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Red Drift Algae

RED DRIFT ALGAE IS PROLIFERATING ALONG FLORIDA’S GULF COAST AND WASHING UP ON THE BEACHES IN HUGE CLUMPS.  LEARN WHY IT’S MORE THAN A SMELLY NUISANCE ON TODAY’S ENVIRONMINUTE.

AS COASTLINE DEVELOPMENT OCCURS, POLLUTION FROM SEWERS AND OVERFERTILIZED LAWNS AND FIELDSENTERS THE GULF AS NUTRIENTS  - ESPECIALLY NITROGEN.  THIS FUELS THE GROWTH OF RED SEAWEED BLOOMS, WHICH ASIDE FROM BEING UNSIGHTLY, CAN HARM OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS. BRIAN LAPOINTE (la-POINT) OF HARBOR BRANCH OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION IN FLORIDA, EXPLAINS.

LAPOINTE "WHEN THEY BECOME SUPER ABUNDANT, THEY CAUSE PROBLEMS OF LOW OXYGEN – WHAT WE CALL HYPOXIA – AND CAN LEAD TO DIE-OFF AND LOSS OF HABITAT FOR FISHERIES. (EDIT) AND OF COURSE WHEN THESE BLOOMS OCCUR AROUND CORAL REEFS, THEY CAN SIMPLY OVERGROW AND SMOTHER CORAL REEFS."

SO WHAT TO DO?  LAPOINTE SAYS MINIMIZING FERTILIZER USE AND IMPROVING WASTEWATER TREATMENT COULD HELP REDUCE ALGAE-INDUCING NUTRIENT LOADS.

To read more, visit the Herald Tribune or The Ledger.

To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org