![]() ![]() These chemicals are used to make fertilisers and so the effect this may have had on helping the algal bloom to grow to such an enormous size this year is massive. Due to the situation being classed as an emergency, Piney Point did not have to treat the majority of this water, leaving nitrogen and phosphorous to pour into our marine environment. State regulators permitted an emergency clearance of the reservoir in order to prevent a giant flood on the land and instead, 480 million gallons of wastewater were pumped into the sea in Tampa Bay. The reservoir posed the risk of breaking its banks and flooding local houses and businesses, forcing residents to temporarily evacuate. Despite knowing the liner had been in a bad condition for several years, no maintenance work had been carried out and so the operator was suddenly thrown into a disaster situation. ![]() In March, a leak was found in the liner of the reservoir pond which held wastewater full of nutrients. Piney Point is an abandoned phosphate plant where much of the toxic waste from its operating days still sits waiting for proper disposal. Yet in April, a disastrous event at an abandoned phosphate plant exposed the fact that the state environmental agency has not been effectively enforcing laws and fines for corporate polluters. Therefore, residents are asked to reduce the chemicals they put on their gardens, wash their cars on the grass where the soapy suds will seep into the earth and pick up after their pets, all to reduce the chance of excess nutrients finding their way into the sea. Sewage and chemicals can contribute to the red tide as they cause an excess of nutrients in the sea which fuels the growth of the algae and allows the bloom to expand quickly. Unfortunately, similar events are common each year in the Gulf of Mexico but they can be worsened by human activities. Yet some conservationists are worried that the canals won’t provide a safe haven for the sharks for long as if the water starts heating up, oxygen levels will fall here also and the sharks will have nowhere left to run. When the clouds of algae start to die and decompose, they start consuming oxygen, leaving the surrounding areas of ocean lacking this essential resource. Some sharks can normally be seen in local canals but recently sightings have been shockingly high as these large fish are thought to be travelling in search of food and oxygen. Locals have even seen several species of shark, including nurse and blacktip sharks, swimming up canals in what they believe is a bid to escape the polluted ocean. If plants such as seagrass start disappearing, then fascinating marine creatures such as manatees and sea turtles also start to struggle. When algae blooms and flourishes, it often blocks out sunlight which means plants struggle to grow and survive. Yet it is suspected that there are further tragedies happening under the waves. Throughout July and August, there were reports that hundreds of dead fish were washing up on the golden Floridian sands due to the algal bloom, many of which are in the most sensitive and productive area of the state. ![]() Whilst red tides occur naturally in the Gulf of Mexico, this summer’s event is even more devastating than normal for several reasons. Consuming these toxins via seafood or by entering the ocean can cause severe illness, yet their effects are also felt several miles inland as airborne particles can trigger respiratory problems. Whilst Karenia brevis are natural organisms, they can release toxins which are dangerous to both aquatic life and humans. These events are known as algal blooms and this specific microorganism turns the usually clear waters red when they are present. This summer has seen one of the worst red tides in decades swarm around the coast of Florida but what is a red tide and why is this year’s event so disastrous?Ī red tide is a naturally occurring phenomenon which is made up of microscopic plankton called Karenia brevis. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |