NASA printed this original story on July 15, 2023. Edits by EarthSky.
Algae bloom spreads over Lake Okeechobee
Algae have lined about half of Lake Okeechobee – Florida’s largest freshwater lake – for a lot of June and early July 2023. The algae bloom led to the closure of components of a marina and well being warnings in neighboring counties.
Swirls and tendrils of blue-green algae seem within the picture above. The Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 acquired the picture on June 12, 2023. Round that point, a NOAA analysis of Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite information indicated that algae blooms lined about 380 sq. miles (980 sq. kilometers) of the lake. That equates to greater than half the world of the lake.
Are the algae dangerous?
Blue-green algae, also called cyanobacteria, are single-celled organisms that depend on photosynthesis to show daylight into meals. The micro organism develop swiftly when vitamins like phosphorus and nitrogen are plentiful in nonetheless water. The bloom pictured right here might include blue-green algae, in addition to different varieties of phytoplankton. Solely a floor pattern can verify the precise composition of a bloom. Some cyanobacteria produce microcystin: a potent toxin that may irritate the pores and skin and trigger liver and kidney injury.
Scientists discovered microcystin in water samples they took from the lake on June 17. Additionally they discovered microcystin close to the floodgate and canal that releases water into the St. Lucie Estuary on Florida’s southeastern coast. Extra lake water usually will get launched into the estuary and into farmlands to the south. However in mid-June, amid excessive lake ranges, water managers prevented discharge due to the presence of dangerous algae, in response to the Miami Herald.
The Florida Division of Well being in Lee, Martin, and Palm Beach counties issued public well being warnings in late June and early July. It cautioned residents to not swim or boat within the lake because of the presence of dangerous algal toxins. The dangerous bloom grew to cowl 420 sq. miles (1,088 sq. kilometers) on July 4, and spanned 440 sq. miles (1,140 sq. kilometers) by July 11.
Backside line: An algae bloom in Lake Okeechobee – Florida’s largest freshwater lake – lined greater than half the lake in June and July.
Read more: Oceans turning greener due to global warming
