IRLNews:Bloom Free But Barren
In spite of Titusville’s 7 million gallon effluent spill, the NIRL has not had a major algae bloom this year. The estuary is bloom free, the water is clear but the bottom is barren of seagrass. I wonder what besides algae blooms could be inhibiting our seagrass growth?
Glyphosate herbicide can have a 240 day half-life[2] and the Northern Indian River lagoons have a residence (flush) time of over 220 days[3]. What goes in the water stays in the water.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that glyphosate is a probable health hazard to humans.[4]
A 2020 analysis determined that prolonged exposure to glyphosate may cause organ damage and cancerous tumors in experimental animals.[5]
A 2021 UF Aquatic Animal Health study found that 55.8% of the Florida manatees tested have glyphosate in their bloodstream. The herbicide affects the manatees digestive systems, major organs and neurological systems.[6]
Which of our research groups will be the first to monitor Indian River Lagoon glyphosate levels?
Martin and Indian River counties have banned the use of glyphosate herbicide in order to protect human health and the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem. When will Brevard County follow suit?
The cities of Cape Canaveral and Satellite Beach have banned the municipal use of glyphosate herbicide. When will Titusville, Melbourne, and Palm Bay follow their lead?
When will Florida's Melbourne-Tillman Water Control and St. Johns Water Management districts trade herbicides for harvesting in their nutrient loaded drainage canals?
Kennedy Space Center environmental biologists report a 95% loss of seagrass in the north Banana River. When will the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary’s largest stakeholder, the U.S Federal Government, adopt alternatives to glyphosate on its 140,000 acre property?
Glyphosate remains in the water column for 240 days; is a probable health hazard to humans and wildlife; and may be partially responsible for the demise of the estuary’s keystone indicator species, seagrass.
In other words, the canary in the coal mine has died. Without immediate drastic environmental changes from the city to federal level Brevard County residents may soon witness the death of the Northern Indian and Banana River lagoons.
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