Officials said the 77-acre (31-hectare) reservoir holds millions of gallons of water containing phosphorus and nitrogen from an old phosphate plant. The pond where the leak was found is in a stack of phosphogypsum, a radioactive waste product from the manufacture of fertiliser.
Contents
Why is Florida’s water toxic?
One of the most well-known harmful algal blooms (HABs) is the Florida “red tide” caused by Karenia brevis, a type of algae that produces potent neurotoxins. The toxins can be suspended in the air near beaches and cause human respiratory illness.
Are Florida waters toxic?
It’s natural to have some algae in the water column, but decades of fertilizer, manure and sewage runoff have boosted phosphorus and nitrogen levels, making toxic algae grow out of control and poisoning Florida’s waters.
Where is the toxic waste water leak in Florida?
In late March, site engineers found a leak in the liner of the Piney Point reservoir pond, where millions of gallons of polluted water from phosphate mining operations were being stored.
Why are dead fish washing up in Florida?
Dead fish, ruined vacations, and other consequences of Florida’s red tide can be tied to just one tiny species: Karenia brevis. It’s a type of marine algae, or phytoplankton, native to the Gulf of Mexico.Rotting fish essentially fertilize the water, which in turn creates more algae.
When did Piney Point leak?
On March 26, a leak sprung at Piney Point, a phosphate mine and fertilizer plant that’s been defunct since 2001. The facility—one of more than two dozen in the state, nine of which are still active—houses stacks of phosphogypsum, a toxic, radioactive byproduct of the fertilizer production process.
What is in the toxic water in Florida?
Emergency crews in Florida have been working to prevent a “catastrophic” flood after a leak was found in a large reservoir of toxic wastewater.Officials said the 77-acre (31-hectare) reservoir holds millions of gallons of water containing phosphorus and nitrogen from an old phosphate plant.
Why are dead fish washing up on shore?
The fish were killed by a so-called “red tide,” a bloom of toxic algae that appears along Florida’s Gulf Coast once a year that can be deadly to sea creatures, and potentially harmful to humans.
Is the Southwest Florida water Toxic?
Too much water discharged from Lake Okeechobee can result in toxic algal blooms.
How many gallons did Piney Point dump?
The lawsuit comes after Florida regulators authorized the discharge of up to 480 million gallons of wastewater from the Piney Point phosphogypsum stack into Tampa Bay following years of regulatory failures and mismanagement.
Where is Piney Point Tampa?
Piney Point phosphate plant
| Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap | |
|---|---|
| Built | September 1966 |
| Area | 676 acres (274 ha) |
| Address | 13300 Scale Avenue Palmetto, Florida 34221 |
| Owner(s) | HRK Holdings |
What did Piney Point dump?
The Piney Point site once housed a plant where manufacturers processed phosphate to make an ingredient in fertilizer. That work left a byproduct called phosphogypsum, a chalky substance that federal environmental officials require to be held in strictly monitored stacks because it is radioactive.
Why is there a red tide in Florida?
In Florida, the species that causes most red tides is Karenia brevis (K. brevis). This organism produces a toxin that can affect the central nervous system of fish. At high concentrations (called a bloom), the organisms may discolor the water a red or brown hue.
Where is red tide the worst in Florida?
According to FWC’s red tide map, the worst of the recent blooms are located offshore and onshore of north Pinellas County beaches, near Clearwater, as well as Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach in Manatee County.
When was the last red tide in Florida?
2018
We don’t know the end of it.” The last summertime red tide in the area was in 2018, and it was so bad it killed manatees and dolphins. In humans, a red tide can cause respiratory irritations, and it’s of course a deterrent to tourists looking to enjoy the beaches.
Is Piney Point still leaking?
While the seepage from the pond continued for weeks, none of that contaminated water has left the Piney Point site since April 8 when the discharge into Tampa Bay was turned off. The leak has been contained in stormwater ponds on the site, FDEP said.
Did Piney Point cause red tide?
THE ANSWER. No, the “scientific consensus” isn’t clear that Piney Point did not cause red tide. Elsa was a likely contributing factor. Research into the extent of how the discharge from the former fertilizer plant is affecting the water is ongoing.
Is Piney Point responsible for red tide?
“This has really been an anomalous event,” he said. Although experts point to Piney Point as a significant catalyst for the red tide, it was not the only contributor. Tomasko said it will take a long-term approach to address the many different factors that contribute to local algal blooms.
What red tide means?
harmful algal bloom
A “red tide” is a common term used for a harmful algal bloom.Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when colonies of algae—simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater—grow out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds.
How much longer will red tide last?
The FWC says most blooms last between three and five months, but some can persist for longer than a year.
Is red tide in Florida bad for humans?
The Florida Department of Health advises people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions, such as emphysema or asthma, to avoid red tide areas.However, the red tide can cause some people to suffer skin irritation and burning eyes.
