Florida’s Atlantic coast is under attack by an algae bloom mat that is roughly 33 square miles and visible from space. The algae is spreading out across Lake Okeechobee and down major rivers to the Gulf Coast, creating a path of green-goo-destruction. Some counties are even under a state of emergency. People are getting sick (skin and respiratory ailments as well as gastrointestinal and liver illness), and marine life is dying. Beaches are closing, and the tourist industry is suffering.
These algae blooms are more common than we realize. Recently, the blooms have been a problem in Lake Eerie and the mouth of the Mississippi as well. These green monsters are also becoming more common and destructive as our planet warms. The warmer waters serve as a breeding ground for algae mats to take root.
The algae blooms are mostly caused by pollution from agriculture. Phosphorus and nitrogen from fertilizers run off farm fields and into waterways, making their way into a lake, river or ocean where the warm water and nutrient overload creates an algae explosion. Other causes include septic tank and sewage pollution runoff. The algae blooms are also creating dead zones (water lacking in oxygen) which greatly affect the marine life and fishing industry in the Gulf of Mexico. "The algae outbreaks are triggered by fertilizer sewage and manure pollution that the state has failed to properly regulate. It's like adding miracle grow to the water and it triggers massive algae outbreaks," said Earthjustice spokeswoman Alisa Coe in an interview with CNN.
Wildlife is suffering under the worst conditions. Marine life is quite literally drowning in a sea of toxic guacamole. The algae clogs the fishes’ gills, and they are unable to survive. Manatees have also fallen victim because the algae kills the seagrass that they eat, so they resort to eating red seaweed which destroys their fragile digestive system. The algae is even creating a blockade which prevents sea plants from getting the sunlight they need to survive. As a result, lots of marine species are lacking food supply.
The toxic-guacamole-algae-bloom-of-doom is going to be around for a while, too. Officials say the disaster needs 75 years of draining, but hopefully, it won't be that long. There isn't a whole lot that can be done, but currently, water is being diverted in order to decrease water flow to the crisis area.
This algae bloom has produced some serious issues, but it serves as an important reminder of some of the less direct effects of climate change and pollution issues we face.
