PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: Plankton blooms were sighted at Ao Prachuap bay and Hat Nawakorn national park in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Saturday, with some small sea animals found dead.
At Ao Prachuap, a plankton bloom was spotted on a beach near the Sararnwithee bridge in Muang district for a distance of more than two kilometres.
The growth of plankton in the sea is often fed by whale excrement. The natural phenomenon has turned the sea a greenish shade and gives off a bad smell. Some sea animals such as crabs and jellyfish have been found dead, but only in small numbers.
Local residents said they were not concerned since they are aware it was a natural phenomenon.
A beach at Hat Wanakorn national park in Thap Sakae district also experienced a plankton bloom. Seawater along the coast turned dark green for a distance of about 4km.
Wattana Pornprasert, director of the national park’s Protected Area regional office 3 in Phetchaburi, said the plankton bloom phenomenon would vanish in 2-3 days. It was formed after a massive amount of freshwater flowed into the sea, causing algae to grow rapidly. The situation would return to normal soon, he said.
He told people not to swim or touch water in the areas as it may cause skin irritation or itching.