2023 July - Sept
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July 2023
July 2023: The confirmed toxic planktonic blue-green algae (BGA), Microcystis Aeruginosa, remains visually present within the water column as particulate specs, which appears as green turbid water from farther view within the water column. Shoreline BGA surface streaking and large BGA specs or clumps were documented. These are indicators that BGA is present and growing in large enough quantities to form visible particulate.
The other BGA species Lyngbya Wollei or "black mat algae" is appearing again at the Southern (Entrance) Lobe, as the black clumps and floating mats near the shore. This is the seasonal time frame that species was documented last year. The gray green mats at the shore could also be Lyngbya being sun bleached or, other algae and/or BGA growing around these mats and sticking. Note, there has been little to no rainfall, and therefore, run off.
Tampa Bay Area is in severe drought conditions since at least March 2023. This condition may be contributing to the less intense presence of surface scum BGA at this time. Rainfall events have disturbed these shoreline mats of algae this month, and likely promoted BGA regrowth attempts. It's noted within the photos when these weather events occurred.
For brevity, when the term "BGA" is referenced in the photo notes, it means the long-established "Microcystis Aeruginosa" type, with the bright green paint like appearance.
10 of 31 days (32% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented. This does not include the presence of the likely toxic planktonic algal bloom in the water column creating the green turbid water, which is likely a dominant toxic cyanobacteria type. (Cyanobacteria is commonly considered a planktonic algae type despite being bacteria.)
July 2 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Green turbid water, green filamentous algae mat; gray tone of mats is sun-bleached or dying algae?
July 3 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae stagnant sticky bubbles and gray streaking, shown by red arrows, floating brown leaves, other filamentous algae
Rainfall events brief (~1pm), measured 0.1"
July 3 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup, bright green paint (Microcystis type) mixed with bright olive green hair filament texture (Aphanizomenon type)?, and stagnant BGA bubbles, floating leaves **
July 3 2023
Southeast Lobe - East View
Blue-green algae buildup of the condensed white gray appearance of stagnant BGA bubbles on water's surface and green BGA mixed in (apart of visible BGA life cycle) **
July 4 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe - West View
Blue-green algae buildup, gray dying or weakened stage and BGA stagnant bubbles, floating leaves
July 4 2023
1) Southeast Lobe 9:23 AM
Blue-green algae bright green buildup and streaking; with stagnant bubbles
July 4 2023
2) Southeast Lobe 9:23 AM - East View
Blue-green algae buildup of the condensed white gray appearance of stagnant BGA bubbles on water's surface and green BGA mixed in (apart of visible BGA life cycle)
July 4 2023
3) Southeast Lobe 3:25 PM
Blue-green algae buildup, gray dying or weakened stage and BGA stagnant bubbles, notice change in color from morning photo
July 5 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae faint translucent like streaking and sticky bubbles
Rainfall event total, measured 0.40"
July 5 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe - West View
Blue-green algae bright green build up and sticky bubbles, with gray dying or weakened stage and BGA stagnant bubbles, floating leaves **
July 7 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Green turbid water, other green filamentous algae mat
Rainfall event mid afternoon (~3:47-3:54pm), measured 0.22",
On July 8 2023 trace rain
July 9 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Green turbid water, other green filamentous algae mat
Rainfall event light drizzle (~9:44am-12:09pm), measured 0.10",
Note: On July 10 2023 light rain (~4:12pm-6:26pm), measured 0.54",
On July 11 2023 rain (~12:58pm-1:10pm), measured 0.18"
July 12 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe - West View
Blue-green algae bright green build up and streaking, floating cattail island, and seeding lawn weeds growing along shore (foreground) where water level receded due to drought conditions
Note: On July 13 2023, Rainfall event heavy rain, measured 1.12",
On July 16 2023, Rain event 30 min light rain, measured 0.04"
July 17 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Green turbid water, other green filamentous algae mat; seeding lawn weeds growing along shore (foreground) where water level receded due to drought conditions
Rainfall event evening (~5:57pm-7:42pm), measured 1.20"
July 18 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green streaking and stagnant bubbles; rooted cattail island (left), and seeding lawn weeds growing along shore (foreground) where water level receded due to drought conditions
Rainfall event light rain (~4:57pm-5:40pm), measured 0.40"
July 19 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae faint streaking and stagnant bubbles, green turbid water, some remnants of green filamentous algae mats?, rooted cattail island (left), lawn weeds (foreground)
Rainfall event medium rain (~6:38pm-7:45pm), measured 0.87"
July 20 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae faint translucent like streaking and sticky bubbles; floating grass debris
Rainfall event trace, measured 0.04"
July 21 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Small amounts of other filamentous green algae, small cattail reeds emerging, and seeding lawn weeds growing along shore (foreground) water level has increased and now reaching lawn weeds
July 21 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe - East View
Water level has risen this month from rainfall to reach the growing lawn weeds and small emerging cattail reeds growing (where the water previously receded). 4 large attached rooted cattail islands are present. Again water access and viewing will be blocked if these plants are not controlled and removed.
July 24 2023
Southeast Lobe
Faint blue-green algae gray translucent streaking
On July 23 2023, Rainfall event trace, measured 0.01"
July 25 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Small amounts of other filamentous green algae, small cattail reeds emerging, and seeding lawn weeds growing along shore (foreground); greenish color turbid water
July 26 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Small amounts of other filamentous green algae, small cattail reeds emerging, greenish color turbid water
July 26 2023
1) Southeast Lobe ~7:32 PM
Blue-green algae faint translucent like streaking and sticky bubbles
July 26 2023
2) Southeast Lobe - West View
Blue-green algae faint translucent like streaking and sticky bubbles
July 27 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Small amounts of other filamentous green algae?, small cattail reeds emerging, and seeding lawn weeds growing along shore (foreground); water color obscured by overcast lighting
On July 28 2023, Rainfall event, light rain measured 0.50"
July 30 2023
Southeast Lobe ~7:48 AM
Blue-green algae faint translucent like streaking and sticky bubbles; olive green color water
On July 30 2023, Rainfall event late morning, trace amount
July 30 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Faint Blue-green algae translucent streaking (SW Corner) and small amounts of other filamentous green algae?, small cattail reeds emerging, and seeding lawn weeds growing along shore (foreground); greenish color turbid water
August 2023
August 2023: The confirmed toxic planktonic blue-green algae (BGA), Microcystis Aeruginosa, remains visually present within the water column as particulate specs, which appears as green turbid water from farther view within the water column. Shoreline BGA surface streaking and large BGA specs or clumps were documented. These are indicators that BGA is present and growing in large enough quantities to form visible particulate. The City of St. Petersburg has ceased water quality sampling (including toxin testing) after the beginning of July 2023 despite confirmed cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) dominance in samples and confirmed Microcystin toxin levels.
The gray green algal mats at the shore could also be Lyngbya being sun bleached or, other algae and/or BGA growing around these mats and sticking. Tampa Bay Area is in still in severe drought conditions. Rainfall events have disturbed these shoreline mats of algae this month, and likely promoted BGA regrowth attempts. It's noted within the photos when these weather events occurred.
For brevity, when the term "BGA" is referenced in the photo notes, it means the long-established "Microcystis Aeruginosa" type, with the bright green paint like appearance.
10 of 31 days (32% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented. This does not include the presence of the likely toxic planktonic algal bloom in the water column creating the green turbid water, which is likely a dominant toxic cyanobacteria type. (Cyanobacteria is commonly considered a planktonic algae type despite being bacteria.)
August 1 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Floating mats disturbed due to prior days' rainfall, less visible
On July 31 2023, Rainfall event, measured 0.78"
Rainfall event, measured 1.18"
August 4 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Small amounts of other filamentous green algae?, small cattail reeds emerging, and seeding lawn weeds growing along shore (foreground); green turbid water color
On Aug 2 2023, Rainfall event, measured 0.54"
On Aug 3 2023, Rainfall event, measured 1.25"
August 8 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Small amounts of other filamentous green algae?, small cattail reeds emerging, and seeding lawn weeds growing along shore (foreground); green turbid water color
On Aug 7 2023, Rainfall event, measured 0.90"
August 8 2023 - West Center View
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Considerable emergent cattail growth and rooted cattail island (left) increased size
August 9 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae stagnant sticky bubbles with green and gray streaking, some small floating brown leaves
August 9 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup of the condensed gray appearance of stagnant BGA bubbles on water's surface and green BGA mixed in (apart of visible BGA life cycle) , yellow arrow
August 10 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Small amounts of other filamentous green algae?, small cattail reeds emerging, and seeding lawn weeds growing along shore (foreground); green turbid water color
August 10 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae stagnant sticky bubbles, floating small cattail island
August 12 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Previously growing cattails in area (see Aug 8th photo) removed by group of citizens despite City Stormwater having dedicated budget and resources to perform this service for the lakes they manage
August 12 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae stagnant sticky bubbles; yellow green color water
August 16 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae faint translucent like streaking shown by yellow arrow, trapped in floating vegetation mats; water color obscured by overcast lighting
On Aug 14 2023, Rainfall event, measured 0.01"
August 17 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Unidentified turf weed or aquatic plant growing by shoreline, greenish color water
Rainfall event, measured 0.80"
August 21 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green clumps, denoted by red arrows, stuck in floating vegetation; greenish tint to water, turbid
On Aug 18 2023, Rainfall event, measured 0.60"
August 22 2023
1) Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae stagnant sticky bubbles and gray and green streaking; BGA clumps on surface farther out into water; other floating vegetation closest to shore
On Aug 20 2023, Rainfall event, measured 0.05"
August 22 2023 - View 2
2) Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Close up of the blue-green algae (BGA) clumps floating on surface of water
August 23 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup of the gray and olive green streaking and specs, (apart of visible BGA life cycle); small floating cattail island; floating vegetation nearest to shore
Rainfall event, measured 0.50"
August 24 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae faint translucent like streaking shown by yellow arrow, and bright green BGA specs shown by red arrows, trapped in floating vegetation mats; greenish water color
August 25 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae gray streaking and bubbles; BGA brown gray life cycle stage, shown by red arrows, trapped in floating vegetation mats; greenish turbid water
August 27 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup of the gray and pale olive green solid and translucent streaking (apart of visible BGA life cycle); floating vegetation nearest to shore
On Aug 26 2023, Rainfall event, measured 0.20"
Rainfall event, measured 0.05"
August 29 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Floating vegetation mats; water color obscured by overcast lighting
On Aug 28 2023, Rainfall event, measured 0.03"
Rainfall event, measured 0.17"
August 30 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Floating vegetation mats; some dislodged due to rain and strong south winds from Hurricane Idalia; water color obscured by overcast lighting
Rainfall event, measured 1.77"
On Aug 31 2023, Rainfall event, measured 0.05"
September 2023
September 2023: The confirmed toxic planktonic blue-green algae (BGA), Microcystis Aeruginosa, remains visually present within the water column as particulate specs, which appears as green turbid water from farther view within the water column. Shoreline BGA surface streaking and large BGA specs or clumps were documented. These are indicators that BGA is present and growing in large enough quantities to form visible particulate. After July 2023, City has stopped Water Sampling and Cyanobacteria / BGA Toxin (Microcystin) Testing despite confirmed toxins and BGA presence. This month's photos clearly show the same observed toxic BGA phenomenon present in the water. Two months of data is lost.
The gray green algal mats at the shore could also be Lyngbya being sun bleached or, other algae and/or BGA growing around these mats and sticking. Tampa Bay Area is in still in severe drought conditions. Rainfall events have disturbed these shoreline mats of algae this month, and likely promoted BGA regrowth attempts. It's noted within the photos when these weather events occurred.
For brevity, when the term "BGA" is referenced in the photo notes, it means the long-established "Microcystis Aeruginosa" type, with the bright green paint like appearance.
18 of 30 days (60% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented. This does not include the presence of the likely toxic planktonic algal bloom in the water column creating the green turbid water, which is likely a dominant toxic cyanobacteria type. (Cyanobacteria is commonly considered a planktonic algae type despite being bacteria.)
Sept 3 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green clumps, denoted by red arrows, stuck in floating vegetation; greenish tint to water, turbid
Sept 4 2023
1) Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green clumps; greenish tint to water, turbid;
some pieces of green and brown floating vegetation/debris
Sept 4 2023 - View 2
2) Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Close up of the blue-green algae (BGA) clumps floating on surface of water
Sept 5 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green clumps, denoted by red arrows, on water's surface and stuck in floating vegetation; greenish tint to water, turbid
Sept 6 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green clumps, denoted by red arrows, on water's surface and stuck in floating vegetation; greenish tint to water, turbid
Sept 9 2023
Southeast Lobe ~6:01 PM
Blue-green algae faint gray and olive green translucent like streaking (apart of visible BGA life cycle)
On Sept 8 2023, Rainfall event, measured 1.30"
Rainfall event, measured 0.10"
Sept 11 2023
Southeast Lobe ~8:17 AM
green yellow water color
On Sept 10 2023, Rainfall event, measured 0.03"
Sept 11 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green build up and heavy streaking
Sept 12 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup, bright green and gray (different stages of visible BGA life cycle)
Sept 13 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green streaking and stagnant bubbles
Sept 13 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup, bright green and olive green and gray (different stages of visible BGA life cycle); large floating cattail island contributing to detritus nutrient problems and trapping algae
Sept 14 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup, bright green and olive green and gray (different stages of visible BGA life cycle); large floating cattail island contributing to detritus nutrient problems and trapping algae; small white feathers and yellow leaves in BGA scum
Sept 14 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green streaking and stagnant bubbles
Sept 18 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green clumps, denoted by red arrows, on water's surface and stuck in floating vegetation; greenish tint to water, turbid
On Sept 15 2023, Rainfall event, measured 0.35"
Rainfall event, measured 0.30"
Sept 19 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae faint translucent like streaking shown by yellow arrow, trapped by floating vegetation mats; water color obscured by overcast lighting
Sept 20 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green clumps, denoted by red arrows, on water's surface and stuck in floating vegetation; greenish tint to water, turbid
Rainfall event, measured 0.20"
Sept 21 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup, bright green and olive green and gray (different stages of visible BGA life cycle)
Sept 22 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green clumps, denoted by red arrows, on water's surface and stuck in floating vegetation; yellow arrows denote gray streaking of BGA (different stage of visible life cycle?); removed cattail debris on shore
Sept 23 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae faint gray translucent like streaking and stagnant bubbles (apart of visible BGA life cycle); yellow green color water; turbidity still present
Sept 24 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae faint gray translucent like streaking / stagnant bubbles (apart of visible BGA life cycle); note green material in streaks is grass clippings not BGA
Sept 28 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup, olive green and gray (different stages of visible BGA life cycle)
On Sept 25 2023, Rainfall event, measured 0.30"
On Sept 27 2023, Rainfall event, measured 0.07"
Sept 29 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae faint translucent like gray and olive green streaking; water color obscured by overcast lighting; floating brown plant detritus
Rainfall event, measured 0.20"
Sept 29 2023
Southeast Lobe ~6:32 PM
Blue-green algae faint gray and olive green translucent like streaking and stagnant bubbles