2024 Jan - March
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January 2024
January 2024: The confirmed toxic planktonic blue-green algae (BGA) remains visually present. Shoreline BGA surface streaking (both gray and green BGA states) and large bright green BGA specs or clumps were documented. These are indicators that BGA is dominantly present and growing in large enough colonies and quantities to form visible particulate. This BGA is likely the Microcystis Aeruginosa or a combination thereof of Microcystis species and the other identified BGA species from prior water quality data. The City of St. Petersburg has ceased water quality sampling (including toxin testing) after the beginning of July 2023 despite confirmed toxic algal bloom dominance and Microcystin toxin levels.
There has been no additional methods used by the City to proactively prevent these toxic blooms (and improve overall water quality). No nutrient reduction treatment methods have been applied since 2020. The cost effective suggestions of increased aeration, beneficial bacterial treatments, and cattail removal have not been utilized for over 3 years. No dredging plans or schedule have been completed by the City. The City contracted September 2021 Sediment Report stated the sediment (this is the dredged material placed during the 2002 City approved USACE-SAJ Harbor Isle Lake Fill project) was the highest internal nutrient load and dredging was an applicable removal option.
Tampa Bay Area is in extreme drought conditions as of Jan 2, 2024. This condition may be contributing to the less intense presence of surface scum BGA at this time. Rainfall events are noted within the photos, as they likely aid in BGA surface bloom attempts [rainfall notes are in review and currently not noted, please check back]
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. It appears another granular type/visible form of Microcystis is also present, distinct from the paint like form.
25 of 31 days (80.6% 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.)
Jan 01 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow
Jan 02 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, in debris and gray streaking and bubbles of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
Jan 02 2024
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow; and gray streaking sticky bubbles (left)
Jan 03 2024
1) Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow
Jan 03 2024
2) Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Close up of bright green granular BGA type stuck within floating leaves, and some filamentatous furry algae below water surface
Jan 03 2024
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, near rocks (lower center)
Jan 04 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows
Jan 05 2024
1) Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows
Jan 05 2024
2) Southern (Entrance) Lobe - Second View
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow
Jan 07 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, brown dead cattail reed debris, beached cattail island
Jan 08 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, brown dead cattail reed debris, cattail island (left)
Jan 09 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface; there is also green filamentous algae; cattail islands
Jan 10 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows; cattail islands and floating debris
Jan 10 2024
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, closest to rocks, and faint green translucent BGA streaking
Jan 11 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, brown leaves and cattail reed floating debris; cattail island
Jan 12 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, brown dead cattail reed and leaf debris, beached cattail island
Jan 14 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows, within green algae and leaf debris; floating small cattail with rhizomes (left)
Jan 14 2024
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, closeup of larger clump forms; loose dead brown cattail reeds
Jan 15 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, with light bright green BGA streaking; distinctly different from green algae type near shore (center left) with its darker green and furry texture
Jan 15 2024
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface
Jan 16 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows; brown cattail debris and beached cattail island
Jan 17 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows; brown cattail debris and beached cattail island
Jan 17 2024
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae sparse bright granular specs on surface, closest to shore, overall water color is greenish and turbid
Jan 18 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows; brown cattail debris and beached cattail island
Jan 18 2024
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, with light bright green BGA streaking
Jan 19 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface
Jan 26 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow; brown cattail debris and beached cattail island
Note: Jan 21 - Jan 25 photos were visually similar to the BGA presence on Jan 26
Jan 28 2024
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae sparse bright granular specs on surface, closest to shore, overall water color is greenish and turbid
Jan 31 2024
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow; brown cattail debris and beached cattail island
February 2024
February 2024: coming soon
-- of 29 days (--% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented
March 2024
March 2024: coming soon
-- of 31 days (--% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented