Karachi: A strange and unpleasant odor has been detected in coastal areas of the city, including Hawksbay, Sands Pit, Turtle Beach, Ibrahim Hyderi, Rehri Goth, Keamari, Shamspir, Kakapir, and other nearby areas.
This smell is due to the decay of aquatic plants, specifically phytoplankton, following monsoon rains and sea turbulence.
According to Muhammad Moazzam Khan, a technical advisor at WWF Pakistan, the odor is caused by aquatic plants, particularly phytoplankton, which grow in large quantities underwater every year. The smell is released when these plants die or decay.
He stated that this phenomenon occurs every year immediately after the end of the monsoon season.
After the monsoon, the wind direction in the city also changes, causing this distinct smell to be carried to different parts of the city, gradually diminishing over time.
Experts believe that phytoplankton, like the lungs of the Earth, play a vital role in oxygen production.
These microscopic plants, commonly known as phytoplankton, are found in the saline waters of seas, rivers, and lakes.
They are so small that they are not easily visible to the naked eye, but in large numbers, they create a noticeable green presence in the water.
These microscopic plants produce their own food in the presence of sunlight and water, releasing oxygen in the process. Two-thirds of the Earth’s oxygen supply comes from these plants.
As a crucial source of oxygen production, these microscopic organisms form a significant and essential part of the global food chain.