Southern Florida has recently experienced blooms of a cyanobacteria algae that can negatively affect the gastrointestinal system, liver, skin and nervous system. These toxic algae blooms not only pose health risks to people, but they also harm local wildlife in the area. Governor Rick Scott has announced Florida’s waterways and beaches to be in a state of emergency. These recent blooms may be linked to runoff from fertilizer chemicals used on agricultural and residential properties.
Florida’s State of Emergency
Since May, Florida’s waterways and beaches along the Treasure Coast, Lake Okeechobee, and the Everglades have been covered by the toxic cyanobacteria algae. The peak bloom in Lake Okeechobee covered 33 square miles, roughly one-third of the lake’s surface area. Upon contact, the toxic algae can cause damage to the human body and wildlife. Fish have started dying and concerns are being raised regarding the state of large wildlife in the area.
Because of the massive algal blooms, Lake Okeechobee’s tourism industry has been experiencing a disastrous decline. Tourism is the main source of income for the residents in the area, but since the lake is now dangerous upon contact, less people are making their way to Florida’s waterways. Not only is Lake Okeechobee suffering from the outbreak, but tourism along the coast is declining as well.
One of the reasons for this massive algal bloom is due to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and their measures for flood control. Earlier in 2016 the Army Corps released large amounts of water into Florida’s nearby estuaries to prevent the lake from overflowing. Unfortunately, this flood control measure caused the toxic algal bloom to spread.
The Ill Effects of Chemical Fertilizers
Although flood control measures are one source of the spread, the main reason appears to be the high nutrient levels in the water. A spokeswoman for Earthjustice explains that the outbreaks of algae are triggered by manure pollution and fertilizer sewage. Unfortunately, the state of Florida has failed to properly regulate the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other chemicals that end up in the waterways. Lake Okeechobee in particular has been contaminated by waste-filled run-off and nutrient rich manure from nearby farms and residential properties.
The ideal conditions for the toxic algae are when hot summertime temperatures heat up the water. The extra nutrients that runoff into waterways enhance the ability for the cyanobacteria to bloom. But that’s not all… another problem to think about is when the algae dies off. The affected bodies of water could become oxygen deficient dead zones where little or no life can flourish.
Because of over-fertilization, poor land management and climate change, waterways in Florida and many other states in the U.S. are faced with the issue of toxic algal blooms. One of the key ways to address the issue is to raise awareness and invest in responsible gardening and agricultural practices. It’s important to reassess the way we treat the environment and understand how using chemical fertilizers in our home gardens and farms have farther reaching consequences than we think.