Thailand's Sea Turns Toxic Green: Plankton Bloom Disrupts Tourism

Heavy rains and flooding have recently led to a significant plankton bloom off Thailand's tourist island of Ko Lan, transforming stretches of the sea into a vibrant green. This phenomenon, identified as Noctiluca plankton, is a recurring natural event that researchers note has intensified globally due to warming seas attributed to climate change, alongside nutrient runoff from fertilizers and wastewater.

While blooms typically last only a few days, their aftermath can be severe. The decomposition of mass plankton consumes oxygen, potentially creating hypoxic 'dead zones' where marine life cannot survive. Experts are concerned about an increasing severity of these hypoxic conditions in the Gulf of Thailand. This year's monsoons and El Niño may be exacerbating both the bloom and oxygen depletion, as warmer waters hold less dissolved oxygen, though further research is needed to confirm this link. The unusual green waters have already begun affecting local businesses, with some tourists opting to avoid the affected areas or refrain from swimming due to concerns about skin irritation.