Red River infected with toxic algae?

Red alluvial red river water suddenly suddenly flows through Hanoi to turn green. This sudden discoloration is warned by some experts that there is a risk of toxic algae.

On April 12, on the Red River, crossing Khuyen Luong bridge, Long Bien bridge and Thanh Tri area (Hanoi), the country turns green.

The stagnant water sections (at the foot of Long Bien bridge), are green like the waters of Hoan Kiem Lake. In areas where there is flow, the water color is greener.

Dao Trong Tu, Ph.D., a member of the Standing Committee for Vietnam, former Vice Chairman of the Me Kong River Committee, said: Red River water turns green as an unusual phenomenon. Need to analyze to see the components in the country.

Red river water flowing through Hanoi has turned green.Photo: Duc Long

However, this sudden discoloration may be directed at the cause of slow flow, non-circulating water, resulting in algae growth. It could also be due to polluted water from living and industrial activities.

'Many reasons relate to this story, but it is necessary to check the water of Hoa Binh Lake to see how the water is discharging here, to ensure the minimum flow for the Red River.' , Dr. Tu said.

Professor, Dr. Duong Duc Tien, a leading algae expert from Vietnam, said that when the water is green, water appears algae.

Often rivers have strong currents that rarely produce algae, if any, only on the two coasts. If the river is green or blue, it is caused by cyanobacteria, green algae grow.

At that time, river water is being nourished with nutrients, that is, the content of salt, protein, phosphorus increases. 'Normally algae are still in the water, when conditions permit it will multiply, causing the water to turn blue,' said Professor Tien.

Explaining the cause of the situation of the Red River water changing color, in addition to polluted water, shallow flow makes weak solubility, Professor Tien said that it could be due to toxic algae from the dam area of ​​the lake. Hoa Binh hydropower plant: 'The section of Da river that flows into Hoa Binh dam has many toxic algae. When the dam is closed, these algae are stagnant and denser. Therefore, when opening the dam, it does not exclude the possibility that these algae have the opportunity to rush into the Red River '.