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Communities in southwestern Florida suffering from the toxic choking of the red tide and blooming blue-green algae could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
According to the latest red tide charts, provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the red tide toxin, Karenia brevis, is at levels "not present in the background" along all the shores of Lee County.
"In southwestern Florida, over the past week, Karenia brevis was observed in two of the 22 samples taken at very low concentrations." One of the very low-level samples was taken at 11 miles west of Cayo Costa State Park (Offshore), a low concentration sample taken from Bonita Beach Park (in coastal waters) A very low concentration indicates an abundance of 1 000 to 10,000 cells / L of Karenia brevis, "said Melody Kilborn, spokesperson for the FWC.
Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel / Captiva officials have praised beach conditions in recent weeks, urging the public to come forward and support local businesses that have suffered a serious economic shock.
As the waters begin to dissipate under the effect of the red tide, the authorities master the winds perfectly, as they play a major role in transporting the red tide to the interior and to the sea. outside the coast.
"The flowers of the red tides occur offshore and are washed away by the winds and currents.Although we can not predict the appearance of a red tide, scientists can predict its movement to Using wind and water flow data once localized proliferation, "said Kilborn. "Scientists also monitor the concentration of the body responsible for the red tide by regularly taking water samples and responding to blooms. The movement and concentration of the red tide is important because the effects of the red tide, such as fish kills and respiratory irritation, The information provided by forecasts and monitoring allows people to make informed decisions about their activities on the beach. "
The chances of return can only be predicted three days at a time, as the University of South Florida, as well as the FWC, use their system to forecast the red tide.
"The USF-FWC Red Tide Forecasting collaboration uses FWC's proliferation data in an ocean modeling system to create three-day forecasts of ongoing Karenia brevis blooms," said Kilborn. "Using this model, we know that a net southeastern transport of surface waters and a net movement of southwestern surface waters are expected over the next three days. therefore some movement, but we are not able to tell if the conditions will improve – or worse, outside this three day prediction window.
So, is it safe to swim after such a big red tide?
"The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is working diligently to collect water samples and monitor this overgrowth, as well as its effects on fish and wildlife," said Kilborn. "For questions about human health, we recommend contacting the Florida Department of Health."
The Department of Health is addressing the red tide issue on its website, floridahealth.gov. The specific link to the agency's Q & A on the red tide is floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/aquatic-toxins/red-tide.html.
"Is it safe to swim in water affected by the red tide?
"While people swim at red tide, some people may experience skin irritation and eye burns.If your skin is easily irritated, avoid the water of the red tide.If you feel an irritation, get out from the ocean and wash yourself carefully to the fresh water "states of the website.
For blue-green algae, conditions in Cape Coral and its more than 400 km of canals have improved dramatically – most of them looking liveable, riddled with thick mats of cyanobacteria and smelling foul smells.
The Cape Coral Yacht Club reopened its beach to swimmers last Friday after the DEP collected samples of the beach and pier, tested them and found them free of cyanobacteria, a city statement said.
The Florida Department of Health also tested the water quality, saying it was safe for swimming, officials said.
Other sites in Lee County have been tested in recent weeks, with improvements in all areas.
The FDEP Florida Algal Bloom Collection Samples website shows a site visit to Franklin Lock, with no visible algae.
The Alva boat ramp was also tested last week; results showing small visible algal particles, but the sampling did not give a positive result for the anatoxin-a or cyclo-spermopsin-two harmful bacteria produced from the proliferation of algae.
While all of these are positive signs that southwestern Florida has gone through what has been called the worst flowering so far in Florida, authorities tout Mother Nature's unpredictable behavior.
"Flowering conditions can change rapidly depending on wind, rain and other variables," said FDEP spokeswoman Dee Ann Miller. "Persistent blooms are regularly monitored and retested, and staff also regularly review satellite images and aerial photographs, where available, to inform the development of daily sampling plans."
"The algae outbreak response team takes all algal blooms seriously and all federal, state, and local agencies will continue to respond as quickly and effectively as possible to the algae blooms." Algal blooms observed and reported to ensure the health and safety of Floridians, visitors and our natural resources. "
Officials made it clear that one should avoid swimming or fishing when an overgrowth of algae was visible or that warnings were posted.
As the dry season approaches, fewer releases from Lake Okeechobee to Caloosahatchee are in place, and these practices have been ongoing for almost three weeks.
"Thanks to the drier conditions, we were able to evacuate the lake water and reduce the flows in the estuaries," said Lieutenant-Colonel Jennifer Reynolds, deputy commander of the Jacksonville District in South Florida, in a release press. "This includes a zero flow goal for St. Lucia and a gradual transition up to 1,000 cubic feet per second for the Caloosahatchee over the next three weeks."
This is the third week of a schedule for reducing debits, releases should continue at a minimum, according to officials.
"For optimal health of the Caloosahatchee estuary, it is necessary to maintain low flow rates during the dry season.Leon County will continue to work with the Corps of US Army Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District to ensure sufficient flows to the Caloosa season, "says a Lee.gov report on the Red Tide and Algae Proliferation.
For more information, visit www.lee.gov/waterqualityinfo.
-Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj
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