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Algae blooms covering acres of Old Tampa Bay

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

jpatino@tampatrib.com

Published: June 20, 2009

TAMPA - Environmental scientists have identified large swaths of algae blooms in Old Tampa Bay, from the Howard Frankland Bridge to north of the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

The rusty-red blooms cover acres of the Bay and can be seen during the day, said Richard Boler, an environmental scientist for Hillsborough County's Environmental Protection Commission.

The blooms are caused by nutrients - forms of nitrogen and phosphorus that come from air pollution and runoff containing fertilizers, animal waste and organic material such as leaves and yard clippings, Boler said.

Stormwater runoff, especially from last month's heavy rains, routinely dumps heavy loads of the nutrients into the Hillsborough River and the Bay.

In smaller water bodies, the tainted water can upset oxygen levels to the point that fish and other marine life are at risk. That isn't expected here, however, because Old Tampa Bay is "so large there is better mixing of the water so you don't get areas of depleted oxygen," Boler said.

Boler said this is the second straight year of significant algae blooms in Old Tampa Bay. He said it first was noticed at the beginning of June. He expects it to linger through the summer.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.

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