Watch the video: Foul-smelling plankton blooms cause “death zone” in the Gulf of Thailand.
White dream beaches and turquoise blue sea are usually two of the attributes with which Thailand can score points for tourism. However, on the coast of Chon Buri province in the east of the country, the picture is currently completely different. A green carpet lies on the sea, which upon closer inspection turns out to be a foul-smelling layer of dead marine life. A sign that a so-called “plankton bloom” is underway. Original sound Tanuspong Pokavanich, marine biologist Kasetsart University “This is the first one I’ve seen in my life. It’s very strong this year. At the other station we measured a chlorophyll value of over 500. Normally it’s between 50 and 100. 120 if it comes up.” Marine animals such as fish and whales feed on plankton, but in large quantities it can also be dangerous. Its own decomposition process leads to low oxygen levels in the water and kills fish, shellfish and other creatures. A quarter of the Upper Gulf of Thailand is affected, the scientists said. Half of it is currently green, the other half near the coast is brown, due to pollution and dead plankton. The bloom also threatens hundreds of mussel farming facilities. The exact causes of the strong growth are not yet clear. Scientists are investigating possible connections with climate change and weather phenomena such as El Niño.