Potentially Toxic Algae Showing Up Early In St. John's River (FL)

[hatrack]

St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman saw only ripples and the reflection of clouds in the calm brackish water last week as she looked out over the St. Johns River near the Shands Bridge.

But there, just below the surface, researchers found exactly what they feared — Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, a potentially toxic algae that is showing itself earlier than usual in the vast river that stretches along the west side of St. Johns County and through 12 Florida counties. There have been reports of the algae in St. Johns County tributaries and man-made canals in the fishing areas and further north in Doctors Lake in Orange Park. There have also been reported algae blooms since mid-April between the middle of Lake George and Palatka, said Teresa Monson, a spokeswoman for the St. Johns River Water Management District.

“We haven’t seen [this algae] dominant in the river since 2010,” Rinaman said in a Thursday phone interview. “This type of algae thrives on phosphorus and phosphorus levels are elevated throughout the river. Last time we had this type there were significant fish kills as well as a usually high mortality event for dolphins.” As of now, Rinaman said toxins have been detected in almost all of the samples taken. The good news is, it’s lower levels now, but the toxin levels can change from one day to the next, she added. “When you see it this early in the year it’s a bad sign of more to come. As the days heat up, we anticipate seeing more of this algae,” Rinaman said.

The St. Johns Riverkeeper is an independent nonprofit watchdog group, and Rinaman said it is her and the group’s job to hold local and state agencies accountable that are responsible for reducing pollution and monitoring waterways in Northeast Florida. One of the groups she reports to is the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which did not respond to a request by The Record for comment.

EDIT

https://www.staugustine.com/news/20190518/potentially-toxic-algae-already-being-seen-in-st-johns-river-and-it-could-get-worse

[beachbum bob]

1. unfortunately, all sorts of bad stuff will happen in and around Florida waterways and big water,

pretty much the end result of years of uncontrolled agricultural runoffs and practices as well as rampant expansion and development.

[hatrack]

2. But FL has a new GOP governor who really cares about Teh Environment!!

Why, he's even allowing state scientists to say "global warming"!

[beachbum bob]

3. belive it or not, he has made some changes BUT the underlying issues still remain on

the agricultural side, environmental rules and enforcement. But De Santis did take on the south florida water board which has jurisdiction