NASA captured the green vortex in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea using the Landsat 8 satellite, which took a natural color image in 2018. The 25-kilometer-wide phenomenon consisted of cyanobacteria that were trapped as a result of the collision of two opposing currents.
Is the Baltic Sea being attacked by cyanobacteria? NASA observed the vortex
Cyanobacteria blooms occur in this region every summer, though they do not always form such a spectacular vortex. However, as noted by the portal Live Science, in recent years, the phenomenon has increased in size and frequency. The cause of this is the influx of nitrogen, phosphorus, and nutrients into the water, which originate from human activities such as agriculture, the use of fossil fuels, and waste disposal.
Cyanobacteria pose a serious threat to the ecosystem. They are a result of climate change
According to the Wood Hole Oceanographic Institute, the accumulation of algae near the surface deprives other organisms of nutrients and oxygen, which can cause them to suffocate. Scientists therefore refer to these oxygen-poor areas as "dead zones".
Additionally, they tend to expand, which, combined with rising sea temperatures that lead to dangerous drops in oxygen levels, can have serious environmental consequences. These effects of climate change hinder the development of fish and other marine organisms that play a vital role in the ecosystem.
