Algae Blooms-The Green Monster!

Nitrogen and phosphorus are important nutrients for life in rivers, lakes and the sea. However, large amounts of these nutrients can be damaging. The most common negative effect of nutrient pollution is an algae bloom, which is harmful for the fish, plants, animals and humans who use the water. For a long time, algae blooms have been a problem in Florida’s beaches, lakes, rivers and springs. An important cause of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution is excessive fertilization, both residential and agricultural, which in turn runs out into the rivers, lakes and costal waters. Other causes include septic tanks and rainfall flowing over cropland picking up animal waste and depositing it into the water.

As a result of a lawsuit by our local St. Johns Riverkeeper and the public interest group Earthjustice, it looks as though there might be an end in sight for this problem. Earthjustice sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of several Florida environmental groups which resulted in a settlement in which the EPA has agreed to set limits for the nutrient pollution that causes algae blooms in the St. Johns River and other Florida waters. The EPA has until this month, January 2010, to propose the pollution limits for Florida’s waters, and until October 2010 to finalize the new rules.

What can we as individuals do to prevent nutrient pollution? Well, there are several things we can do. Thinking twice about how we treat our plants and flowers in our gardens will affect the water quality in our local rivers and streams. Making sure to use fertilizers in moderation is important. In addition, sweeping up your driveway, gutters and sidewalks can make a significant difference. Always picking up after our pets, and if you must, taking our cars to the car wash instead of washing them in our driveways will also help. Lastly, we should contact our local environmental agency if we notice dead fish and green water, or contact the police if we see illegal dumping into any water body.

To read more about what the EPA are doing to combat the nutrient pollution, visit http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/nutrient/doing.html.

Victoria Lindbak, Intern