SANTA ROSA SOUND ALGAE BLOOM

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said a small bloom of blue-green algae was spotted Monday in Santa Rosa Sound about 100 feet off of the Oriole Beach Boat Ramp in Gulf Breeze. Escambia County Marine Biologist Robert Turpin gathered samples, which tested positive for toxic blue-green algae. Chip Kirschenfeld, (“Cursh-En-Feld”), Natural Resources Management director for Escambia County, said the bloom is very small and doesn’t pose a threat to humans or pets. He said algae blooms are caused by excess nutrients in the water such as sewer spills, pet waste, excess yard fertilizer, and leaking septic tanks. Last year, massive blooms of blue-green algae caused major problems in waterways throughout South Florida.