Florida Algal Bloom Monitoring and Response, Friday, August 26, 2016.
Florida Algal Bloom Update: DEP released the following Florida Algal Bloom report news release at 2:24PM/E Friday, August 26, 2016.
Latest Actions
Florida Algal Bloom Response Summary
Sampling Schedule
“On Aug. 23, DEP surveyed the St. Lucie River, including areas around Lighthouse Pointe, Leighton Park and Roosevelt Bridge and collected samples if algal blooms were present.
The South Florida Water Management District surveyed the St. Lucie Lock S-80 and collected samples if algal blooms were present.
On Aug. 22-24, DEP will be conducting routine water-quality sampling along the Caloosahatchee River between Highway 41 and Shell Point at various locations and will collect samples if algal blooms are present.
On Aug. 22, the South Florida Water Management District surveyed the South Fork of the St. Lucie River and Estuary and collected samples if algal blooms were present.
Sampling Results
To date, a majority of the results continue to indicate low to extremely low levels of toxins. All results are reported to the Florida Department of Health (DOH), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS).
On August 16-17, DEP and FWC staff were deployed to survey and collect samples on the St. Lucie river and estuary and nearshore marine locations. A total of 9 samples were collected.All sample results were non-detect for toxins.
Since May 13, 2016, when the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) first observed an algal bloom on Lake Okeechobee during their routine sampling, DEP and the SFWMD have regularly responded to and sampled observed and reported algal blooms on Lake Okeechobee, in the St. Lucie River and Estuary and the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary.
| Sample Date | Samples Collected By | Samples Analyzed By | Sampling Location (Latitude and Longitude) | Sample Depth (meters) |
Algae ID | Microcystin Toxin (measurement in micrograms per liter) |
| 8/17/2016 | FDEP | FDEP | Martin County St. Lucie River (docks just east of Dyer Pt. Rd.) (-80.2676254, 27.2014) |
0.3 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/17/2016 | FDEP | FDEP | Martin County St. Lucie River (Central Marine) (-80.2551, 27.2154) |
0.3 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/17/2016 | FDEP | FDEP | Martin County St. Lucie River (Lighthouse Point canal) (-80.2727, 27.2004) |
0.3 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/16/2016 | FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | Martin County Ft. Pierce Inlet Beach (N 27° 28.165′, W -80° 17.425′) |
0.5 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/16/2016 | FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | Martin County Blind Creek Beach North (N 27° 22.729′, W -80° 15.204′) |
0.5 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/16/2016 | FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | St. Lucie County Jensen Beach (N 27° 15.214′, W -80° 11.695′) |
0.5 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/16/2016 | FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | St. Lucie County Bathtub Beach (N 27° 11.222′, W -80° 09.625′) |
0.5 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/16/2016 | FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | St. Lucie County Hobe Sound Beach (N 27° 04.006′, W -80° 06.884′) |
0.5 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/16/2016 | FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | Palm Beach County Coral Cove (N 26° 57.853′, W -80° 04.704′) |
0.5 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/16/2016 (156) |
SFWMD | FDEP | Martin County C44S80 (-80.2853, 27.1104) |
0.3 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/15/2016 (155) |
FDEP | FDEP | Martin County St. Lucie River (Central Marine) (-80.2551, 27.2154) |
0.3 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/15/2016 (154) |
FDEP | FDEP | Martin County St. Lucie River (Leighton Park) (-80.2627, 27.1725) |
0.3 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/15/2016 (153) |
FDEP | FDEP | Martin County St. Lucie River (Loggerhead Marina) (-80.2562, 27.212) |
0.3 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/10/2016 (152) |
FDEP | FDEP | Brevard County Indian River Lagoon, Port St. John boat ramp (, ) |
0.3 | not collected | not detected |
| 8/10/2016 (151) |
SFWMD | FDEP | Palm Beach County C51S155 (N 26° 38′ 41.2000″, W -80° 03′ 17.9800″) |
0.25 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/10/2016 (150) |
SFWMD | FDEP | Palm Beach County Lake Clarke Shores (N 26° 38′ 58.8″, W -80° 04′ 27.2″) |
0.25 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/10/2016 (149) |
FDEP | FDEP | Martin County S. Fork St. Lucie River – Central Marine (N 27° 12′ 55.0332″, W -80° 15′ 18.6444″) |
0.3 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/10/2016 (148) |
FDEP | FDEP | Martin County S. Fork St. Lucie River – Leighton Park (N 27° 10′ 20.9028″, W -80° 15′ 46.1808″) |
0.3 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/9/2016 (147) |
SFWMD | FDEP | Martin County C44 S80, St. Lucie Canal (N 27° 6′ 37.442″, W -80° 17′ 7.095″) |
0.3 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | 2.3 I |
| 8/9/2016 (146) |
FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | Martin County Ft. Pierce Inlet Beach (N 27° 28.165′, W -80° 17.425′) |
0.5 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/9/2016 (145) |
FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | Martin County Blind Creek Beach North (N 27° 22.729′, W -80° 15.204′) |
0.5 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/9/2016 (144) |
FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | St. Lucie County Jensen Beach (N 27° 15.214′, W -80° 11.695′) |
0.5 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/9/2016 (143) |
FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | St. Lucie County Bathtub Beach (N 27° 11.222′, W -80° 09.625′) |
0.5 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/9/2016 (142) |
FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | St. Lucie County Hobe Sound Beach (N 27° 04.006′, W -80° 06.884′) |
0.5 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/9/2016 (141) |
FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | Palm Beach County Coral Cove (N 26° 57.853′, W -80° 04.704′) |
0.5 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/4/2016 (140) |
Lee County | FDEP | Lee County Caloosahatchee River – Franklin Locks Upstream (N 26° 43′ 16.2120″, W -81° 41′ 35.8080″) |
0.3m | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/4/2016 (139) |
Lee County | FDEP | Lee County Caloosahatchee River – Alva Boat Ramp (N 26° 42′ 49.3920″, W -81° 36′ 21.5640″) |
0.3m | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/3/2016 (138) |
SFWMD | FDEP | Palm Beach County Lake Okeechobee L006 (N 26° 49′ 18.3300″, W -80° 47′ 0.3000″) |
0.3m | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/3/2016 (137) |
FDEP | FDEP | Martin County St. Lucie S. Fork – Near Stuart Landing Marina (N 27° 9′ 54.000″, W -80° 15′ 7.200″) |
0.3m | Dominant taxon:Microcystis aeruginosa | 2.4 I |
| 8/2/2016 (136) |
FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | Martin County Ft. Pierce Inlet Beach (N 27° 28.165′, W -80° 17.425′) |
0.5 m | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/2/2016 (135) |
FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | Martin County Blind Creek Beach North (N 27° 22.729′, W -80° 15.204′) |
0.5 m | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/2/2016 (134) |
FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | St. Lucie County Jensen Beach (N 27° 15.214′, W -80° 11.695′) |
0.5 m | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/2/2016 (133) |
FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | St. Lucie County Bathtub Beach (N 27° 11.222′, W -80° 09.625′) |
0.5 m | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/2/2016 (132) |
FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | St. Lucie County Hobe Sound Beach (N 27° 04.006′, W -80° 06.884′) |
0.5 m | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/2/2016 (131) |
FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | Palm Beach County Coral Cove (N 26° 57.853′, W -80° 04.704′) |
0.5 m | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/2/2016 (130) |
FWC | FWRI – algal ID; FDEP -toxins | St. Lucie County Waveland Beach (N 27° 16.528′, W -80° 12.317′) |
0.5 m | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/2/2016 (129) |
FDEP | FDEP | Indian River County Oslo Road boat ramp (N 27° 35′ 12.048″, W -80° 21′ 54.7121″) |
0.3 | Dinoflagellate dominant, pending id confirmation from FWC | not detected |
| 8/2/2016 (128) |
SFWMD | FDEP | Martin County Upstream of St. Lucie Lock C44S80 (N 27° 6′ 37″, W -80° 17′ 7″) |
0.3 | mixed algae; no dominant species in sample | not detected |
| 8/2/2016 (127) |
SFWMD | FDEP | Palm Beach County LZ40 (N 26° 54′ 6.27″, W -80° 47′ 21.28″) |
0.3 | Dominant taxon:Microcystis aeruginosa | 13 |
| 8/1/2016 (126) |
SFWMD | FDEP | Martin County S308C (N 26° 59′ 5.61″, W -80° 37′ 12.14″) |
0.3 | Dominant taxon:Planktolyngbya limnetica | not detected |
| 8/1/2016 (125) |
FDEP | FDEP | Indian River County Pebble Bay-Vero Beach (N 27° 40′ 33.900″, W -80° 22′ 0.1560″) |
0.3 | Dominant taxon:Scrippsiella trochoidea | not detected |
| 8/1/2016 (124) |
FDEP | FDEP | Martin County Downstream of St. Lucie Lock (C44S80) (N 27° 6′ 42″, W -80° 17′ 6″) |
0.2 | Dominant taxon:Microcystis aeruginosa | 32 |
| I – Reported value is between the laboratory method detection limit and the laboratory practical quantitation limit | ||||||
| J – Estimated value and/or the analysis did not meet established quality control criteria. | ||||||
Previous Sampling Results
Health Effects
DOH takes the lead in determining if a HAB presents a risk to human health. DOH issues health advisories as they determine to be appropriate when toxicity levels are higher and may also post warning signs when Florida Algal blooms affect public beaches or other areas where there is the risk of human exposure. These actions are typically directed out of local county health departments, most often in consultation with staff from DOH’s Aquatic Toxins Program. The World Health Organization considers levels under 10 micrograms/liter to represent a low-level risk for adverse health outcomes from short-term recreational exposures; however, certain sensitive populations (e.g., children, the elderly and immunocompromised populations) may still be at risk even at low concentrations and should avoid any exposure.
DOH also follows up on reports of pets that may have been exposed to a bloom, since these events may predict potential human health threats.”
Who to Contact
The state’s bloom response team encourages residents to report algal blooms so that we can respond quickly and effectively.
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects and analyzes algal bloom samples.
- To report a bloom, call the toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903 or report online atwww.reportalgalbloom.com.
- Freshwater Algal Bloom Frequently Asked Questions
- Florida Department of Health issues health advisories when toxin levels present a risk to human health.
- To report illnesses or symptoms, contact the Florida Poison Control Center at
1-800-222-1222. - Florida Department of Health Blue-Green Algae Frequently Asked Questions
- For information on health advisories, contact your local county health department.
- To report illnesses or symptoms, contact the Florida Poison Control Center at
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) responds to reported fish kills and collects algae samples at nearshore sites.
- To report a fish kill, contact the Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511.
- To report any other wildlife injuries, call FWC’s Wildlife Alert at 1-888-404-3922.
- County governments issue public beach closures. For more information, contact:
- Martin County: 772-320-3112
- St. Lucie County: 772-229-2850
- Palm Beach County
- North Palm Beach County (Juno Beach and north): 561-624-0065
- South Palm Beach County (Riviera Beach and south): 561-629-8775
- Lee County
- State park beach closures
Health Effects
The World Health Organization considers levels under 10 micrograms/liter to represent a low-level risk for adverse health outcomes from short-term recreational exposures; however, certain sensitive populations (e.g., children, the elderly and immunocompromised populations) may still be at risk even at low concentrations and should avoid any exposure.
DOH takes the lead in determining if a HAB presents a risk to human health. DOH issues health advisories as they determine to be appropriate when toxicity levels are higher and may also post warning signs when blooms affect public beaches or other areas where there is the risk of human exposure. These actions are typically directed out of local county health departments, most often in consultation with staff from DOH’s staff from Public Health Toxicology Section. DOH also follows up on reports of pets that may have been exposed to a bloom, since these events may predict potential human health threats.”