Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
what-does-big-sugar-have-to-do-with-floridas-red-tide
https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/what-does-big-sugar-have-to-do-with-floridas-red-tide/67-587820301You’ve been hearing a lot about toxic algae wreaking havoc in Florida’s waters. People are having trouble breathing, marine life is dying and the economy is suffering.
And what’s causing it is a combination of naturally occurring conditions and human activity. Red tide occurs naturally. There’s evidence that it was around 500 years ago. But in the last 50 years it has gotten worse and we humans have a lot to do with it.
Runoff from farms north of the lake, lawn fertilizer and people’s septic tanks polluted the Lake. And now, that water feeds the toxic algae, creating an ecological disaster for Floridians.
“Wetlands are very good at taking up those nutrients, so you have nice clean water released out of the wetlands. The problem is now the northern third of the Everglades has been drained and turned into these sugar cane fields,” Dr. Brand said. “That’s what forces engineers to release the water to the east and the west.”
And what’s causing it is a combination of naturally occurring conditions and human activity. Red tide occurs naturally. There’s evidence that it was around 500 years ago. But in the last 50 years it has gotten worse and we humans have a lot to do with it.
Runoff from farms north of the lake, lawn fertilizer and people’s septic tanks polluted the Lake. And now, that water feeds the toxic algae, creating an ecological disaster for Floridians.
“Wetlands are very good at taking up those nutrients, so you have nice clean water released out of the wetlands. The problem is now the northern third of the Everglades has been drained and turned into these sugar cane fields,” Dr. Brand said. “That’s what forces engineers to release the water to the east and the west.”
https://www.facebook.com/10NewsWTSP/videos/342917952955317/