Issue:

Harmful Algal Blooms

microcystis aeruginosa

Blue-green Algae (Cyanobacteria)

Cyanobacteria is one of the oldest types of lifeforms on Earth and is found primarily in freshwater systems. There are thousands of species of cyanobacteria and many are known to produce a variety of toxins.

Cyanobacteria is a photosynthetic microorganism that processes sunlight, nitrogen and phosphorous to live. They can regualate their position in the water column for optimal light and thrive in warm, nutrient-rich fresh or brackish water with low turbulence.

Microcystis and Anabaena are two of the most common cyanobacteria found in estuarine systems today. These bacteria are known to produce cyanotoxins dangerous to humans and animals. Microcystin and Anatoxin are classes of hepatoxin and neurotoxin, affecting the liver and brain, respectively.

Human and animal exposure to Cyantoxins comes in three primary forms of contact:

Dermal contact
Inhalation or aspiration from aerosolized surface water
Ingestion

Harmful algal blooms have severe impacts on human health, aquatic ecosystems and our economy.

Red Tide (Karenia brevis)

Red tide is a marine dinoflagellate found in saltwater, and has been known to inhabit the Gulf of Mexico throughout recorded history. Red tide blooms have been increasing in scope and intensity within the last 30 years. Red tide has also occurred throughout the Gulf and Atlantic Coast, reaching as far as North Carolina.

Karenia brevis can utilize at least 12 different forms of nutrients and also consume other single cell organisms for food. They are capable of motion and directed swimming allowing them greater access to nutrients.

Red Tide produces brevatoxins which can be deadly to many sea animals and often causes acute respiratory symptoms in humans. Aerosolized health effects include irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs and exacerbating occurrences of respiratory distress, bronchitis, asthma and pneumonia. Brevatoxin can also have a serious impact on the marine food-chain, contributing to shellfish poisoning and gastrointestinal disorders.

Take Action

Contact Your State Legislators

Calusa Waterkeeper calls on citizens and stakeholders to urge elected officials and responsible agencies to take the following ten actions:

The toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) often stretching from Lake Okeechobee to our west coast is the result of decades of failed water policy implementation. A perfect storm of lax enforcement and under-funding at the local, state and national levels has culminated in the historic harmful algae blooms (HABs) that plagued our region in 2018 (and so many other years).

If political leaders fail to take action, history is doomed to repeat itself year after year, causing catastrophic harm to our ecosystem and our economy.

The science is clear on what needs to be done.

What has been lacking is the political will to enact the regulation and legislation required to begin to reverse these problems. We look to you, as informed citizens, to proactively communicate your water quality concerns to newly elected officials. It will take a groundswell of voices if we are to affect change in Tallahassee during this coming legislative session.

Find Your Legislators

Calusa Waterkeeper joins the Center for Biological Diversity, Waterkeeper Alliance, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) and Conservancy of Southwest Florida in submitted comments to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the intent to develop a policy on the determination of a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) and hypoxia as an Event of National Significance in freshwater systems. Read the comments now(PDF).

Troubled Waters

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Harmful Algal Blooms

Researchers Find Blue-green Algae Toxin in Dolphins that also have Brain Disease

Mar 25, 2019

A toxic blue-green algae that choked the Fort Myers-Cape Coral area last summer has shown up in dolphins with brain disease. Researchers tested 14 stranded dolphins and all but one of the dolphins tested positive for the cyanobacterial neurotoxin known as BMAA as well as brain disease.

New Study Shows Alzheimer’s-like Brain Disease in Dead Florida Dolphins

Mar 21, 2019

Toxic blue-green algae hit SWFL hard in 2018. Dolphins washed up on our shores by the dozen. Newly released research by scientists at the University of Miami found dead dolphins poisoned by blue-green algae showed signs of Alzheimer’s-like brain disease.

Lake Okeechobee Releases Cause Concerns about Water Quality & Algae Blooms

Feb 28, 2019

Lake Okeechobee releases started again last week, and the results are a mixed bag for the Caloosahatchee and its delicate estuary. The volume of water is not concerning to many local environmental groups, but they do question the quality of water coming from the big lake.

Green Algae Spotted at Franklin Lock in Alva

Feb 8, 2019

WINK News spotted green algae at the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam in Alva Friday, where algae build up is mainly seen at the south end of the lock. “What concerns me most is another consecutive year of these harmful algal blooms,” Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani said.

Federal Report Shows Salt Causes Release of More Blue-Green Algae Toxins into Local Waters

Dec 5, 2018

A federal report suggests that the presence of salt causes blue-green algae cells to burst and release all toxins into the water. Saltwater causes the toxin-carrying membranes to rupture, releasing toxins that were stored inside the cells.

Where did Toxic Algae Vacuumed from Lee County Canals Go?

Dec 1, 2018

Southwest Florida’s recent toxic algae blooms were unprecedented in scope, persistence and sheer nastiness. Also unprecedented was how Lee County disposed of some of the crud, shown by science to be potentially carcinogenic to humans.