What causes the Black Sea to turn green? Environmental inspectors are analyzing water quality for pollutants.

This information was provided by the State Ecological Inspection of the Southwestern Region.

In recent weeks, the coast of Odessa has been suffering from a massive accumulation of algae — waves are bringing them ashore, resulting in water taking on unnatural shades of green, yellow, or brown.

This is typically a seasonal phenomenon linked to rising water temperatures, but an excess of pollutants in the sea can also stimulate water “blooming.”

To clarify the situation, state inspectors from the Southwestern Region collected samples of seawater within Odessa — particularly in areas where algae create a dense layer on the surface. The studies are ongoing, and results from the laboratory analysis will be released later.