Algae turns water red at Ocean Village in Southampton

On Sunday afternoon the water at the Ocean Village Marina turned a deep shade of red and brown.

It was a mystery to locals and tourists alike as to why it happened, however, the sudden change in colour can now be attributed to “red tide”

Also known as algal blooms this is when aquatic plant life becomes so numerous they cause the colour of coastal waters to change.

Last weekends’ heat wave broke records for June across the county, and it is thought that the high temperatures triggered the increase in algae

However, by Monday morning as the scorching temperatures eased the water at the marina returned to its usual colour.

A shock to many the red tide has now been reported to the Environment Agency who work to create better places for people and wildlife and support sustainable development.

An agency spokesperson said: “Blooms of toxic algae are rare in English coastal waters and some non-toxic blooms can be mistaken for sewage pollution. One of the most common bloom-forming algae forms a brown, frothy scum which is often blown onto the shore where it breaks down into an unpleasant brown slime that smells like sewage. This soon breaks down and disappears.

You can’t tell if an algal bloom is toxic just by looking at it, so it’s safest to assume it is.

We advise to keep pets and children away from the water and avoid skin contact with the water or algae.”

Ocean Village Marina manager, Scott Farquharson said:

“Red Tide or Bloom is a natural phenomenon which occurs in very hot weather when microscopic algae multiply rapidly. Ocean Village Marina experiences this natural occurrence from time to time. The red colour dissipates within days, as soon as the temperature starts to drop. Visitors will see that this is already happening.”