Shetland Islands Council’s Environmental Health team has received notification that potentially toxic blue-green algae is present in the Loch of Cliff, Burrafirth, Unst.
Notices will be posted next to the loch warning that contact with algal scum should be avoided. Adjoining landowners and NHS Shetland have been advised. At this stage there is no adverse effect on water supplies.
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) exist in fresh waters in Great Britain and throughout the world, often noticed when their concentrations increase to form blooms or scums - looking like blue-green paint, or when they collect on the shoreline. 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.
For further information please contact Environmental Health on 01595 745250 or ehadmin@shetland.gov.uk