Print this page
Email this page
Photos: Florida Nutrient Pollution and Algae Blooms
At A Glance
In July 2008, Earthjustice filed a lawsuit challenging a decade-long delay by the state and federal government in setting limits for nutrient pollution. 13 months later, the Obama administration agreed to set legal limits for the nutrient poisoning.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Florida Wildlife Federation, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, St. John's Riverkeeper, and the Sierra Club.
Other Related Content
Nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen poison Florida's waters during each rainfall, running off agricultural operations, fertilized landscapes, and septic systems.
The poison runoff triggers algae outbreaks, which foul Florida's beaches, lakes, rivers, and springs in increasing quantities each year, threatening public health, closing swimming areas, and even shutting down a southwest Florida drinking water plant serving 30,000 people.
The images below document the harmful algae blooms in Florida waters triggered by the nutrient runoff.
Anabaena algae bloom in Caloosahatchee River at Franklin Lock, June 17, 2008. (Photo courtesy of John Cassani.)
Leon County's Lake Munson update. Testing for the toxicity of the blue green algae, October 2007. (Accessible at Leon County website.)
Arlington Boat Ramp off of University Blvd. in Jacksonville during 2005 St. Johns River Bloom Event. (Photo courtesy of Neil Armingeon, St. Johns Riverkeeper.)
Microcystis bloom in Caloosahatchee River at Olga, Florida approximately a mile and a half west of the Franklin Lock, south side of the river, October 14, 2005. (Photo courtesy of Richard Solveson.)
Anabaena Algae Bloom in Caloosahatchee River at Franklin Lock showing Olga Water Treatment Plant, June 17, 2008. (Photo courtesy of John Cassani.)