Caspian Sea Near Aktau Turns Red, Sparking Alarm Among Locals

The coastline of the Caspian Sea near Aktau’s 1st micro-district and the village of Akshukur has taken on an unusual red hue, raising concerns among local residents.

Eyewitnesses quickly took to social media, sharing photos and videos while speculating about possible causes. However, experts say there is no cause for alarm, The Caspian Post reports citing foreign media.

According to Kirill Osin, head of the NGO Eco Mangistau, the change in water color is a seasonal phenomenon linked to a mass bloom of diatom algae, which can be triggered by sudden temperature fluctuations. He added that this process does not pose a threat to the region’s ecology or marine life.

Despite these reassurances, the Department of Ecology of the Mangistau Region has initiated water sampling to analyze chemical and oil product content. “The research will help confirm that the changes in water coloration are caused by natural processes,” the department stated, promising to release the test results soon.

Algae blooms in the Caspian Sea are a recurring phenomenon. Similar cases were recorded:

• 2020 - Near the embankment of Primorsky settlement.
• 2017 - In the 9A microdistrict area.
• 2018 - From the Shagala Hotel to the Nur Plaza beach.

Earlier this year, residents of Kazakhstan witnessed another unusual sight when “ice flowers” formed on the Kapshagai Reservoir in the Almaty region. These delicate formations, resembling snow-white petals with pointed edges, appear under specific weather conditions on a thin layer of ice.