Busan is good

Algal Bloom Alert Upgraded to “Caution” at Samnak and Hwamyeong Water Leisure Towns in the Riparian Zone… Water Activities Temporarily Prohibited

내용

Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that, effective today (September 4) at 3:00 p.m., it has upgraded the algal bloom alert from the “Attention” level to the “Caution” level at Samnak and Hwamyeong Water Leisure Towns, where the city is piloting the algal bloom alert system. (Issued by: Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City)

The results of harmful cyanobacteria cell counts measured on August 25 and September 1 showed 206,660 and 225,636 cells per milliliter (mL), respectively, at the Samnak Water Leisure Town site, and 176,936 and 121,836 cells/mL, respectively, at the Hwamyeong Water Leisure Town site. Both exceeded the “Caution” alert threshold of 100,000 cells/mL for two consecutive counts. This increase is attributed to sustained environmental conditions favorable for algal growth, such as high water temperature caused by a heat wave and strong sunlight.

Standards for issuing algal bloom alerts: Alerts are issued when harmful cyanobacteria cell counts exceed the threshold.

Riparian zone (unit: cells/mL)

Alert Standard	Attention	Caution	Release	Note
Harmful cyanobacteria cell count (exceeding threshold twice consecutively)	20,000+	100,000+	Below 20,000	Existing
Harmful cyanobacteria cell count (exceeding threshold once)	–	500,000+	–	Enhanced

※ Standards for water supply zones (exceeding threshold twice consecutively): “Attention” 1,000+ cells/mL, “Caution” 10,000+ cells/mL, “Outbreak” 1,000,000+ cells/mL

In accordance with the issuance of the “Caution” level algal bloom alert, the city will immediately implement measures prohibiting ▲water leisure activities ▲fishing and harvesting of shellfish for consumption at Samnak and Hwamyeong Ecological Parks.

The city plans to post banners and make public announcements informing the public of the ban, while also conducting promotional and on-site guidance activities through patrols. In particular, as the late summer heat in September may prevent a reduction in harmful cyanobacteria cell counts, these prohibitions are expected to continue for the time being. Water activities will only resume once a confirmed decline in cell counts is observed.

Lee Byung-seok, Director General of the Environmental Water Policy Office, stated, “We ask citizens to actively cooperate in refraining from water activities and fishing or consuming shellfish around Samnak and Hwamyeong Water Leisure Towns until the algal bloom alert is lifted, for the sake of health and safety,” and added, “We will monitor the trend of harmful cyanobacteria cell counts and allow the resumption of water activities once a decline is confirmed.”