▲ Green algae blooms in the Nakdong River near Dalseong Weir in Dalseong-gun, Daegu, on the 21st.
As toxic algae rapidly spread across the Nakdong River in the Daegu region, the concentration of harmful blue-green algae cells upstream of the Gangjeong Goryeong Weir has surged nearly tenfold within a week.
With the algae alert remaining at the "Alert" level for both the Gangjeong Goryeong and Haepyeong sampling points, concerns over the spread of green algae are mounting as water temperatures approach around 30°C (86°F).
According to the Daegu Regional Environmental Office today (the 21st), the algal alerts for both the Gangjeong Goryeong point (upstream of Gangjeong Goryeong Weir) and the Haepyeong point (upstream of Chilgok Weir) stand at the "Alert" level.
As of yesterday, the cell counts of harmful blue-green algae were measured at 489,500 cells/mL at the Gangjeong Goryeong point and 36,360 cells/mL at the Haepyeong point.
Notably, the cell count at the Gangjeong Goryeong point increased about tenfold compared to 49,400 cells/mL recorded on the 13th.
Algal alerts are issued in stages: "Attention" when harmful blue-green algae cell counts exceed 1,000 cells/mL in two consecutive tests, "Alert" when they exceed 10,000 cells/mL, and "Mass Algal Bloom" when they reach 1 million cells/mL or higher.
The Daegu Regional Environmental Office attributes the proliferation to water temperatures hovering around 30°C (86°F) at both locations, creating an environment highly favorable for the growth of harmful blue-green algae.
Environmental groups have also inspected the green algae situation in the Nakdong River and held press conferences to urge immediate measures.
Environmental organizations, including the Daegu Federation for Environmental Movement, collected river water samples at Dalseong Weir this morning and held a press conference in front of Daegu City Hall to denounce the city's response.
They claimed, "The green algae issue is not just an environmental problem limited to a specific river or region, but an environmental health issue that requires examining the impacts on residents' health," adding, "Measures to protect residents during algal blooms, alongside plans for the state to support and compensate for the damages suffered by residents and farmers, must be reviewed."
They emphasized, "The state must take responsibility for investigating the pathways through which residents are exposed to algal toxins and the health impacts, and restore the river's flow by opening weir floodgates," while urging, "We demand that Daegu City no longer neglect the green algae disaster that threatens citizens' safety and health."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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