Scientists Reveal Cause of Pink Sea at Gadani Jetty, Issue Health Warning

Marine scientists have uncovered the secret behind the pink color of the sea water at Gadani Jetty and have warned of the dangers.

According to details, the beautiful blue water of the Gadani Jetty recently suffered a strange phenomenon and turned into a pink, smelly, and polluted lake.

Marine scientists from the National Institute of Maritime Affairs uncovered the secret after an investigation.

On the instructions of President Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed (retd) following media reports, scientists from the Karachi chapter went to the site, inspected and collected samples.

This rare phenomenon was discussed not only by marine experts but also by the local public and on social media. During the inspection, the smell, color and other characteristics of the water were examined, while dead fish were also seen in some places.

Scientists said that the ‘pink tide’ is the result of a change in the color of seawater, which is caused by the growth of certain types of microscopic organisms (halophilic organisms or algae).

Such incidents have been reported in different parts of the world such as Australia, America, Mediterranean and Southeast Asia. This is the third recorded incident in Pakistan, the previous ones occurred near Karachi in 2017 and off the coast of Makran in 2021.

Laboratory results revealed that the water temperature at Gadani Jetty was 36.5 degrees Celsius, which is much higher than normal, while the salinity level reached 48 PPT, which is higher than the normal level (35 PPT).

The amount of nutrients such as ammonium and phosphate in the water was also found to be dangerously high, which led to abnormal growth of algae and bacteria. The acidity of the water (pH 6.94) was lower than normal and the turbidity was also recorded several times higher.

According to the investigation, the poor design of the jetty disrupted the natural circulation of water, which increased the temperature and salinity in the enclosed area and provided an ideal environment for microorganisms.

Experts warned that direct contact with affected water, such as swimming or other water activities, should be avoided as this could lead to skin diseases or toxic effects, while eating seafood caught in the area should also be avoided due to the presence of dead fish.

The NIMA team has recommended immediate safety measures and improvements to the jetty design to the Balochistan Environmental Protection Agency to restore water flow.

The NIMA President stressed that protecting coastal communities and conserving marine ecosystems should be a top priority at the provincial and national levels.