No need to panic, say experts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is no reason to panic, say experts who looked into widespread complaints about foul smell emnating from the coastal areas of Kollam district. The only cause for the smell seems to be the decay of algae which may have bloomed a few days ago. The investigation was carried out by the experts in aquatic biology from the University of Kerala on a request from the Kollam District Collector and the Fisheries Department. The team examined the colour of the sea, salinity, temperature, pH, nutrients, plankton and microbes and fish death.  ‘’The rainwater run-off which goes into the sea can cause salinity changes, resulting in the massive death and decay of algae in the sea. This seems to be the only possible cause for the foul smell,’’ said A  Bijukumar, Head of the KU Department of Aquatic Biology, who along with K Padmakumar investigated the matter. ‘’However, the colour change in the sea that usually appears in Kerala coast after monsoon due to the blooming of algae was also not effervescent in the area from where we collected the sample. The salinity recorded was 32 ppt, denying any chances of high freshwater inflow resulting in mass mortality of algae. The temperature and pH of water was also found normal. ,’’ said Bijukumar in the report submitted to the Kollam District Collector. Stench in T’Puram tooAs in Kollam district, Thiruvananthapuram too experienced the foul smell from the sea on Thursday. It was around 5.30 p.m when the stench suddenly erupted and spread to different parts of the city and even its outskirts, which raised the anxiety of the people.People complained of experiencing strong stench at Vellayani, Thampanoor, Fort, Veli and ChirayinkeezhU. The stench lasted for over an hour.