Report raises alarm over algae
They call it the green slime, a toxic ooze of algae that covered lakes and other water bodies across the United States this summer, closing beaches in Wisconsin and Kentucky, and killing scores of dolphins, manatees, birds and fish in Florida, a report says.
At least 21 states closed lakefront beaches and issued public health advisories as a result of toxic algae between May and September; last year 20 states took similar actions.
Toxic algae is the byproduct of the same types of pollution that causes dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico and the Chesapeake Bay - phosphorous and nitrogen from livestock manure and chemicals sprayed on crops such as corn that spills from farms into assorted waterways during moderate to heavy rains.
Urban sewage overflows that send millions of gallons of stormwater mixed with raw human waste during rains also contributes to the problem, even though such point-source pollution, unlike most non-point-source farm pollution, is heavily regulated by the federal government, environmentalists say.
The effects of polluted runoff is made worse by the changing climate, said Hans Paerl, professor of marine and environmental sciences at the University of North Carolina. "Global warming and intensification of major storms and droughts play major roles in the spread of toxic blue-green algal blooms worldwide."
Algae turns water green when rain is followed by drought. Bacteria from algae thrive when water levels fall in lakes, reservoirs and ponds, taking advantage of the low flow and low volume.
Cyanobacteria, often called blue-green algae, can produce nerve toxins and toxic chemicals that attack human skin. "In some cases," the report said, some toxins "can cause asthma-like symptoms, severe vomiting, diarrhea or irritated skin or eyes." Children are most at risk, it said.
Over the past summer, New York waters had the most reports of toxic algae infestation with 50, followed by Kansas with 18 and Washington with 12. In all, there were 147 reports in Iowa, Oregon, Ohio, Kentucky, Florida and California, among other states.
Grand Lake St. Mary's in Ohio has spent $8 million since 2009 removing green slime that has cropped up May through October. In southeast Florida, the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon were choked with algae, prompting the state Department of Health to warn residents to avoid it.
A massive algal bloom in southwest Florida killed a record 241 of Florida endangered manatees where they spend winter, according to a count by the states Fish and Wildlife Institute. There are only about 5,000 manatees in the wild.
At least 21 states closed lakefront beaches and issued public health advisories as a result of toxic algae between May and September; last year 20 states took similar actions.
Toxic algae is the byproduct of the same types of pollution that causes dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico and the Chesapeake Bay - phosphorous and nitrogen from livestock manure and chemicals sprayed on crops such as corn that spills from farms into assorted waterways during moderate to heavy rains.
Urban sewage overflows that send millions of gallons of stormwater mixed with raw human waste during rains also contributes to the problem, even though such point-source pollution, unlike most non-point-source farm pollution, is heavily regulated by the federal government, environmentalists say.
The effects of polluted runoff is made worse by the changing climate, said Hans Paerl, professor of marine and environmental sciences at the University of North Carolina. "Global warming and intensification of major storms and droughts play major roles in the spread of toxic blue-green algal blooms worldwide."
Algae turns water green when rain is followed by drought. Bacteria from algae thrive when water levels fall in lakes, reservoirs and ponds, taking advantage of the low flow and low volume.
Cyanobacteria, often called blue-green algae, can produce nerve toxins and toxic chemicals that attack human skin. "In some cases," the report said, some toxins "can cause asthma-like symptoms, severe vomiting, diarrhea or irritated skin or eyes." Children are most at risk, it said.
Over the past summer, New York waters had the most reports of toxic algae infestation with 50, followed by Kansas with 18 and Washington with 12. In all, there were 147 reports in Iowa, Oregon, Ohio, Kentucky, Florida and California, among other states.
Grand Lake St. Mary's in Ohio has spent $8 million since 2009 removing green slime that has cropped up May through October. In southeast Florida, the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon were choked with algae, prompting the state Department of Health to warn residents to avoid it.
A massive algal bloom in southwest Florida killed a record 241 of Florida endangered manatees where they spend winter, according to a count by the states Fish and Wildlife Institute. There are only about 5,000 manatees in the wild.