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Reduction of Algal Blooms in Samnak and Hwamyeong Waterfront Leisure Towns… Algal Bloom Alert Lifted

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced today (October 2) that it has lifted the “Attention” level algal bloom alert for the Hwamyeong and Samnak Waterfront Leisure Towns along the Nakdong River waterfront area.

This comes 35 days after the first “Attention” level alert was issued on August 28.

According to harmful cyanobacteria cell count measurements taken on September 22 and September 29, levels at the Samnak Waterfront Leisure Town point were recorded at 4,271 cells per milliliter (ml) and 17,973 cells per ml, respectively, while at the Hwamyeong Waterfront Leisure Town point they were recorded at 3,256 cells per ml and 18,970 cells per ml, respectively. Based on these results, the City lifted the algal bloom alert.

The City explained that the decrease in harmful cyanobacteria cells was the result of falling water temperatures due to the recent decline in air temperature. At the Hwamyeong Waterfront Leisure Town point, the water temperature dropped from 31.3°C on September 8 to 28.8°C on September 15, and further to 25.8°C on September 22.

Meanwhile, in the waterfront algal bloom alert system, the “Attention” level is issued when harmful cyanobacteria cell counts exceed 20,000 cells per ml in two consecutive measurements; the “Warning” level is issued when counts exceed 100,000 cells per ml; and alerts are lifted when counts fall below 20,000 cells per ml.

With this lifting of the “Attention” alert, waterfront activities such as water leisure sports and fishing/consumption of shellfish have become permissible at Samnak and Hwamyeong Waterfront Leisure Towns.

Lee Byeong-seok, Director General of the Environmental Water Policy Office, stated, “Frequent rainfall and lower water temperatures have significantly reduced algal blooms, leading to the lifting of the algal bloom alert in the waterfront area. We will continue with regular monitoring to ensure that citizens can safely and healthily enjoy waterfront activities without concern over algal blooms.”