Pollen blooms are back
Have you seen a fine yellow dust along the coastline or in your local stream recently?
You could be forgiven for thinking that it’s pollution but it is most probably pollen released from the flowers of plants and trees, especially pine trees, and it can accumulate in quantities large enough to discolour waterways and other damp or wet surfaces.
Pollen can cause misery for many people at this time of year, but it’s a natural and harmless occurrence in our rivers and streams and should not be confused with actual pollutants such as paints or chemicals.
“Tree pollen is not a threat to the environment, aquatic animals or water supplies. The resulting yellow mess is often misinterpreted as a chemical spill or industrial pollution, but in fact the pollen is a good protein for aquatic organisms,” says Greater Wellington's Environmental Protection acting team leader Naomi Middleton.
“About this time our environmental hotline starts receiving complaints and call outs about pollen and other natural occurrences such as smelly seaweed along beaches, discoloured streams below wetlands or slips, foam in streams near waterfalls, and floating scum on the harbour due to jellyfish.
"Although such things are harmless, Greater Wellington is always happy to receive all reports of suspected pollution”, says Naomi.
Greater Wellington operates a 24-hour Environmental Protection Hotline (free phone 0800 496 734).