"Every summer, the same devastating story repeats across America: lakes that families have cherished for generations suddenly turn toxic green. Half a million people in Toledo lose their drinking water when Lake Erie blooms with poison algae. Or, Florida's red tide costs the state billions in lost tourism. But some of the most damaged bodies of water in America are getting a cleanup."
"When phosphorus from fertilizers and runoff enters our waters, it acts like Miracle-Gro for algae, creating massive blooms that choke aquatic life and produce toxins that cause liver damage, neurological problems, and even death. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency assessments show the number of overly productive lakes with poor water quality is increasing. Harmful algal blooms are becoming more frequent and intense."
Every summer lakes across America turn toxic green due to phosphorus-fueled algal blooms. Half a million people lost drinking water in Toledo during a Lake Erie bloom, and Florida’s red tide costs billions in lost tourism. Restoration work has returned 1.4 million acres of polluted lakes and wetlands, reduced harmful phosphorus by 42%, and protected $300 million in annual tourism revenue at Moses Lake, Washington. Phosphorus from fertilizers and grass clippings acts like Miracle-Gro for algae; a bushel of clippings can contain about 0.1 pound of phosphorus and produce up to 50 pounds of algae. Treating a lake requires comprehensive assessment, community engagement, and multi-year management programs. Warming waters from climate change favor cyanobacteria and are increasing bloom frequency and intensity.
Read at Earth911
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]