Stuart, Fla. – Jordan Schwartz, (click here) owner of the Ohana Surf Shop, said he wanted to cry when he saw the green slime — a toxic algae bloom — covering his swath of Stuart Beach on Florida’s east coast.
“Animals are in distress, some are dying, the smell is horrible,” he told CNN on Friday. “You have to wear a mask in the marina and the river. It’s heartbreaking and there is no end in sight.”
The economic impact is devastating, he said.
“This town is 100% driven by tourism but the tourism is empty,” he said. “You go to the beach and it’s the height of summer and we have empty beaches, empty restaurants, empty hotels.”
Gov. Rick Scott,declared a state of emergency midweek in Martin, St. Lucie, Lee and Palm Beach counties because of the toxic algae bloom that originated in Lake Okeechobee and spread to the beaches....
In order for cyanobacteria to thrive and develop this strong an area of a bloom, the nutrients have to be there. Cyanobacteria are usually found in fresh water, however, this area of Florida has estuaries which mix fresh and salty ocean water.
The most commonly (click here) occurring groups of freshwater algae are diatoms and green algae. Blue-green algae, which are more correctly known as cyanobacteria, are also frequently found in freshwater systems, however, they are not algae but microorganisms that possess characteristics of algae (chlorophyll-a and oxygenic photosynthesis). They are found in fresh, estuarine, and marine (salt water) waters in the U.S. Cyanobacteria are often confused with filamentous green algae, because both can produce dense mats that can impede activities like swimming and fishing, and may cause odor problems and oxygen depletion; however, unlike cyanobacteria, filamentous algae are not generally thought to produce toxins. Freshwater cyanobacterial blooms that produce highly potent cyanotoxins are known as cyanobacterial HABs (cyanoHABs). However, some cyanobacteria species are capable to release toxins into the water without cell rupture or death....
There is also the Indian River Lagoon. These are all coastal waters that occur naturally. We live on a hot planet and these blooms will occur more frequently because the nutrients will occur more frequently. More biological activity, more nutrients. AND. There are issues of overland flow and pollution runoff from the land which is wall to wall condominiums.
The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) (click here) is part of the longest barrier island complex in the United States, occupying more than 30% of Florida's east coast. The extent of the IRL system spans approximately 156 miles from Ponce de Leon Inlet in the Mosquito Lagoon to Jupiter Inlet near West Palm Beach
Whether anyone likes this or not, the cyanobacteria is pulling CO2 out of the air. It is not all bad news. At least from a scientific perspective. It is a shame it is happening on the ($$$$) 4th of July.
I never did think much of the federal Monday holidays, but, the 4th is on a Monday this year, so it really is unfortunate this happened.
In order for cyanobacteria to thrive and develop this strong an area of a bloom, the nutrients have to be there. Cyanobacteria are usually found in fresh water, however, this area of Florida has estuaries which mix fresh and salty ocean water.
The most commonly (click here) occurring groups of freshwater algae are diatoms and green algae. Blue-green algae, which are more correctly known as cyanobacteria, are also frequently found in freshwater systems, however, they are not algae but microorganisms that possess characteristics of algae (chlorophyll-a and oxygenic photosynthesis). They are found in fresh, estuarine, and marine (salt water) waters in the U.S. Cyanobacteria are often confused with filamentous green algae, because both can produce dense mats that can impede activities like swimming and fishing, and may cause odor problems and oxygen depletion; however, unlike cyanobacteria, filamentous algae are not generally thought to produce toxins. Freshwater cyanobacterial blooms that produce highly potent cyanotoxins are known as cyanobacterial HABs (cyanoHABs). However, some cyanobacteria species are capable to release toxins into the water without cell rupture or death....
There is also the Indian River Lagoon. These are all coastal waters that occur naturally. We live on a hot planet and these blooms will occur more frequently because the nutrients will occur more frequently. More biological activity, more nutrients. AND. There are issues of overland flow and pollution runoff from the land which is wall to wall condominiums.
The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) (click here) is part of the longest barrier island complex in the United States, occupying more than 30% of Florida's east coast. The extent of the IRL system spans approximately 156 miles from Ponce de Leon Inlet in the Mosquito Lagoon to Jupiter Inlet near West Palm Beach
Whether anyone likes this or not, the cyanobacteria is pulling CO2 out of the air. It is not all bad news. At least from a scientific perspective. It is a shame it is happening on the ($$$$) 4th of July.
I never did think much of the federal Monday holidays, but, the 4th is on a Monday this year, so it really is unfortunate this happened.
