Environmental Concerns Are Raised By The Pink Tide At Gadani Jetty.

After the Balochistan coast unexpectedly turned pink from blue, the Gadani Jetty pink tide has raised serious concerns among marine experts, environmentalists, and local communities, according to.

In addition to the color turning pink, there were reports of dead fish and an unpleasant smell. Under the direction of President Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed (Retd), marine specialists from the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) carried out an on-site examination.

They discovered that blooms of salt-loving organisms, such as “bacteria and algae, flourished in calm, hot water, causing the phenomenon, commonly referred to as a pink tide.”

Greater Amount Of Values Found

Many disturbances in the ecosystem were revealed by laboratory investigation. The observed water temperature was “36.5°C”, which is thought to be higher than the typical coastal average.

Furthermore, the salt concentration was reported to be “48 PPT”, which is greater than the “35 PPT” standard value. At “47 NTU”, turbidity was detected, which is higher than the typical range of “1–5 NTU”.

With ammonium levels of “2.256 mg/L and phosphate levels of 5.739 mg/L”, the examination also revealed an overabundance of nutrients. The pH reading of “6.94” indicated a mild acidity. In addition, conductivity levels were noticeably high at “96,032 µS/cm³”, and the total dissolved solids (TDS) were “47,886 mg/L”.

These issues were linked to the jetty’s flawed construction, which disrupted the water’s normal flow and produced brackish water that was ideal for microbial blooms. After comparable incidents near Karachi in 2017 and Makran in 2021, the pink tide at Gadani Jetty is said to be Pakistan’s third such episode.

Install Safety Measures

Because of potential health hazards such skin irritation and exposure to toxins, NIMA has issued a warning not to come into close contact with the water or eat seafood from the impacted area.

The Balochistan Environmental Protection Agency (BEPA) has been urged by NIMA to promptly install safety measures and modify the jetty to improve water flow. The NIMA president emphasized that safeguarding marine life and coastal communities had to be the nation’s top priority.

A clear reminder of the effects of inadequate infrastructure and environmental negligence is provided by the pink tide at Gadani Jetty. Experts fear that if immediate action is not taken, the jetty may end up serving as a warning about ecological catastrophe