Scientists worried after whale deaths in Argentina

Researchers in Argentina are concerned that several whales have been found dead in the south of the country. They believe a microalgae may be behind the deaths.

Between September 24 and October 2, at least 13 southern capes have died in a water area near the Valdés Peninsula, an area that is a haven and breeding ground for the huge mammals, according to the organization ICB, which works for the whales’ conservation.

None of the whales observed so far have had any signs of injury or trauma, and all were well-nourished, according to the ICB.

Authorities have therefore begun conducting autopsies on the whales, testing the water and mollusks to determine the presence of possible biotoxins linked to red tides.

The phenomenon is a red, brown or yellow color of seawater due to huge amounts of certain single-celled algae, and can cause mass death for fish and other animals in the sea as some of the algae produce toxins, according to Nationalencyklopedin.