[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]:shakehead
Scientists hunt for cause of algae bloom damaging S. Florida's coral reefs[/FONT] [/FONT]http://www.scubaboard.com/ http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/trb....inelcom;pos=1;sz=160x600;tile=1;ord=31210990?
[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica]By David Fleshler
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
March 30, 2007
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica]Divers went into the waters off southern Palm Beach and northern Broward counties Thursday to gather samples of a densely matted algae that's invading and smothering coral reefs.
Resembling thick moss, the algae Cladaphora liniformis blocks sunlight, depletes oxygen and takes up space that could otherwise be used by young corals.
"Anything underneath the mats will be killed," said Brad Bedford, a scientist at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Fort Piece, who went on the dive. "We're seeing these blooms up and down the coast. We could be approaching a tipping point where we go from coral-dominated to algae-dominated."
First detected about two weeks ago, the algae joins a growing list of threats to the long-suffering reefs off southeast Florida. As the northern fringes of the only coral reefs in the continental United States, the reefs off Palm Beach and Broward counties are important to the environment and economy. They provide habitat for fish, sponges, crabs and a huge diversity of marine species, and they draw thousands of visitors for diving, snorkeling and fishing.
Eleven divers from five boats collected samples of algae and water and surveyed the ocean floor.
They tentatively established the algae's range as stretching from Delray Beach to just south of the Boca Raton Inlet, said Ed Tichenor, director of Palm Beach County Reef Rescue, which organized the dives. Surveys in northern Broward County didn't find the algae.
Scientists will analyze the samples for the presence of nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, which foster algae growth. Among the usual suspects for sending such nutrients onto the reefs are outfall pipes that discharge sewage into the ocean and stormwater runoff carrying fertilizers and other chemicals from cities and farms.
Stephen Webster, spokesman for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, said the department was aware of the outbreak and would send its own divers to investigate.
"We are concerned," he said. "We've seen some of the photos. The health of the reef is a deep concern of the department."
Jeff Torode, a dive shop operator who participated in the dives Thursday, said the state should take immediate steps to end pollution from sources such as sewage outfall pipes.
"We just seem to keep studying and keep studying," he said.
David Fleshler can be reached at dfleshler@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4535.
note: removed the ad -cbulla[/FONT]
Scientists hunt for cause of algae bloom damaging S. Florida's coral reefs[/FONT] [/FONT]http://www.scubaboard.com/ http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/trb....inelcom;pos=1;sz=160x600;tile=1;ord=31210990?
[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica]By David Fleshler
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
March 30, 2007
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica]Divers went into the waters off southern Palm Beach and northern Broward counties Thursday to gather samples of a densely matted algae that's invading and smothering coral reefs.
Resembling thick moss, the algae Cladaphora liniformis blocks sunlight, depletes oxygen and takes up space that could otherwise be used by young corals.
"Anything underneath the mats will be killed," said Brad Bedford, a scientist at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Fort Piece, who went on the dive. "We're seeing these blooms up and down the coast. We could be approaching a tipping point where we go from coral-dominated to algae-dominated."
First detected about two weeks ago, the algae joins a growing list of threats to the long-suffering reefs off southeast Florida. As the northern fringes of the only coral reefs in the continental United States, the reefs off Palm Beach and Broward counties are important to the environment and economy. They provide habitat for fish, sponges, crabs and a huge diversity of marine species, and they draw thousands of visitors for diving, snorkeling and fishing.
Eleven divers from five boats collected samples of algae and water and surveyed the ocean floor.
They tentatively established the algae's range as stretching from Delray Beach to just south of the Boca Raton Inlet, said Ed Tichenor, director of Palm Beach County Reef Rescue, which organized the dives. Surveys in northern Broward County didn't find the algae.
Scientists will analyze the samples for the presence of nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, which foster algae growth. Among the usual suspects for sending such nutrients onto the reefs are outfall pipes that discharge sewage into the ocean and stormwater runoff carrying fertilizers and other chemicals from cities and farms.
Stephen Webster, spokesman for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, said the department was aware of the outbreak and would send its own divers to investigate.
"We are concerned," he said. "We've seen some of the photos. The health of the reef is a deep concern of the department."
Jeff Torode, a dive shop operator who participated in the dives Thursday, said the state should take immediate steps to end pollution from sources such as sewage outfall pipes.
"We just seem to keep studying and keep studying," he said.
David Fleshler can be reached at dfleshler@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4535.
note: removed the ad -cbulla[/FONT]
