A report of cyanobacteria in Lake Okeechobee prompted a Sept. 26 water advisory to be careful in that area, according to the Florida Department of Health office in Martin County.
The alert is in response to water samples taken on Sept. 22 that showed cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae, in an area of Lake O near Southwest Kanner Highway and Southwest Conners Highway.
The algae did not contain the toxin microcystin, but the public should exercise caution in and around Lake O.
DOH, DEP test for cyanobacteria
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects water samples, which are analyzed at a laboratory, then publishes the results online at Protecting Florida Together and on the DEP’s Algal Bloom Dashboard.
Algae is common in Florida’s freshwater environments, but a bloom occurs when rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors.
Blooms can appear as various-colored scum, foam or paint on the water surface, but algae in the water may not always be visible.
Some environmental factors that contribute to blooms are sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions and excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus from urban development and farms. Blooms can appear year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall.
Toxic algal bloom precautions
The DOH advises residents and visitors to take these precautions:
Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with water where there is a visible bloom.
Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.
Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.
Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.
Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
What do I do if I see an algal bloom?
Report a bloom to DEP online or via its toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903.
Report fish kills to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 800-636-0511.
Tim O’Hara is TCPalm’s environment reporter. Contact him at tim.ohara@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida DOH warns of cyanobacteria in Lake Okeechobee in Martin County