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Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK and the island of Ireland, is being poisoned by toxic blue-green algae on an apocalyptic scale.
The algae is killing fish, birds and dogs, and there are serious concerns about public health because the lough provides 40 percent of Northern Ireland’s drinking water, according to UK’s Sky News.
The deadly cyanobacteria is mainly caused by excess nitrates and phosphates from farming discharge and sewage, and the stench is pungent and nauseating.
A sign next to Lough Neagh reads, “Stop the spread of zebra mussels and aquatic weeds.” The weed-choked freshwater lake is said to provide 40 percent of Northern Ireland’s drinking water. /CCTV
A sign next to Lough Neagh reads, “Stop the spread of zebra mussels and aquatic weeds.” The weed-choked freshwater lake is said to provide 40 percent of Northern Ireland’s drinking water. /CCTV
Invasive zebra mussels are making things worse
With water temperatures rising, climate change is a factor, and invasive zebra mussels aren’t helping. They filter the water so that the sunlight penetrates deeper, allowing the algae to do photosynthesis.
There needs to be immediate action to tackle the serious issues at Lough Neagh.
“Long-term aspects, you can have things like liver damage, neurological damage, so it is not stuff to be played about with,” Mary O’Hagan told Sky News, who’s leading the call for an action plan.
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