Red Embers Bathing prohibition on Hollands coast everywhere

Health hazard due to "red embers": Bathing prohibition on Hollands coast
Holland's coast was invaded by marine lizards. On three beaches was then pronounced a bathing ban. The glowing swarms - called "red embers" - are not toxic, but could cause irritation of the skin and the respiratory tract and thus represent a slight health hazard.

Menacingly shining swarms
At three beaches on the Dutch coast, bathing was temporarily prohibited after an invasion of marine lighters, the news agency dpa reports. However, the threateningly glowing swarms of microorganisms - referred to by the media as "Rode Gloed" - quickly returned. Lifeguards then retrieved their red warning flags in Scheveningen, Wassenaar and Katwijk (South Holland). The natural spectacle was also pursued by numerous German tourists. The tiny sea lizards (Noctiluca scintillans) had surfaced on Sunday off the coasts on the North Sea beaches, which are also popular with Germans, not far from The Hague.

Irritation of the skin and respiratory tract
A spokesman for Rijkswaterstaat, the Department of the Environment, said the reddish glowing microorganisms, while not toxic, could cause skin and respiratory irritation. "It seems to us better if people do not go into the water." According to the information, most bathers to the warning, which was also with signs "Zee gevaarlijk" (danger in the sea) was announced. Some dared but into the water. A Dutch vacationer told reporters: "Swimming was wonderful."

Microorganisms emerge in the warm months
Later, a spokesman for the Dutch Institute for Marine Research (NIOZ) said the bathing ban had perhaps been too strong a reaction to the appearance of marine lizards. They are single-celled organisms that feed on plankton and have the ability to produce light. During the warmer months, they frequently appear in large swarms both on the Dutch and the German North Sea coast. Mostly they disappear after a short time.

Chemicals threaten waters
In Germany bathing prohibitions had already been issued in the past. For example, a few years ago in Hanover for the beach Maschsee. At that time, bacterial contamination was evidently caused by excrements of geese. Authorities had pointed out that the germs can lead to severe gastrointestinal disorders and cause discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. However, in most countries, chemicals and non-animal excretions are responsible for the pollution of rivers and lakes. Only a few months ago, scientists announced that pesticides endanger many waters. Accordingly, the concentration of plant protection products in German waters is often higher than permitted by the competent authorities. (ad): Maria Antónia Sampayo, Instituto de Oceanografia, faculty Cièncias da Universidade de Lisboa