For the third year running toxic blue-green algae blooms that look like pea soup and smell like rotten eggs have covered much of Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the UK and Ireland.

For the third year running toxic blue-green algae blooms that look like pea soup and smell like rotten eggs have covered much of Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the UK and Ireland.

But this summer, the thick green veneer – so widespread it is visible from space – has been worse than ever, according to locals living near the Northern Ireland landmark.

The algae growth – fuelled by industrial, agricultural and sewage pollution, as well as climate change, according to experts – has ravaged fishing and watersports, and prompted concerns about drinking water safety.

  • VeganPizza69 ⓋEnglish
    6·
    1 month ago

    Not just climate, but shit. Shit from humans and the animal harming industry.

    Nutrient-rich fertiliser and slurry run-off from farms supplying mega-firms like chicken processor Moy Park are being blamed for contributing to the pollution.

    “but muh local eggs and nuggets”

    Untreated sewage spills and septic tank effluent are also suspected.

    People living on shores like that should be checked weekly, if constructions are even allowed on the shores of lakes like a drinking water reservoir. To me, it’s insane that people are allowed near the drinking water. We’ve figured out that it’s bad to allow animals near crops, especially horticultural crops; we’ve figured out that people who food production and processing should be done in hygienic systems; but we somehow can’t figure out that it’s BAD so allow some dipshits to live or play in the drinking reservoir.