The greenish color in Ipanema does not pose a risk to bathers.
According to the State Environmental Institute (Inea), the green stain seen this morning in Ipanema may have been caused by fragments of the macroalga Ulva sp, a very common species that does not pose a health risk to bathers; these algae are normally brought from the rocky shore by the sea and end up being carried to the coast by tidal variations.
Douglas Correa
Reporter for Agência Brasil
Rio de Janeiro - Many people who went to the beach today (15) in Ipanema, a neighborhood in the southern part of Rio, were concerned about the color of the water. The city had another day of strong sun and temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius (ºC), according to the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet).
According to the State Environmental Institute (Inea), the green stain seen this morning in Ipanema may have been caused by fragments of the macroalga Ulva sp, a very common species that does not pose a health risk to bathers. These algae are normally brought from the rocky shore by the sea and end up being carried to the coast by tidal variations.
Inea technicians toured the Leblon to Arpoador coastline in the morning and afternoon, but found only a few fragments of the algae on Praia do Diabo, in Arpoador, which were collected and identified for analysis. Inspections will also be carried out tomorrow (16) and on Friday (17).
Earlier this month, a yellowish foam covered the entire coastline of Rio, from Barra da Tijuca to the beaches of the southern zone. INEA (the Rio de Janeiro State Environmental Institute) reported at the time that the foam is a natural phenomenon caused by the decomposition of algae.
"Algal blooms are common in the summer and result from factors such as high temperature and sunshine, combined with calm seas and nutrients in the water. When the algae decompose, depending on oceanographic and weather conditions, foam formation may occur," reported Inea.