Historically, Lake Okeechobee was thought to be impaired only by phosphorus, focusing efforts on reducing agricultural runoff. However, new comprehensive sampling across the Lake Okeechobee Waterway and its connected estuaries shows that toxic algal blooms also are driven by rising nitrogen levels from human waste and urban runoff. Increased nitrogen, worsened by extreme rainfall, significantly fuels bloom severity. Findings underscore the need for integrated nutrient management and improved wastewater treatment to protect the lake and its estuaries.
Tag: coastal areas
Tulane researcher available to talk about the climate-saving power of mangrove forests
Tulane University researcher Daniel Friess and his team work to unveil the critical role that mangrove forests play in the fight against climate change. Mangroves are shrubs or trees that grow mainly in coastal saline or brackish water. Mangroves have…
Killer algae creeping down the coast of California
Algal blooms, exacerbated by climate change, shown to have a connection with several adverse health effects in humans and animals In the past month, thousands of sick or dead animals have been reported along the California coastline because of exposure…
FAU, Virtual Planet and City of West Palm Beach Unveil Groundbreaking Virtual Reality Experience
The multidisciplinary team created a virtual simulation of the devastation that a Category 5 hurricane and sea level rise could have on West Palm Beach. The simulation, produced with 3D technology, reveals the destruction that could occur in Osprey Park and the surrounding communities, highlighting the threat to the coastline and potential solutions for coastal areas.