SCCF is tracking blue-green algae blooms to combat toxic bacteria

Satellite images of Lake Okeechobee show how concentrated and where blue-green algae blooms are occurring on the lake. By tracking the algae blooms over time, the data shows how a bloom moves, grows and dies.

The Caloosahatchee Estuary is a bit more difficult because of the size difference in the bodies of water.

The Caloosahatchee Estuary is 27 miles long, transitioning from freshwater to brackish to salt, and stretches from the Franklin Lock to Shell Point. Just as the water flows through the estuary, so does the blue-green algae.

That’s why Eric Milbrandt and other researchers from the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation team are working to track toxic algae blooms.

“We’re really interested in the fate of the Bloom, not only when it’s in its most strong growth phase but also as it moves through the estuary,” said Milbrandt.

Blue-green algae or cyanobacteria, don’t fare well in saltwater, tending to be a freshwater bloom.

“So we want to understand how that impacts the estuary, whether it’s releasing nutrients and toxins, whether it’s still producing toxins as it starts to senesce and die,” said Milbrandt. “Eventually, it’ll sink, which causes decomposition processes, using up oxygen and potentially causing problems for fish.”