Slimy Lakes, Dead Dogs: Climate Crisis Has Brought Season Of Toxic Algae

"Warming water and pollution are contributing to a variety of harmful bacteria that can wreak havoc on aquatic environments"

"From New York City to coastal California, a poison-producing living slime is overtaking waterways and shorelines, killing pets, ravaging tourism markets and making its way into local drinking water. So far this year, algae has been implicated in dog deaths and illness in California, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas. In August, toxic algae overtook Lake Erie, growing to 620 square miles.

These biotoxic blooms can last anywhere from a few weeks to over a year.

This nationwide algae epidemic points to a sustained shift in the aquatic environment – one that experts say is being driven by pollution and the climate crisis."

Susie Cagle reports for the Guardian September 19, 2019.

Source: Guardian, 09/19/2019