New research has found that the recent algal bloom along the South Australian coastline has had a major negative psychological impact on the local population.
The results were reported after a survey of more than 600 South Australians, conducted by Adelaide University.
Key findings in the survey include:
- 69% experienced “frequent rumination,” indicating that they couldn’t stop thinking about the bloom
- 63% felt anxiety about personal impacts or helplessness
- 54% reported emotional symptoms such as fear or distress
- 20% experienced behavioural disruptions, including sleep difficulties.
The research was led by Dr. Brianna Le Busque, Program Director of Environmental Science and Geospatial Science at Adelaide University. She commented about the effect of the bloom on the Australian population:
“More than 60% of the people we surveyed said they were repeatedly thinking about the bloom or felt that their personal actions wouldn’t make a difference. Over half reported feeling anxious or afraid, and one in five said it was affecting their sleep or ability to concentrate. This tells us that the impacts of environmental crises extend well beyond the visible damage to ecosystems.”
She added:
“For many South Australians, the beach is a place of solace and restoration. When that space becomes associated with dead marine life, foam and health warnings, it changes how people feel about going there.”
Finally, Le Busque said regarding the impact of the bloom:
“We often think about the economic and environmental costs of events like harmful algal blooms. But we also need to consider the human cost. These events can disrupt people’s daily routines, their sense of place, and their relationship with nature…This bloom has shown that when the ocean suffers, communities suffer too.”
