The presence of potentially toxic blue-green algae has been confirmed in Clickimin Loch, Lerwick.
Shetland Islands Council’s Environmental Health team has received confirmation from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) that algae found in the loch is blue-green algae.
Adjoining landowners and land users have been advised of the situation, as have NHS Shetland, Shetland Recreational Trust, Anderson High School and Shetland Angling Association. Warning signs have been erected around Clickimin Loch.
For further information, please contact the Council’s Environmental Health Service on 01595 745250.
Notes
- Blue-green algae exist in fresh waters and are noticed when their concentrations increase to form "blooms" or scums - looking like blue-green paint - or when they collect on the shore line.
- Some blue-green algae may give rise to adverse medical effects - but not always. Effects on people coming into contact with toxic scums include skin rashes, eye irritations, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever and pains in muscles and joints. Toxic algae have caused deaths of livestock and dogs.
- The treatment of water supplies removes blue-green algae and additional treatment may be applied to destroy or remove toxins should they arise. The actions currently taken are precautionary.
- The behaviour of algae is erratic. The level of its toxicity can fluctuate; it can appear one day, be dispersed by the wind and mixing and re-accumulate at any time.