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Dead Zone

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/28/2003 : 18:41:23

Over the next few weeks I'll give some reports of things which happened on my trip to the Keys in February.

I hope this one isn't too depressing.

In the Keys you have the "Oceanside" and "Bayside" sides of the Keys.

On the Bayside of the keys is Florida Bay. The pollution from South Florida, agricultural run off, sewage, etc. has caused the water to have an algal bloom (green slime) and who knows what other toxins which has killed ALL life. This area is in the relatively still water which doesn't get flushed out by tidal action and fresh flows from the ocean from the tide changes. I have read about this before, but this is the first time I have experienced it. It has been called the "Dead Zone". I believe it.

These are areas which used to be a breeding ground for shrimp, fish, lobster etc. Now dead.

So when I advocate for clean water and air I get really upset when I'm labeled a tree huggin, dope smokin hippie.

My next report will be really upbeat, I promise.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

Carl B.
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2003 : 21:12:32

If only more people cared<img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>!!!

"OBLIVIOUS" C25 '82 #3098 SR/FK/Trad

Edited by - on

eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2003 : 21:32:19

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They ruined paradise
And made it a lethal spot

(Apologies to Joni Mitchell)

Eric Werkowitz
C25 #4969

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2003 : 21:43:37

"So when I advocate for clean water and air I get really upset when I'm labeled a tree huggin, dope smokin hippie."

Frank,

How can anyone ever consider you a "tree huggin, dope smokin hippie" when you just towed your boat with your full size 4wd Chevy truck for 2,000 miles at 10mpg? If anything, you are now on the tree huggin', dope smokin' hippie's 10 most wanted list.

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2003 : 12:26:40

If what you saw was a "Red Tide" then it wasn't caused by pollution, but an organism in the water.

This is from the FAQ's at the Florida Marine Research Institute.

What is a Florida red tide?

A red tide is a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga (plant-like organisms). In Florida, the species that causes most red tides is Karenia brevis (K. brevis). This organism produces a toxin that can affect the central nervous system of fish. At high concentrations (called a bloom), the organisms may discolor the water. However, red tides are not always red. They can appear greenish, brownish, and even purple in color, or the water can remain its normal color.

Do red tides occur anywhere else?

Yes. Although the organism that causes Florida’s red tide is found almost exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico, blooms have been found off the east coast of Florida, and a bloom was detected off the coast of North Carolina in 1987. Scientists believe the Florida Current and Gulf Stream Current carried K. brevis out of the Gulf of Mexico, around south Florida, and up to the Carolina coast. Other types of microorganisms cause different kinds of red tides (now called harmful algal blooms) in other parts of the world as well.

Is red tide a new phenomenon?

No. Red tides have been recorded in Florida since 1530 when Nunez de Vaca, a Spanish explorer, wrote about Indians who told him of fish kills in the area around Tampa Bay.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2003 : 13:26:29

If what you saw was a "Red Tide" then it wasn't caused by pollution, but an organism in the water. - Don Lucier

If I'm not mistaken, it was "red tide" that infected the oyster beds on the Texas & Louisiana gulf coast a couple of years ago ... it was impossible to find any oysters on the half shell. Some restaurants imported the smaller oysters from the west coast, but they were expensive and hard to find ... besides, we're used to our big, snotty gulf oysters down here ... 'can't beat 'em!

I don't know what makes red tide go away ... does anyone? The oyster beds seem to be fine now.

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

Edited by - on

eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2003 : 15:23:45

I don't think red tide kills oysters, but they concentrate the toxin making it a health hazard to eat them until the tide passes and the toxin is flushed from the shell fish. We've had several occurences in Choctawhatchee Bay since I've been here. Certain fish types are very sensitive to the toxin. Gar and puffer fish seems to die first. The last big one we had along the Gulf coast several years ago killed 160 or so dolphins from respiratory infections.

There is some speculation that agricultural run-off can stimulate the blooms. I believe there is evidence that the blooms have increased in frequency in the last 20 years or so.

Eric Werkowitz
C25 #4969

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2003 : 15:29:07

What I saw was not red tide. I grew up in Miami and know what red tide looks like.

This was green slime colored water caused by the increased nutrients in the water from agricultural runoff and sewage from south Florida feeding green algae. The green algae actually saps the water of oxygen.

I also snorkeled on some reefs which were alive in the late 60's early 70's (I know because I dove them then) and now they are completely dead. The corals are dead and covered with silt and slime.

Yes, I guesse I am not a true tree hugger as I did drive my truck and pull the boat and only got 10 mpg. I promise I'll call Scotty next time.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2003 : 21:09:59

As the green slime sucks all the O2 from the water the green stuff dies and then the anaerobic oranisms move in to feed on the dead green stuff and their by-products are toxins. Once the PH has become too acid then no amount of new O2 introduced into the system can reverse the affect.

Many of Florida's lakes are dying, including it's largest Lake Okachobee.<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

Safe voyages,
Ben, FL s/v Chick-a-pea C250wk
<img src="http://www.members.aol.com:/benraye/pictures/fullsail.jpg" border=0>

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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 13:22:51

From what I've heard, "red tide" is a misnomer. It's not always red. Seems to happen in Puget Sound with warmer temps of summer (Not every summer. Some of our summers don't get warm. <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>) Goes away when things cool down in the fall. Doesn't kill shellfish up here, just makes 'em toxic. Butter clams can hold the toxin for up to a year after the red tide. OK, too much info...

John Mason
<img src="http://www.users.qwest.net/~jamason/ali.jpg" border=0>
pronounced "Ali Paroosa"
1982 - FK/SR #3290

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 16:57:01

Ben,

That was a great explaination. I did not know about the anaerobic organisms. Isn't pollution great?

Have you seen the Dead Zone yourself? I was considering making the passage along the south end of Florida Bay, from bouy #1 by islamorada to the west coast of Florida. But if the whole trip will be through the Dead Zone, I think I'll pass.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2003 : 07:27:26

We are called to be stewards of creation. Pollution works toward destroying what we have, and is not an action of good stewardship. As sailors we appreciate the beauty of water and land and can and should be upset when we encounter pollution destroyed places. It's sad and our society needs to learn and understand the consequences of their actions.

While a sad story Frank, thanks for sharing it with us.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

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