Is a rapidly spreading blue algae outbreak serious?There's one in Florida. There's also a possible large fishkill.

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Rapidly growing blue algae outbreak in Florida

Can anyone explain what blue algae is, what causes an outbreak and what the health hazards assosicated with it are?

Incident Occurred Date/Time: 01/08/2000 07:00 PM EST

SO has recieved reports from Game and Fish and DOF of a blue algae outbreak in the Red Water Lake in the Ocala National Forest. The lake is located on Hwy 40E at SR 314. County has contacted Health Dept and DOF is placing signs to warn swimmers. The algea is approx 1/4 acre in size at this time.

UPDATE 2105: Ocala National Forest advises that the algae outbreak has grown to approx 1 1/2 acre in size now.(JDP)

Link to stories

http://eoco2.ctcfl.com/

-- Carl Jenkins (Somewherepress@aol.com), January 09, 2000

Answers

The Navy has been researching genetically altered blue algae at a research base in Florida in conjunction with the University of Florida marine biology department. My brother in law's friend was a PhD candidate there and worked on the project for a while in the summer of '98. His knowledge of the project is limited to his field of expertise, but he seems to think that they are trying to develop some kind of Amphibious Biological Assault Weapon (ABAW). He did say that the holding tank they are keeping the experimental algae in has a highly complicated system of intake and outake valves allowing flow between the tank and a nearby source of saltwater. Being such sensitive and complicated system, it is obviously completely computer monitored. It is *possible* that a y2k glitch might have leaked this stuff into the environment. I seriously doubt, however, that the Navy will confirm or deny any such y2k computer error, and I really don't think we'll see those smiling Pollies on CNN even report it. I wouldn't go swimming in Florida though, that's for sure. This could be IT folks.

-- Reagan Starblender (nothere@abc.com), January 09, 2000.

I really am hoping that reponse was a satirical post, please tell me it is! If NOT, then we need to get a shrink here quick! Blue Green algae (possibly a genetically enhanced killer strain) that MAY have been released by a non Y2K compliant computer is gonna be the start of all the Y2K turmoil that is gonna bring about the crumble of society and governemnt and make the $20,000 in Spam you purchased a justifiable expense!

PLEASE, tell me this was a prank answer!

-- DAVID (tdavidc@arn.net), January 09, 2000.


I used to live on the Southern edge of the Ocala forest...interesting place. Blue-green algi tends to grow in large amounts in tepid/warm water...usually it just forms along the banks but a large growth due to warmer than usual weather can kill a pond because it takes the oxygen. Nothing real unusual.

Red algi sometimes causes large fish kills in the ocean due to the fact that it's toxic. Called a 'Red Tide' methinks...

As far as the Navy and experiments..who knows? They have worked on something [algi or bacteria] to eat oilspills and nuclear wastes...

-- Satanta (EventHoriz@n.com), January 09, 2000.


Is it natural for an algae outbreak to grow from 1/4 acre to 1 and 1/2 acres in 14 hours ( as it did in this instance) ? It's my understanding that algae are often caused by sewage and other industrial pollution in addition to other unrelated causes...anybody know about that area of Florida (Red Water Lake) and what's there, if anything....?

-- (Somewherepress@aol.com), January 09, 2000.

Woe, wish I didn't watch "Body Snatchers" on Encore before I read this thread!

Reagan, update needed. Also, if this is your real name and you are serious, then post for sysops to delete otherwise your brother may get in trouble.

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), January 09, 2000.



This lake is in my back yard and there is NOTHING but forest around it. Not one building that I am aware of. Its a good ways to get back into it from the highway. No one, with any sense, swims in the lakes in the summer due to algae and bacteria as the water warms up into the 80s. But then we have these wonderful pure clean springs that are a constant 72 degrees to swim in. I will see what I can find out about this, but doubt the USN is involved here. Like the rest of the country, we are not having much winter. Got up to 85 day before yesterday. Not exactly normal for Jan, even in this part of Florida. And yes...the Ocala National Forest IS an interesting place to live. I feel like I have one foot in one world and the other in a time past. There are certain areas here when one DOES NOT GO. Its like a clan and you are apt to get shot if you go in there. There are girls who are sexually active at 12, but have never been to school or owned a pair of shoes. Taz

-- Taz (Tassi123@aol.com), January 09, 2000.

Taz: Are you sure you aren't living in Arkansas? Former Arkansas State Representative Paul Van Dalsem once said (paraphrased from speech circa 1969) "uppity" women in Arkansas were easily handled by getting them another cow and keeping them barefoot and pregnant.

Seriously, though. I tried to find some information on the blue algae last night on the web. It became to cumbersome and I gave up. However, there are some interesting sites on red tide, etc. Sorry, didn't bookmark, but they popped up on Yahoo search for algae.

-- Lisa (lisadawn@yahoo.com), January 09, 2000.


Good Mornin' Taz! You just brought back some memories for me of when I lived in Okeechobee. Yep, Florida ain't only Disney, is it? ( My trip's still on for the end of the month, I'll give you a call)

on de rock

-- Walter (on de rock@northrock.bm), January 09, 2000.


You guys are all barking up the wrong tree. The real culprit here is the CHEMtrails that have been changing the weather patterns. This blue-green algae actually thrives on a chemical that is found in jet fuel. Yet another definite sign that we should save our preps.

-- BeerMan (frbeerman@juno.com), January 09, 2000.

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