Ministry, civic groups launch joint algal toxin survey at Nakdong River bloom sites

The Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy said Friday it is conducting a joint algal toxin survey with civic groups — including the Nakdong River Network and the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement — at sites along the Nakdong River where algal blooms have occurred.

This year's joint survey is broader in scope and began earlier than last September's investigation. The range of items under examination has also expanded: in addition to testing raw water and ambient air, researchers are now collecting samples from inside residents' nasal passages. The survey is being carried out by the Kyungpook National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, with the National Institute of Environmental Research participating at the same sites using identical methods.

The full survey got underway after a joint field visit on June 12 and is scheduled to continue through July and August — the period when algal bloom risk is greatest.

The Kyungpook National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation and the National Institute of Environmental Research plan to complete analysis of all collected samples this year. The findings will be jointly reviewed before being made public.