish Environment Institute usually reports on the national cyanobacterial situation on a weekly basis every Thursday from the beginning of June until the end of August. The weekly algal reporting on the national cyanobacterial monitoring was launched in 1998.
Several compounds produced by cyanobacteria can cause health hazards
According to the guidelines of the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), water rich in cyanobacteria should always be treated in such a way that it may be harmful to health. Cyanobacteria produce a number of different compounds that can cause symptoms. Some cyanobacteria can produce liver or nerve toxins, but most of the symptoms experienced by swimmers may also be due to other compounds.
Especially small children and pets should be kept out of water rich with cyanobacteria. Water with cyanobacteria should not be used in the sauna or as washing or irrigation water. If poisoning is suspected, seek medical advice or take your pet to a veterinarian. If necessary, the Poison Information Centre will provide additional instructions.
The municipal health authorities monitor the cyanobacterial situation on the beaches.
Report your cyanobacterial observations to the Järvi-meriwiki (Lake and sea wiki)
In the Järvi-meriwiki maintained by the Finnish Environment Institute, everyone has the opportunity to establish their own observation site and share cyanobacterial observations from lakes and coastal areas. Individual observations can also be sent, for example, from beachs or during boat trips. The observations can be submitted via the Havaintolähetti website and they displayed on the national cyanobacterial situation map supporting the national assessments of the cyanobacterial situation. Observations about the absence of cyanobacteria are also important.
Municipalities and cities monitor the cyanobacterial situation on the beaches, so it is advisable to report rich cyanobacterial occurences on beaches also to the health authorities of the municipality in question.
Cyanobacterial observations also in the Itämeri.fi and vesi.fi services
Last summer, for the first time, websites on the cyanobacterial observations on the Itämeri.fi service and the Vesi.fi service were also launched. The cyanobacterial map presented on this algal bloom observations page combines the observations reported to the Järvi-meriwiki and from the beaches of the City of Helsinki as well as the observations based on satellite interpretations of the Finnish Environment Institute during the last three days.
This is how you identify cyanobacteria
A small amount of cyanobacteria in the water appears as green or yellowish particles. Narrow stripes of algae can drift to a beach. In calm weather, a substantial amount of cyanobacteria forms greenish or yellowish algal rafts and piles up in coastal water. Unlike cyanobacteria, pollen is found not only on the surface water but also, for example, on piers or yard furniture.
If the algae dissolve into tiny particles in the water when you touch it with a stick, it may be cyanobacteria. If the algae attache to the stick, it is something other than cyanobacteria. In a glass of water, cyanobacteria rise to the surface as tiny greenish particles within about an hour.
Algae bloom risk analysis
Information about algae situation
TARKKA-service
You can monitor the cyanobacterial situation via satellite observations through the TARKKA service. Observations are collected daily in the service from both sea and lake areas.
More information
(Telephone 1.00 - 3.00 pm)
Lakes
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University Intern Jere Laine, Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Tel. +358 295 252 193, firstname.lastname@syke.fi (until 10 August)
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Senior Research Scientist Kristiina Vuorio, Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Tel. +358 295 251 757, firstname.lastname@syke.fi (from 11 August)
Sea areas
Coastal cyanobacterial observations compiled by
- University Intern Lilja Nikula, Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Tel. +358 295 251 209, firstname.lastname@syke.fi
Offshore cyanobacterial observations
- eotuki@syke.fi
- Reseacher Sakari Väkevä, Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Tel. +358 295 252 088 (until 6 August)
- IT Specialist Mikko Kervinen, Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Tel. +358 0295 252 088 (from 9 August)
State of the Baltic Sea
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Special Researcher Seppo Knuuttila, Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Tel. +358 295 251 286, firstname.lastname@syke.fi (until 6 August)
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Research Professor Markku Viitasalo, Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Tel. +358 295 251 742, firstname.lastname@syke.fi (from 9 August)
Communications
- Communications Intern Venla Valtanen, Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Tel. +358 295 251 194, firstname.lastname@syke.fi (until 16 August)