Page 8 - Abacoa Community News - August '22

Page 8, Abacoa
Northern Notes

Algae In The Waterways And How that are responsible for fueling nuisance plant and algae of excess nutrients and bacteria. Don’t throw pet waste

You Can Minimize Its Growth growth. Ask your lawn care company to remove grass bags into lakes and canals. They will eventually break
clippings and leaves to prevent decomposition in or around down and release those toxins into the waterway.
By Katie Roundtree, ponds and lakes. NPDES tip: Do not burn any trash in your yards, and
Director of Finance and Pick up and dispose of pet waste, a common source don’t dump any debris into lakes and canals.
Administration, Northern
Palm Beach County
Improvement District Safety Tips From Professional Firefighters/
The term “algae” is
generally used to refer to Paramedics Of Palm Beach County
a wide variety of different
and dissimilar photosynthetic
organisms, generally As we move closer into the heart of hurricane season and Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
microscopic. Depending on the months of strong afternoon thunderstorms, we all need reports that over half of all flood-related deaths occur when a
the species, algae can inhabit to be aware of the dangers that local flooding can create. vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. It only takes 18
fresh or salt water. In modern taxonomic systems, algae Even relatively minor flooding or pooling of water on our inches of water to carry away most vehicles, including SUVs.
are usually assigned to one of six divisions. The misnamed roadways can be deceiving in the depth of standing water or Pooling water in neighborhood swales can look very
blue-green algae are often grouped with algae because of the force of moving water. If you are walking or driving in inviting to children, and the first thought is to want to play in
the chloroplasts contained within the cells. However, these an area that you are not familiar with, you may not be aware it. Please keep in mind, however, that the standing water is
organisms are actually photosynthetic bacteria assigned to the of the normal landscape and therefore not know if there is typically full of contaminants from lawn fertilizer, weed killer,
group cyanobacteria. typically water in that location. pet feces and anything else that may have been washed out of
Fresh-water algae, also called phytoplankton, vary in shape The best practice is to not walk into water if you are even the neighbors’ yards. This can be a significant health hazard if
and color, and are found in a large range of habitats, such slightly unsure about how deep it is. A mere 6 inches of fast- the water is ingested, splashed in the eyes, or enters the ears
as ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and streams. They are a natural moving water can knock over and carry away an adult. and nose or an open cut or sore.
and essential part of the ecosystem. In these habitats, the Use extreme caution if you inadvertently drive into a Please remember these tips to help keep you and your
phytoplankton are the base of the aquatic food chain. Small flooded area. High levels of standing water can make it family safe and healthy.
fresh-water crustaceans and other small animals consume the difficult to tell the difference between where the standing Steen Eriksson, Community Relations,
phytoplankton and in turn are consumed by larger animals. water, and pavement ends, and the canal or retention pond Professional Firefighters/Paramedics
Under certain conditions, several species of true algae as well begins. A car can sink very quickly, and if not witnessed, of Palm Beach County,
as the cyanobacteria are capable of causing various nuisance may not be seen until the water recedes. IAFF Local 2928 HOAN@iaff2928.com
effects in fresh water, such as excessive accumulations of foams,
scums, and discoloration of the water. When the numbers of
algae in a lake or a river increase explosively, an algal “bloom” LET ME HELP YOU KNOW JESUS
is the result. Lakes, ponds, and slow-moving canals are most
susceptible to blooms.
Algal blooms are
natural occurrences, and
may occur with regularity Author:
(e.g., every summer), The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
depending on weather
and water conditions.
The likelihood of a 572 Prophecies 1500 Pages
bloom depends on local 54,000 Lines
conditions and characteristics of the particular body of water.
Blooms generally occur where there are high levels of nutrients 9 Books on God’s Prophecies
present, together with the occurrence of warm, sunny, calm
conditions. However, human activity often can trigger or
accelerate algal blooms. Natural sources of nutrients such
as phosphorus or nitrogen compounds can be supplemented
by a variety of human activities. For example, in rural areas, MORE INFORMATION e-mail
agricultural runoff from fields can wash fertilizers into the water.
In urban areas, nutrient sources can cause stormwater runoff that Q15481a@iCloud.com
carries pollutants such as lawn fertilizers.
Algae growth depends on weather patterns, temperature,
and nutrients in the water. While blooms happen naturally,
an imbalance of phosphorus and nitrogen, in particular, can
accelerate an algal bloom’s growth significantly. Pollutants
from construction runoff, fertilized yards and golf courses, road Please Vote for JANE JUSTICE for
wash, stormwater runoff, pet waste, and decomposing leaves,
grass clippings, and other organic materials also contribute to State Representative in the Republican Primary on
nutrient imbalances in the water. or before August 23rd- the Choice is Clear!
Higher temperatures and increased sunlight in summer
months also can encourage algae blooms, as does standing
water, which is warmer than circulating water and can act like JANE JUSTICE - For Us Opponent - Against Us
an incubator – another significant influence.
Algae doesn’t necessarily mean poor water quality, but it 4 Unapologetically Pro-DeSantis X CENSURED by Republican Party
can be a problem. So, what’s the key to reducing algae on your and America First for endorsing a RADICAL
lake? The most effective thing to do is reduce the number of 4 Goals: • provide school choice • protect DEMOCRAT over a
algae-feeding nutrients, especially phosphorus, that make it into parental rights • reduce gas prices • reduce conservative Republican i
the water. Here are some tips to keep your lake in tip-top shape. X CRITICIZED Governor DeSantis’
Be Careful With Fertilizer inflation • stop overspending • protect our ban on mask mandates ii
Sure, you want a nice green lawn and healthy plants – borders • promote election integrity X SUPPORTED RADICAL
but that fertilizer you spread in your garden also encourages • increase homestead exemption for TEACHER UNIONS against
algae to bloom. It’s best to avoid fertilizer altogether if seniors • clean up water supply • protect coastal waters • reduce parents and children on mask
you’re close to a water source – plant native plants instead, beach erosion • reduce crime by Backing the Blue mandates iii
which are well-adapted to the environment and don’t require X BRAGGED about extravagantly spending your hard-earned
special maintenance. Implement landscaping strategies, like 4 ELECTED and RESPECTED Republican Executive Committee tax dollars iv
xeriscaping, that increase groundwater filtration before water member X VETOED by DeSantis for spending on pork projects v
enters the pond or lake. 4 Courageous when standing up for what is right X BANKROLLED by Dark Money and Disney PACs vi
If you must fertilize, try and find a phosphorus-free product, 4 Reliable supporter of 2A, the unborn and religious freedom X ABANDONED his Delray seat and gave it to a Democrat vii
and reduce nutrient rich runoff by applying it when there’s no 4 Generous with time and money for Republicans and charities X BULLIED North Palm Beach over his lawn signs, using his leftist
rain in the forecast. 4 Hardworking small business owner and lawyer viii
And don’t think natural fertilizer like manure or compost X NEVER donated to DeSantis, Trump, Rubio, Scott, Mast or West ix
is any better than a chemical version, anything that’s going to licensed Realtor i https://floridianpress.com/2022/02/republicans-censure-house-rep-mike-caruso-over-democratic-endorsement/
make your garden plants grow is going to make algae grow as 4 Devoted to her faith, her family, the i https://floridapolitics.com/archives/497185-palm-beach-republicans-censure-mike-caruso-over-endorsement-flap/
well, it’s best to avoid fertilizers generally. Constitution and the conservative values ii https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/republican-state-representative-calls-on-gov-desantis-to-issue-statewide-mask-mandate-in-florida/
iii https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/republican-state-representative-calls-on-gov-desantis-to-issue-statewide-mask-mandate-in-florida/
Properly Dispose Of Organic Materials of the Republican Party iv https://twitter.com/RepMikeCaruso/status/1532779625880895488/photo/1
Following yard work, leaves, grass and other debris 4 Consistent full-time resident of Palm v https://floridapolitics.com/archives/433179-desantis-vetoes-3m-stormwater-runoff-palm-beach/
vi https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/campaign-finance/contributions/ https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/cgi-bin/contrib.exe
should be bagged and removed from the property to prevent Beach County for over 24 years vii https://floridapolitics.com/archives/491276-mike-caruso-moving-north-to-newly-configured-house-district-87/
viii https://pbcjolt.com/caruso-fights-for-constitution-against-florida-town-and-wins/
them from accumulating and decaying in the waterbody. ix https://www.fec.gov/ https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/campaign-finance/contributions/
When organic materials are allowed to decompose in Paid for and approved by Jane Justice, Republican, for Florida House of Representatives, District 87.
freshwater resources, they release undesirable nutrients