Pine Pollen in Lake Ontario is appearing as foaming yellow scum.
The Town of Cobourg’s Environmental Service’s Department says it may not look pretty but it’s NOT harmful.
The pine pollen appears during the months of June and July, but is most common during the month of June, the accumulation of a mustard yellow scum on inland lakes and along the shores and bays of Lake Ontario is caused when pine pollen from surrounding forests is blown into the water by high winds. This is a natural phenomenon that occurs in most of Northern Ontario where a forest ecosystem is prevalent.
This pine pollen should not be mistaken for algae, spilled paint or petroleum and is not harmful nor does it pose a health risk. The pine pollen will eventually decompose or become trapped in the sediment along the shoreline.
For additional information on this trend the Severn Sound Environmental Association provides insight into this yearly phenomena on their website: www.severnsound.ca/Pages/Pollen.aspx
