What is happening in the sea off America?
'Dive instructor Michael Miller took underwater video to try to figure
out the mystery. "Right now, anywhere we go from shore to 20 miles
offshore, from Sarasota to Tarpon Springs, we can't find a single
creature alive on the bottom right now," said Miller.
Miller says he's never seen such death and devastation under water in
his 20 years of diving.'
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| User: "Su Zanadu" |
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| Title: Re: What is happening off coast? |
13 Aug 2005 09:12:06 AM |
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The St. Johns River feeds into the ocean. I wouldn't eat that fish and
shrimp if I were you.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/topstories/news-article.aspx?storyid=42333
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The Florida Health Department has issued a health
alert for the St. Johns River. The alert stretches three counties.
The St. Johns Water Management District has tested the water for toxins
resulting from the blue-green algae bloom. The test results show high
concentrations of toxin.
The bloom affects the river in Duval, Clay and St. Johns Counties. High
temperatures and fertilizer runoff are partly to blame.
The Health Department tells First Coast News boaters should be fine, but
they don't want people swimming in the river.
Duval County's Health Department Director, Dr. Jeff Goldhagen says the
toxin can be most dangerous for children.
"Children are especially at risk because of their size, and we want
families to take special precautions with their children."
Health effects can occur when surface scum or water containing high
levels of blue-green algae toxins are swallowed, through contact with
the skin or when airborne droplets containing high levels of toxins are
inhaled while swimming. Direct contact can cause irritation of the skin,
eyes, nose and throat and inflammation in the respiratory tract.
The Health Department recommends staying out of the river for
recreational use throughout the weekend. Also, be sure to keep your pets
away from the shoreline so they don't eat the algae.
Livestock and pet deaths have occurred when animals consume large
amounts of accumulated algae scum from along shorelines.
The River Water management District will re-test the affected areas
Monday
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