Experts say the white sands of Hyams Beach, Australia, inundated with “worm-infested” red algae, may be the result of catastrophic storms that have hit the country.
Since the end of February, floods and torrential rain have hit Australia’s east coast, killing at least 21 people and destroying thousands of homes, with experts blaming storms for environmental changes at Hyams Beach.
Pictures on social media show red algae completely covering the sandy beaches of Jervis Bay, which local Jaydee Clark said she was “absolutely shocked” when she and her husband walked to the beach and then found out. The sand covered the sand.
Dr Trudy Costa, from the University of Wollongong’s School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, said recent weather and storms could be responsible for the situation, which may have caused seaweed to shed on the beach. Then he added that there could indeed be worms in it, as many microorganisms live in algae, and then are killed when the water floods them, independent.
This phenomenon is also referred to as “red tide” when the area is covered with a diffuse and unpleasant smell due to the destruction of living organisms, so those who walk in the area may suffer from respiratory problems such as asthmatic cough, difficulty breathing and dehydration. Cough.. watery eyes.
