Seagrasses play a critical role in preserving marine diversity. They serve as a home to countless aquatic species, one of the many reasons why protecting them is vital.
New research shows the initial pulse of nutrient-laden wastewater from the former Piney Point fertilizer plant that spilled into Tampa Bay in April has largely dispersed, and the algae bloom that followed the incident has slowed.
Experts from the University of South Florida College of Marine Science, who have been tracking the impact of hundreds of millions of gallons of wastewater released into Tampa Bay during the emergency last month, released their first findings to the public on Monday afternoon.
Their research shows that the concentration of nutrients in Tampa Bay waters near Port Manatee, the location where Piney Point wastewater was released, have returned to levels considered more typical for the region.
Contamination from Piney Point has been diluted in Tampa Bay, researchers say
Scientists say early effects of release were not widespread but questions remain.
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Contamination levels in part of Tampa Bay have declined since the discharge of polluted water from the old Piney Point fertilizer plant site, researchers said Monday.
Initial results show the effects of the release in early April were relatively contained in an area of lower Tampa Bay, according to professors at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science. But many questions remain about the consequences of the spill on fish, seagrasses and what â if any â harm might emerge over time.
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