The sea water in a region of Penang, Malaysia turned a light pink color on August 27.
The Deputy Director of the Marine and Coastal Research Center in Malaysia, Annette Jaya Ram, discovered the pink sea water in Teluk Bahang, Penang at 11 AM on August 27.
Pink sea water in Penang, Malaysia. (Photo: THE STAR).
Earlier in April, The Star reported on the phenomenon of pink sea water in Penang. Scientists believe that Noctiluca scintillans algae is the cause of this phenomenon.
Noctiluca scintillans is not toxic but contains ammonia, which causes fish to avoid the area. This type of algae does not pose a threat to marine life.
Ms. Annette stated that the phenomenon on August 27 was also caused by this type of algae. She shared: “We conducted initial tests and this special organism has a relatively high ammonia content. Fish do not like this and will try to stay away.”
Ms. Annette believes that this phenomenon will not last long and typically disappears within a day or two.
Annette Jaya Ram explained: “This phenomenon depends on the weather and there has been recent rainfall. The rain has now stopped and the algae have appeared. Nutrients enter the sea from the rains. Algae or plankton thrive on this, which is why you are witnessing this situation.”
This pink sea water is not harmful to humans, and seafood harvested around Penang remains safe for consumption.
The phenomenon often occurs during prolonged hot weather, followed by sudden heavy rainfall that introduces a large amount of nutrients into the sea.
