Caulerpa brachypus Strategy Meeting
On Wednesday April 23, 2003 we held a joint meeting of Conservation Alliance and Indian Riverkeeper at the Ft. Pierce Library. We met to hold a strategy session for invasive algae in the Indian River Lagoon.
Kevin Stinnette was the moderator of the program and facilitator of the group analysis.
Panel members included:
Dr. Brian E. Lapointe, of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute,
Jim Egan, of the Marine Resources Council,
Mark Perry, of Florida Oceanographic Society,
Jeff Beal, Aquatic Preserve Manager with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and
Dr. Sydney Bacchus, Ph. D, hydroecologist and expert on karst aquifer water movement from Applied Environmental Services, Athens Ga.
Presentation:
Dr. Lapointe presented findings to date regarding the explosive bloom of algae on the reefs along the Florida Coast, particularly the emergence of Caulerpa Brachypus, a species believed to have originated in the Pacific Ocean.
Dr. Lapointe's findings indicate that the presence of nitrogen 14 isotope in the algae indicates that it is being fed predominantly by sewage from human sources.
The presence of the nitrogen 14 isotope in the deeper study areas and its persistence both before and during natural upwelling events suggests that these events do not account for the excess of nitrogen on the reefs. Surface water discharges of nutrient laden water are also unlikely to account for the amount and distribution of the nitrogen 14 isotope in the study area.
The depths at which the nutrient loading is high are depths at which the Floridan Aquifer has been shown to discharge into the Atlantic Ocean.
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Dr. Lapointe shared his hypothesis that the origin of the nitrogen that is making the reefs suitable habitat for Caulerpa and other algae species comes from human sewage that has been injected into the Floridan Aquifer at sewage treatment facilities.
The natural buoyancy of the fresh water in storm water from the watershed and in effluent from outfalls in counties to the south makes it improbable that the nutrients fueling the deepwater blooms are from those sources.
The exotic algae has been verified on offshore reefs, near the railroad bridge at Jupiter, off Sailfish Point near the St. Lucie Inlet and near the Jensen Beach Causeway.
Needs: (The following is the product of the group discussion )
Identification:
Identify the proportion of surface water to ground water affecting reefs
Identify the levels of nutrients in water bodies at different depths
Identify the means of removal of nutrients and treatment of effluent
Identify the spatial extent of the spread of Caulerpa brachypus in area waters
Determine a means of using National Estuary Program technology and resources to ground truth the spatial extent.
Plug into existing programs
Harmful Algae Bloom Taskforce to lead
University of Florida Sea Grant Program
Aquatic Preserve office will help with identification - 873-6590
Volunteers
Prevention:
Outlaw Caulerpa species
Identify California actions
Petition
Invasive Species Management Plan
Get aggressive with nutrients
Water re-use for irrigation and toilets
Barden Pho Treatment
Produce pellets from solids and use them as fuel for purification by distillation
Political:
Educate local elected officials that effluent isn't OK
Make voices heard about the need for more research funding
Tasks:
Determine extent of spread.
Is it "rooted"
Redouble efforts against nutrients in our waters
Build the will to change and find alternatives to deep well injection and ASR
Progress:
Since the April 23rd meeting Dr. Lapointe has spoken at forums along the Treasure Coast. Local politicians are expressing concern and a willingness to confront problems that may be aggravating the situation. Marine Resources Council and the Indian Riverkeeper conducted a joint meeting to recruit volunteers to begin removal of Caulerpa where it can be done by hand.
Indian Riverkeeper
P.O. Box 1812
Jensen Beach, Fl. 34958