Due to a bizarre naturally occurring algae, many Australian beaches were closed
for a day. Red blooms such as these can be a hazard to swimmers due to high
levels of ammonia contained in the algae which can cause rashes and eye
irritation. The thick bloom was caused by noctiluca scintillans, a
dinoflagellate marine algae that is also called “Sea Sparkle”, because it
exhibits bioluminescence. But all that is a really technical way of saying that
it makes the water look red.
