Extreme plankton bloom creates marine 'dead zone' off eastern Thailand

20/9/2023 12:25

        An unusually dense plankton bloom off the eastern coast of Thailand is creating an aquatic "dead zone", threatening the livelihood of local fishermen who farm mussels in the waters.
        
        Marine scientists say some areas in the Gulf of Thailand have more than 10 times the normal amount of plankton, turning the water a bright green and killing off marine life.
        
        Experts say, plankton blooms happen one or two times a year and typically last two to three days. They can produce toxins that harm the environment, or they can kill off marine life by depleting the oxygen in the water and blocking sunlight.
        
        Thee president of the Chonburi Fisheries Association said, Chonburi's coasts are famous for their mussel farms, and more than 80% of the almost 300 plots in the area has been affected.