You may be fully vaccinated, but don’t throw away those masks quite yet. Researchers say you should save them for algal bloom season. The COVID-19 pandemic set back research on blue-green algae, but one scientist said that in a small way, the pandemic also prepared us for the toxic blooms. “It’s starting to heat up, […]
If you’re heading out on the water, you’ll want to watch out for areas with algae blooms this weekend.
On Friday, the Florida Department of Health issued a health advisory for Davis Boat Ramp, which is on Davis Boulevard in Fort Myers Shores. The alert for Franklin Locks is still active for now.
WINK News reporter Gail Levy went to Davis Boat Ramp and didn’t see any algae. But, experts say, that we should still be cautious.
The green you see in Lake Okeechobee right now is a bloom of Cyanobacteria.
“It’s a little early to have such a massive bloom, or what it appears to be,” said Barry Rosen, Ph.D., a professor at The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Tool helps prepare for sea level rise, coastal flooding in Collier County
Published: April 28, 2021 5:30 PM EDT
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We may not have a crystal ball to predict the future, but researchers hope a new tool will give us a better idea of how one of our most populated counties will fare in the face of storms and sea level rise.
There’s nothing quite like sitting alongside the beautiful Gulf on a sunny day in Collier County, but we don’t want that water moving further inland.
It’s a real concern for Hyla Crane, executive director of the Marco Island Center for the Arts.
“Ever since I can remember I’ve always wanted to be outside, whether that was here in Florida or in Puerto Rico,” Rodriguez says. “The absolute best memories that I have are going out to my great grandfather’s permaculture garden and running around, hiding under the leaves when it rains.”
Passionate about all aspects of water research, environmental science graduate student Rodriguez found her way to The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University through algae. A direct Taíno descendant, she carries the spiritual energy drawn from nature into her research as a water warrior.
“My Taíno ancestors felt that it was a spiritual connection to be around these bioluminescent bays.” Rodriguez says that the algae, or dinoflagellates, that create the bioluminescence is dissipating in part due to pollution, large storms and hurricanes and inspired her to focus on learning more to conserve and reinvigorate the mystical bays. “I feel it is still a sacred place for me. The
Red tide still plaguing Southwest Florida shores
Published: January 12, 2021 6:19 PM EST
Updated: January 13, 2021 2:55 PM EST
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But further up the beach, Jerry Lightner, of Pennsylvania, said everything’s been good.
Before his beach trip, he said, he read about red tide and was concerned.
“Read about what it does to your respiratory system,” Lightner said. “We were a little nervous about it, to come down and rent a place for a while and have to deal with red tide. It was a little scary for us.”
A red tide bloom can irritate the eyes and cause people to cough. It’s hard to predict when a red tide bloom will begin and when it will finally go away. A red tide bloom that began in 2017 didn’t go away until 2019. Lots of factors come into play when it comes to breaking up a red tide bloom.