Vibrant, verdant masses of algae and invasive aquatic plants frequently cover the surface of the reservoir at South Africa's Hartebeespoort Dam. A vivid-green bloom of toxic algae and planets spreading across a reservoir Which satellite took the photo? Aug. 10, 2022This striking satellite snap shows a verdant mass of algae and other aquatic plants sprawling across the surface of a recreational reservoir in South Africa. However, the Hartbeespoort reservoir is in a constant state of "hypereutrophication," which means it has an overabundance of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. As a result, algae have been blooming constantly, spreading and dying across the reservoir's surface for decades.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 07, 2026 22:02 UTC