The Imperial County Department of Public Health has been notified of areas of discoloration in the Salton Sea.
The area of concern , the southeastern portion of the sea , was detected by the National Weather Service satellite imagery. The Imperial County Environmental Health Department determined that the discoloration is not related to an algae bloom but is most likely related to a gypsum irruption. Gypsum irruptions typically occur in warmer weather , between May and November , followed by a significant wind event causing sulfides from decomposing organic matter on the sea floor to rise to the surface. The Environmental Health Department says the change in appearance is a result of light scattering through the gypsum crystals forming on the surface of the Sea. They added that , at this time , there is no evidence of a recent fish die-off in the area. Environmental Health will continue to monitor the situation.
