Seawater, beaches okay despite red tides and runoffs

The quality of water along coastal areas is generally good, states the Bulletin of Marine Environmental Status of Zhuhai for the Year of 2016 recently released by the Marine, Agriculture & Water Bureau.

Susceptible to land-based pollutants which are primarily inorganic nitrogen and labile phosphate, water in some estuaries and offshore areas is of poor quality. The sediment, however, is generally in good condition. About 77 percent of discharges at five monitored drain outlets were up to standard in 2016, a significant increase from 2015.

Last year, Zhuhai was hit by two red tides and three marine environmental thunderbolts, all causing no direct economic losses. One of the red tides was Akashiwo sanguinea covering around 70 sq km near Guishan, Dong'ao, and Gaolan islands. The other red tide of the same kind covered 0.01 sq km around Dong’ao Bay. Both incurred neither loss to fisheries nor harm to humans or livestock.

Haibin Beach [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

Water quality in Zhuhai's coastal swimming area has attracted a lot of attention with the advent of summer. The water quality of swimming areas at Feisha and Dong'ao Island beaches were reported to be premium while those at Haibin and Golden beaches were in good condition from April 24 to Oct 31 last year.