Authorities say the change in water colour is the result of algae blooms, according to Global News. John Parker-Jervis, a spokesman for the Port Authority, told the Vancouver Sun that there have been no reports of an oil spill or any other unfortunate event that might have discoloured the water.
A rare red tide in English Bay #Vancouver#airpatrolpic.twitter.com/m3fC4Js7bd
- Chad Dey (@chad_dey) July 8, 2014
Red tide continues to plague the Vancouver Harbour #Vancouver#airpatrolpic.twitter.com/ifd4rYOatOKnown as "red tides", these blooms can sometimes be dangerous for wildlife due to the toxins produced by some species of algae.
- Chad Dey (@chad_dey) July 11, 2014
Blooms can be caused by human activity, such as the dumping of fertilizer, but such events are more common in fresh water (see the scary photos from the Great Lakes below). Blooms can also be the result of nothing more than a combination of tide and temperature that is favourable to the algae.
The blooms in Vancouver are not expected to last more than a few days
Comment:
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