Florida DOH advisory warns of toxic algal bloom in Blue Cypress Lake, Indian River County
A toxic algae bloom in Blue Cypress Lake prompted a May 22 health advisory warning people to avoid contact with the water.
Cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae, was detected in the center of the lake on May 15 — seven days before the Florida Department of Health issued a public health advisory.
The level of the toxin microcystin was 0.86, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The toxin is harmful to people, pets and wildlife to touch, ingest or inhale when the level is 8 parts per billion, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. None of that information was included in the DOH health advisory.
It's the second such advisory in as many days. Potentially toxic algae was found in a canal on the Martin County side of Lake Okeechobee near Port Mayaca, state officials warned in a May 21 health advisory. DEP is awaiting test results to determine whether the algae is toxic.
Blue Cypress Lake has experienced toxic algae outbreaks in previous years, including 2018 and 2016. Biosolids were suspected of causing the latter. Pressley Ranch, which lies southwest of the lake, had spread partially treated human sewage sludge over 3,059 acres of pastureland to help grow Bahia grass for cattle grazing.
Toxic algae is most common in the hotter, wetter, summer months. Blooms can appear as scum, foam or paint on the surface of the water in various colors.
Some environmental factors that contribute to blooms are sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions, and excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. They come predominately from agricultural runoff but also urban development. Blooms can appear year-round, but are more frequent in summer and fall.
Toxins can be harmful to the ecosystem, including fish and other aquatic animals, as well as people. Children, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised may be at risk even at low concentrations, DOH stated.
Blue Cypress Lake: Is phosphorus pollution from Pressley Ranch's biosolids?
Algae advisory: Florida DOH warns of algae in Martin County on C-44 Canal side of Lake Okeechobee
The DOH advises residents and visitors to take these precautions:
Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.
Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.
Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.
Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
Report a bloom to DEP online or via its toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903.
Report fish kills to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 800-636-0511.
Tim O'Hara is TCPalm's environment reporter. Contact him at tim.ohara@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida DOH advisory warns of toxic algal bloom in Blue Cypress Lake
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