Florida's Water Pollution: A Deadly Threat To Animals

Water pollution is a pressing issue that affects marine life in Florida and beyond. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of animals that perish due to water pollution, it is evident that this issue takes a significant toll on various species. Florida's marine animals face multiple threats, including plastic ingestion, entanglement in debris, and chemical contamination from pesticides and herbicides. The Indian River Lagoon, a biodiverse ecosystem, has earned the grim nickname of the killing zone due to the high number of animal deaths. The impact of pollution extends beyond Florida, with plastic pollution and ocean litter causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of seabirds and marine mammals globally each year.

Manatees starving due to pollution

Manatees, the gentle giants of the sea, are starving to death in Florida's waters due to rampant pollution. The Indian River Lagoon, once a thriving habitat and sanctuary for these creatures, has become a graveyard as a result of decades of neglect and pollution. The water quality in Florida has been steadily declining, endangering the lives of many marine animals, and manatees are one of the most visible victims of this crisis.

Manatees are starving due to the absence of their primary food source, seagrass, which has been destroyed by pollution. Nitrogen and phosphorus contamination, primarily from agricultural and industrial runoff, has fuelled harmful algal blooms. These blooms block sunlight from reaching the seagrass, causing it to die off. Over 89,000 acres of seagrass have disappeared across Florida, including from the waters of Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbour. The loss of seagrass also affects other species such as sea turtles and dolphins, who rely on a healthy ecosystem for their survival.

The impact of this ecological disaster on manatees has been devastating. In 2021, dozens of manatee carcasses washed up on the shores of Brevard County, Florida, with researchers counting 208 carcasses on the East Coast alone. The emaciated bodies of these beloved animals, identifiable by their sunken, peanut-shaped heads, bore witness to the tragedy. The situation is so dire that wildlife agencies have resorted to providing supplemental lettuce to the starving manatees, but this may not be enough to save them.

The Indian River Lagoon, located off the coast of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean, is home to an incredibly biodiverse lagoon ecosystem. However, it has earned the grim nickname of the "killing zone" due to the alarming number of manatee deaths in recent years. The lagoon's waters, once a refuge for manatees during the winter months, have become a deadly trap as pollution levels continue to rise. The failure to regulate and control runoff from major industries has turned this once-lush habitat into a wasteland.

The manatee die-off in Florida is projected to last for years, and the state has allocated millions of dollars to clean up polluted waters and restore the seagrass manatees need to survive. While efforts are being made to regrow seagrass in the Indian River Lagoon, the success of these initiatives is uncertain. The future of Florida's manatees hangs in the balance, and only time will tell if they can be saved from the devastating effects of water pollution.

Plastic ingestion by sea turtles

Sea turtles are among the many marine animals in Florida that are endangered by water pollution. Florida's oceans, lakes, and rivers are filling up with harmful pollution at an alarming rate, threatening the lives of a huge percentage of marine life.

Sea turtles are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution. They often mistake plastics for their natural food, such as a plastic bag for a jellyfish, or accidentally eat plastic that is present among their natural food, such as a plastic straw on the seafloor among crustaceans. Sea turtles are also attracted to the smell of marine plastics, likely due to the organisms that latch on to plastic debris in the ocean. As a result, it is estimated that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic, with some studies placing this number as high as 52%.

When sea turtles ingest plastic, it can cause physical damage to their intestines, lead to blockages, or trick them into feeling full when they are not. All of these consequences can make sea turtles sick or even lead to death. Research conducted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) found that a turtle had a 22% chance of dying if it ate just one piece of plastic. Once a turtle had 14 plastic items in its gut, there was a 50% likelihood that it would die. The consumption of plastic can also cause internal bleeding if the plastic pierces the intestinal wall.

In addition to ingestion, sea turtles can become entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear or other debris, while they are migrating, feeding, or nesting. This can lead to choking, loss of limbs, and other injuries. Young sea turtles are especially vulnerable to plastic pollution as they spend their early years floating with ocean currents and living in flotsam, such as brown algae, which can converge with plastic waste.

Efforts are being made to address the plastic pollution problem and protect sea turtles. Hundreds of organizations globally are working to fight plastic pollution through cleanups, advocacy, public awareness campaigns, and novel ways to repurpose plastic waste. Individuals can also make a difference by reducing their use of single-use plastics, properly disposing of waste, and picking up any loose plastic waste they encounter.

Waterborne diseases in animals

Water pollution in Florida is causing the deaths of many marine animals, including dolphins, manatees, pelicans, sea grass beds, and turtles. The Indian River Lagoon, located off the coast of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean, has been nicknamed the "killing zone" due to the large numbers of animal deaths in recent years. The specific number of animal deaths caused by water pollution in Florida is not known, but the issue is severe and widespread.

Some common waterborne diseases in animals include:

• Cryptosporidiosis, caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium, which infects the intestines and causes diarrhea.
• Giardiasis, caused by the parasite Giardia, which is found in contaminated water, soil, food, and surfaces.
• Leptospirosis, a bacterial zoonotic disease that affects humans and animals, most often occurring in tropical or subtropical regions. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, chills, headache, jaundice, and red eyes.
• E. coli infections, which can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting.

In Florida, a systematic review of waterborne and water-related diseases in animal populations from 1999 to 2019 identified 33 infectious pathogens of public health importance, including waterborne diseases, water-related vector-borne diseases, and water-based toxins. The state's unique environment, with its coastline and inland freshwater bodies, makes it particularly vulnerable to water-related health risks.

Seals and sea lions dying from plastic packing bands

Florida's oceans, lakes, and rivers are increasingly becoming a toxic soup of harmful pollution, endangering the lives of many marine animals. One of the most vulnerable species are seals and sea lions, who are dying at alarming rates due to plastic packing bands. These innocent creatures often get entangled in the plastic bands, leading to severe injuries and a slow, painful death.

Plastic packing bands, also known as rubber bands, are commonly used in the shipping industry to secure packages. Unfortunately, when these bands end up in the ocean, they pose a significant threat to marine life. Seals and sea lions, with their playful and curious nature, are particularly susceptible to the dangers of these plastic bands. Young pups, in their exploration of marine debris, unknowingly put themselves at risk of strangulation and severe wounds.

The impact of plastic packing bands on the Steller Sea Lion population is profound. An eight-year study in Southeast Alaska and British Columbia revealed a disturbing truth: 388 sea lions entangled in plastic debris, struggling for their lives. The plastic bands can become deeply embedded in the animal's flesh, leading to horrific wounds and exposing them to deadly infections.

The problem of seals and sea lions dying from plastic packing bands extends beyond the shores of Florida. A tragic example of this global crisis was the discovery of a harp seal pup on the island of Skye in Scotland. Upon examination, a small piece of plastic was found clogged in its intestines, likely causing its untimely death.

The decline of seals and sea lions due to plastic pollution is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention. It is essential to recognize that this issue is not limited to a single species or location but is a global crisis impacting marine life worldwide. By raising awareness, implementing sustainable practices, and reducing our reliance on single-use plastics, we can work towards protecting these magnificent creatures and preserving the delicate balance of our ocean ecosystems.

Algal blooms killing fish and seagrass

Florida's water resources are known for their diversity, including beaches, estuaries, rivers, lakes, and springs. However, the state's vast saltwater and freshwater ecosystems are under threat from harmful algal blooms (HABs). These HABs occur when certain algae rapidly grow and overpopulate due to favourable conditions, such as warm water and increased nutrients from pollution. While algae are essential for sustaining marine life and contributing to the oxygen levels in water bodies, algal blooms can have devastating consequences.

Algal blooms can release toxins that not only sicken ecosystems, animals, and people but also kill fish and other marine life. The release of toxins during algal blooms, known as red tide, can lead to the death of fish and other organisms, including marine gastropods and bivalve mollusks. Bivalve mollusks, such as clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops, are filter feeders that can concentrate toxins and become contaminated. Additionally, algal blooms can cause discoloured water, unpleasant odours, and respiratory irritation in humans and animals.

The Indian River Lagoon, a biodiverse lagoon ecosystem in Florida, has suffered from harmful algal blooms, resulting in massive losses of seagrass coverage. Seagrass is vital for manatees, as they crop the grasses for food and stimulate their growth. The loss of seagrass due to algal blooms has led to the starvation and death of a significant number of manatees. In 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) for manatees, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Pollution is a significant contributor to the problem, with excess nitrogen and phosphorus feeding the growth of algae and destroying habitats for manatees, turtles, and dolphins. Over time, pollution weakens the ecosystem, making it difficult for natural habitats to recover from challenges such as severe cold. The impact of algal blooms extends beyond the immediate loss of marine life, as the toxins can also affect humans and other animals through the consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish.

To address this issue, organisations like the Florida Sea Grant support research and extension efforts to improve the understanding of harmful algal blooms and develop strategies to minimise their impact on Florida's environment, public health, and economy. Additionally, advocacy groups like the Save the Manatee Club push for stronger protections for manatees and their aquatic habitats, urging agencies to address the issue of nutrient pollution that fuels these destructive algal blooms.

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