Bay Area Red Tide Crisis Ends, Watchdog Group Declares Algae Bloom Over
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Why Is an Algae Bloom Closing Crab Season in California?
Epilepsy Research Aided by Sea Lions With Seizures
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"content": "\u003cp>Every year during the summer or fall, shore waves across the Bay Area are lit up with flashes of beautiful blue light.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This beautiful blue light is caused by millions of tiny bioluminescent plankton called dinoflagellates. But how do these minuscule organisms produce such a dazzling display?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for the facts about the science behind bioluminescence, and where you can see it for yourself in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong> \u003ca href=\"#biolumi\">\u003cstrong>How you can see bioluminescence for yourself in the Bay Area\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>How do organisms make light?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction that happens inside many organisms, from bacteria to squid, shrimp, fungus, fireflies and even starfish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is all thanks to a light-emitting molecule in their cells called luciferin, combined with a photo protein called luciferase. This protein creates the chemical reaction between luciferin and oxygen, making these organisms glow.[aside postID='news_11910495,science_1983522,news_11953853,news_11953794' label='More Outdoor Guides From KQED']Different forms of luciferin can produce different colors of light. Fireflies, for example, have a form of luciferin in their cells that emit green light, whereas marine organisms like the dinoflagellates found around the shores of the San Francisco Bay emit blue light.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Why do some organisms produce bioluminescence?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Some species of bioluminescent sea creatures, like some jellyfish, have evolved to become bioluminescent due to their diet. When they eat other bioluminescent organisms, they borrow that chemical that allows them to produce light within their bodies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Other sea creatures, like angler fish that have that ball of light that glows and lures in prey, and flashes light to repel predators, get their bioluminescence from a certain bacteria called photobacterium.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“And the standard rule of thumb is that, what glows in the ocean attracts and what flashes repel,” said Steve Haddock, a senior scientist at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute who researches bioluminescence organisms. He also runs a citizen science website, \u003ca href=\"https://jellywatch.org/\">JellyWatch.org\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1993933\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2160px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1993933\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2160\" height=\"1440\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812.jpg 2160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2160px) 100vw, 2160px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bioluminescence was captured at Seacliff State Beach in Santa Cruz on August 12, 2023. \u003ccite>(Johnny Chien)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Bioluminescence is a terrific deterrent against predators that would eat these organisms. It also functions like a flashlight for finding and attracting prey. Some organisms use their glowing abilities as camouflage — they turn light on to block out their silhouette, a kind of cloaking device — hiding them from potential predators.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are dinoflagellates? And how are they related to red tides?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Dinoflagellates are single-celled phytoplankton that are usually invisible to the naked eye. But when they are present in high numbers, they can turn the water a hazy green or even orange, depending on the pigments present in cells of that species. When left alone, dinoflagellates won’t produce any light, but when things like ocean waves, wind, and sea creatures disturb them at night, they become bioluminescent, dazzling with a blue light.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When water temperatures and conditions are just right, blooms of dinoflagellates can grow rapidly and accumulate in high concentrations, causing an event known as a red tide. Red tide is a term generally used to describe when phytoplankton or algae becomes so abundant that it discolors the water, sometimes appearing orange or red.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So you get a red tide in the daytime and blue tide in the nighttime,” said Haddock.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I swim or kayak in bioluminescent waters caused by a dinoflagellate red tide?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>A red tide of dinoflagellates is not to be mistaken with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1983775/as-algal-bloom-returns-to-the-bay-is-swimming-safe-for-humans-and-pets\">harmful red tides that killed many fish across the Bay Area \u003c/a>last year. The species that caused that red tide is called Heterosigma akashiwo, and although classified as not dangerous to humans, this species can suck up all the oxygen that fish need in the water, causing them to die.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most of the bioluminescent species of dinoflagellates are not dangerous to humans. And it should be fine to kayak or swim in bioluminescent waters, says Haddock. But during a red tide, when the water is murky brown, multiple species of different organisms may be present, including the ones that release toxins that might be harmful to humans and animals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some species of dinoflagellates can produce various toxins. Their decomposition releases the toxin into the water, and it can even enter the air and become a problem for marine animals and humans, according to Peter Roopnarine, a curator of geology at California Academy of Sciences.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Pay attention to your local advisories about water quality, and things like shellfish poisoning,” Haddock advised.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The rule of thumb is: If the water is a murky brown instead of the usual green or blue, it’s best to stay out of the water. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1983775/as-algal-bloom-returns-to-the-bay-is-swimming-safe-for-humans-and-pets\">Read more about the algal blooms during the red tide in the Bay Area here\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"biolumi\">\u003c/a>When can I see bioluminescence around the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Johnny Chien, a hobbyist photographer and Bay Area resident captured bioluminescence at \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/CurmoqxLFhQ/\">Seacliff State Beach\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/CvH30zHrCr-/?img_index=1\">Manresa State Beach\u003c/a> in Santa Cruz County last year. He says that when looking for bioluminescence, patience is key.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s one of those natural [phenomena] that is kind of like the Northern Lights,” said Chien. Chien says that because the wind and tide play important roles in the movement of these bioluminescent planktons, it’s worth it to walk around and explore the beaches when you’re out looking for them. “You could have combinations where there are blotches or certain parts of the beach that are active, certain parts are not,” said Chien.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1993934\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1620px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1993934\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1620\" height=\"2160\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243.jpg 1620w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243-800x1067.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243-1020x1360.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1620px) 100vw, 1620px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Johnny Chien, a hobbyist photographer and Bay Area resident captured bioluminescence at Manresa State Beach in Santa Cruz County. This photo was taken in July 2023 \u003ccite>(Johnny Chien)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>What time of year is best to see bioluminescence?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Bioluminescent planktons are around all year long in our California waters. But it’s only when there’s a high concentration of them that makes for a big bioluminescence event, says Haddock. And the best time to see one of those is usually from June until October.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Predicting a big bioluminescent event is not easy. It depends on many factors like temperature, the weather, wind, and tide. So with that in mind…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip #1: Watch the weather\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phytoplanktons like dinoflagellates can reproduce significantly in optimal warm temperatures. Very often, these warm temperatures can cause an increase in dinoflagellate populations, said Roopnarine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Haddock says that spotting bioluminescence is “best in the fall,” especially on a balmy day in late summer, “where it’s been relatively warm and calm.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sometimes conditions occur that lead to massive increases in abundance. These can be seasonal causes, when currents concentrate them in some areas, or when nutrient conditions become very favorable for population increase among bioluminescent planktons, said Roopnarine.[aside label=\"related coverage\" tag=\"algae\"]A rainy or windy day followed by a calm day can kick off the sequence of events leading to a bloom. Rainy days will bring nutrients like phosphate and nitrate found in fertilizers used on land into the watershed and eventually into the sea. Wind will cause the mixing of deeper water, which has more nutrients, up to the surface, said Haddock.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Calm waters in a bay where the area is more enclosed and unaffected by the wind, could be a great spot to look for them after a windy or rainy day, said Haddock.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip #2: Look for red tides around surf zones\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Shreenivasan Manievannan, a professional photographer in the Bay Area, captured \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/CjQ_0vbjCFb/\">a video of the bioluminescence in 2022 in Pacifica\u003c/a> when he noticed the red tide event earlier in the day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I noticed a distinct change in [color in] the waves in the surf zone,” said Manievannan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else would you like to read a guide about right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip #3: Track those dinoflagellates (or follow those who do)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You might also be able to track dinoflagellates on \u003ca href=\"https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=1410906\">iNaturalist\u003c/a>, a crowdsourced species-identification system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also, stay tuned to local aquariums like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and social media updates on bioluminescence events.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip #4: Consider the visibility\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For the best visibility, catch the bioluminescence on a moonless night or a night during a new moon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The darker the night, the better,” said Haddock.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 100%;\" align=\"center\">\n\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"500\" height=\"750\" src=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/Cuw1w37LlYl/embed\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003ch2>Where can I see bioluminescence around the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Haddock says that if the bioluminescence is very bright, you can see it really well on the shore or on the bluffs overlooking the shore.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But one of his best experiences seeing bioluminescence was on a rowboat in a bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Every drip of water from the paddle would create this concentric ring of lights that went out,” he said. “It’s just amazing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The two most common spots to check out bioluminescence are Tomales Bay in Marin County and Moss Landing in Monterey Bay where you can take advantage of a number of bioluminescent tours organized by kayaking companies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Santa Cruz county, residents have spotted bioluminescence on the shores of Manresa State Beach in Aptos, Seacliff State Beach, \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu4fsapr3kH/\">Rio Del Mar State Beach\u003c/a>, Shark Fin Cove in Davenport, Platforms Beach and Sumner Beach in Aptos. \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/Bioluminescent-waves-glowing-in-Big-Sur-12556823.php\">Big Sur near Bixby Bridge\u003c/a> has been known to produce bioluminescence in 2018.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5ugV88_HTU\u003c/p>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For folks who want to experience this event with others, Haddock advises checking out kayaking companies that offer bioluminescence tours. Bay Area kayak companies like \u003ca href=\"https://kayakconnection.com/\">Kayak Connection\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.bluewaterskayaking.com/\">Blue Waters Kayaking\u003c/a> offer bioluminescence tours every year from June until around November.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What’s it like to go on one of these bioluminescence tours via kayak — especially if you’re already a science lover? In 2023, Bay Area scientist Nuur Shaikh, who majored in biology in college, accompanied almost 20 other friends on \u003ca href=\"https://kayakconnection.com/\">a bioluminescence tour in Moss Landing, Santa Cruz\u003c/a>, where the tour guides brought them to the bioluminescent hot spots in Elkhorn Slough.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The current was basically pulling us toward the hot spots. We didn’t really have to row or anything,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the way to the bioluminescent hot spots, Shaikh and her group passed by patches of algae. “So you could pick up a piece of algae and you can kind of see the [bioluminescent] plankton that’s stuck on those strands,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When she twirled her fingers in the water, she said the water would light up for a microsecond, making it look like glitter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They kind of sparkle a little,” she said. “They look like fairy dust.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story was originally published on August 10, 2023.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2024. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[hearken id=\"10483\" src=\"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Here's the science behind bioluminescence, and where you can see it for yourself in the Bay Area.",
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"title": "Bioluminescence in Bay Area: Where to See the Glow | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Every year during the summer or fall, shore waves across the Bay Area are lit up with flashes of beautiful blue light.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This beautiful blue light is caused by millions of tiny bioluminescent plankton called dinoflagellates. But how do these minuscule organisms produce such a dazzling display?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for the facts about the science behind bioluminescence, and where you can see it for yourself in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong> \u003ca href=\"#biolumi\">\u003cstrong>How you can see bioluminescence for yourself in the Bay Area\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>How do organisms make light?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction that happens inside many organisms, from bacteria to squid, shrimp, fungus, fireflies and even starfish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is all thanks to a light-emitting molecule in their cells called luciferin, combined with a photo protein called luciferase. This protein creates the chemical reaction between luciferin and oxygen, making these organisms glow.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Different forms of luciferin can produce different colors of light. Fireflies, for example, have a form of luciferin in their cells that emit green light, whereas marine organisms like the dinoflagellates found around the shores of the San Francisco Bay emit blue light.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Why do some organisms produce bioluminescence?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Some species of bioluminescent sea creatures, like some jellyfish, have evolved to become bioluminescent due to their diet. When they eat other bioluminescent organisms, they borrow that chemical that allows them to produce light within their bodies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Other sea creatures, like angler fish that have that ball of light that glows and lures in prey, and flashes light to repel predators, get their bioluminescence from a certain bacteria called photobacterium.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“And the standard rule of thumb is that, what glows in the ocean attracts and what flashes repel,” said Steve Haddock, a senior scientist at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute who researches bioluminescence organisms. He also runs a citizen science website, \u003ca href=\"https://jellywatch.org/\">JellyWatch.org\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1993933\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2160px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1993933\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2160\" height=\"1440\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812.jpg 2160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04812-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2160px) 100vw, 2160px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bioluminescence was captured at Seacliff State Beach in Santa Cruz on August 12, 2023. \u003ccite>(Johnny Chien)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Bioluminescence is a terrific deterrent against predators that would eat these organisms. It also functions like a flashlight for finding and attracting prey. Some organisms use their glowing abilities as camouflage — they turn light on to block out their silhouette, a kind of cloaking device — hiding them from potential predators.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are dinoflagellates? And how are they related to red tides?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Dinoflagellates are single-celled phytoplankton that are usually invisible to the naked eye. But when they are present in high numbers, they can turn the water a hazy green or even orange, depending on the pigments present in cells of that species. When left alone, dinoflagellates won’t produce any light, but when things like ocean waves, wind, and sea creatures disturb them at night, they become bioluminescent, dazzling with a blue light.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When water temperatures and conditions are just right, blooms of dinoflagellates can grow rapidly and accumulate in high concentrations, causing an event known as a red tide. Red tide is a term generally used to describe when phytoplankton or algae becomes so abundant that it discolors the water, sometimes appearing orange or red.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So you get a red tide in the daytime and blue tide in the nighttime,” said Haddock.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I swim or kayak in bioluminescent waters caused by a dinoflagellate red tide?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>A red tide of dinoflagellates is not to be mistaken with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1983775/as-algal-bloom-returns-to-the-bay-is-swimming-safe-for-humans-and-pets\">harmful red tides that killed many fish across the Bay Area \u003c/a>last year. The species that caused that red tide is called Heterosigma akashiwo, and although classified as not dangerous to humans, this species can suck up all the oxygen that fish need in the water, causing them to die.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most of the bioluminescent species of dinoflagellates are not dangerous to humans. And it should be fine to kayak or swim in bioluminescent waters, says Haddock. But during a red tide, when the water is murky brown, multiple species of different organisms may be present, including the ones that release toxins that might be harmful to humans and animals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some species of dinoflagellates can produce various toxins. Their decomposition releases the toxin into the water, and it can even enter the air and become a problem for marine animals and humans, according to Peter Roopnarine, a curator of geology at California Academy of Sciences.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Pay attention to your local advisories about water quality, and things like shellfish poisoning,” Haddock advised.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The rule of thumb is: If the water is a murky brown instead of the usual green or blue, it’s best to stay out of the water. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1983775/as-algal-bloom-returns-to-the-bay-is-swimming-safe-for-humans-and-pets\">Read more about the algal blooms during the red tide in the Bay Area here\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"biolumi\">\u003c/a>When can I see bioluminescence around the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Johnny Chien, a hobbyist photographer and Bay Area resident captured bioluminescence at \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/CurmoqxLFhQ/\">Seacliff State Beach\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/CvH30zHrCr-/?img_index=1\">Manresa State Beach\u003c/a> in Santa Cruz County last year. He says that when looking for bioluminescence, patience is key.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s one of those natural [phenomena] that is kind of like the Northern Lights,” said Chien. Chien says that because the wind and tide play important roles in the movement of these bioluminescent planktons, it’s worth it to walk around and explore the beaches when you’re out looking for them. “You could have combinations where there are blotches or certain parts of the beach that are active, certain parts are not,” said Chien.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1993934\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1620px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1993934\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1620\" height=\"2160\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243.jpg 1620w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243-800x1067.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243-1020x1360.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/DSC04243-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1620px) 100vw, 1620px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Johnny Chien, a hobbyist photographer and Bay Area resident captured bioluminescence at Manresa State Beach in Santa Cruz County. This photo was taken in July 2023 \u003ccite>(Johnny Chien)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>What time of year is best to see bioluminescence?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Bioluminescent planktons are around all year long in our California waters. But it’s only when there’s a high concentration of them that makes for a big bioluminescence event, says Haddock. And the best time to see one of those is usually from June until October.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Predicting a big bioluminescent event is not easy. It depends on many factors like temperature, the weather, wind, and tide. So with that in mind…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip #1: Watch the weather\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phytoplanktons like dinoflagellates can reproduce significantly in optimal warm temperatures. Very often, these warm temperatures can cause an increase in dinoflagellate populations, said Roopnarine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Haddock says that spotting bioluminescence is “best in the fall,” especially on a balmy day in late summer, “where it’s been relatively warm and calm.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sometimes conditions occur that lead to massive increases in abundance. These can be seasonal causes, when currents concentrate them in some areas, or when nutrient conditions become very favorable for population increase among bioluminescent planktons, said Roopnarine.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>A rainy or windy day followed by a calm day can kick off the sequence of events leading to a bloom. Rainy days will bring nutrients like phosphate and nitrate found in fertilizers used on land into the watershed and eventually into the sea. Wind will cause the mixing of deeper water, which has more nutrients, up to the surface, said Haddock.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Calm waters in a bay where the area is more enclosed and unaffected by the wind, could be a great spot to look for them after a windy or rainy day, said Haddock.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip #2: Look for red tides around surf zones\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Shreenivasan Manievannan, a professional photographer in the Bay Area, captured \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/CjQ_0vbjCFb/\">a video of the bioluminescence in 2022 in Pacifica\u003c/a> when he noticed the red tide event earlier in the day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I noticed a distinct change in [color in] the waves in the surf zone,” said Manievannan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else would you like to read a guide about right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip #3: Track those dinoflagellates (or follow those who do)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You might also be able to track dinoflagellates on \u003ca href=\"https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=1410906\">iNaturalist\u003c/a>, a crowdsourced species-identification system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also, stay tuned to local aquariums like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and social media updates on bioluminescence events.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tip #4: Consider the visibility\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For the best visibility, catch the bioluminescence on a moonless night or a night during a new moon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The darker the night, the better,” said Haddock.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 100%;\" align=\"center\">\n\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"500\" height=\"750\" src=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/Cuw1w37LlYl/embed\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003ch2>Where can I see bioluminescence around the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Haddock says that if the bioluminescence is very bright, you can see it really well on the shore or on the bluffs overlooking the shore.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But one of his best experiences seeing bioluminescence was on a rowboat in a bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Every drip of water from the paddle would create this concentric ring of lights that went out,” he said. “It’s just amazing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The two most common spots to check out bioluminescence are Tomales Bay in Marin County and Moss Landing in Monterey Bay where you can take advantage of a number of bioluminescent tours organized by kayaking companies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Santa Cruz county, residents have spotted bioluminescence on the shores of Manresa State Beach in Aptos, Seacliff State Beach, \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu4fsapr3kH/\">Rio Del Mar State Beach\u003c/a>, Shark Fin Cove in Davenport, Platforms Beach and Sumner Beach in Aptos. \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/Bioluminescent-waves-glowing-in-Big-Sur-12556823.php\">Big Sur near Bixby Bridge\u003c/a> has been known to produce bioluminescence in 2018.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/x5ugV88_HTU'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/x5ugV88_HTU'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For folks who want to experience this event with others, Haddock advises checking out kayaking companies that offer bioluminescence tours. Bay Area kayak companies like \u003ca href=\"https://kayakconnection.com/\">Kayak Connection\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.bluewaterskayaking.com/\">Blue Waters Kayaking\u003c/a> offer bioluminescence tours every year from June until around November.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What’s it like to go on one of these bioluminescence tours via kayak — especially if you’re already a science lover? In 2023, Bay Area scientist Nuur Shaikh, who majored in biology in college, accompanied almost 20 other friends on \u003ca href=\"https://kayakconnection.com/\">a bioluminescence tour in Moss Landing, Santa Cruz\u003c/a>, where the tour guides brought them to the bioluminescent hot spots in Elkhorn Slough.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The current was basically pulling us toward the hot spots. We didn’t really have to row or anything,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the way to the bioluminescent hot spots, Shaikh and her group passed by patches of algae. “So you could pick up a piece of algae and you can kind of see the [bioluminescent] plankton that’s stuck on those strands,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When she twirled her fingers in the water, she said the water would light up for a microsecond, making it look like glitter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They kind of sparkle a little,” she said. “They look like fairy dust.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story was originally published on August 10, 2023.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2024. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Bay Area Red Tide Crisis Ends, Watchdog Group Declares Algae Bloom Over",
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"content": "\u003cp>The red tide that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1983631/last-summers-fish-killing-algae-bloom-is-back-in-the-bay\">gave East Bay waters a light brown sheen\u003c/a> earlier this month is likely over, declared the environmental watchdog group San Francisco Baykeeper Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I would say this bloom is done for now,” said the group’s staff scientist \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/Ian__Wren\">Ian Wren\u003c/a> on a boat under the eastern half of the Bay Bridge, where the water was olive green instead of a murky tea color brought on by the bloom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Almost overnight the bloom died and the water was crystal clear,” he added.[pullquote size=\"medium\" align=\"right\" citation=\"Eileen White, executive officer, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board\"]‘We don’t have enough knowledge of the species. Warmer weather could bring it back and we will continue to monitor the situation.’[/pullquote]Even though the red tide has dissipated, Eileen White, executive officer of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, is hesitant “to declare victory.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It is still summertime and at this time I am cautiously optimistic,” she said. “We don’t have enough knowledge of the species. Warmer weather could bring it back and we will continue to monitor the situation.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last year the red tide — literally billions of tiny algae called \u003ca href=\"https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/toxicity-toxic-alga-heterosigma-akashiwo-puget-sound/\">Heterosigma akashiwo\u003c/a> — killed an immeasurable amount of fish. This year, the algae killed fewer than 100, according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sf-bay-harmful-algae-bloom-2023\">a state-run citizen science project\u003c/a>. Sitings of important Bay Area species, including sturgeons, bat rays and crabs, were among the dead.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983935\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1983935\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"The wake of a boat on the water.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Waves from the San Francisco Baykeeper splash in Oakland, on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I am so happy it’s only 85 fish and I am glad it didn’t spread to the South Bay,” White said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the last week, Wren said citizen scientists monitoring the bloom looked at bay water “under the microscope and couldn’t find any of the problem algae.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The microscopic critter looks like a swimming potato chip with a tail, said Raphael Kudela, a phytoplankton ecologist at UC Santa Cruz. He said the organism thrives in the bay because the shallow water warms up quickly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s just really happy when it’s in the bay,” he said. “As long as it’s happy, it’s just going to keep going, and going, and going.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wren, with SF Baykeeper, isn’t exactly sure what cut the bloom short this year. Still, he said there are a few theories as to why the algae didn’t return in force: it could have been too cloudy decreasing light, it wasn’t warm enough, the bay waters mixed causing the algae to die off or there weren’t enough concentrations of tiny particles in the water that the algae like to dine on.[pullquote size=\"medium\" align=\"right\" citation=\"Ian Wren, staff scientist, SF Baykeeper\"]‘With the bloom getting so big and widespread last year, it is highly likely a lot more cysts are present throughout the bay, ready to spark again.’[/pullquote]Wren said output from the region’s 37 regional wastewater treatments is a big part of why the algae blooms can get so bad. The wastewater includes nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, which the algae go to town on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There could have been a lower level of nutrients to start with and this bloom could have just fizzled out naturally, eating what it could and never having the chance to take off,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Scientists like Wren and Peter Roopnarine, curator of invertebrate zoology and geology at the California Academy of Sciences, said humans are the main reason why this algae bloom got so bad. He blames wastewater agencies almost continually pumping nutrient-filled water into the bay and a warming world because of the burning of fossil fuels globally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983936\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1983936\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Small boats and buildings along a waterfront.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The San Francisco Baykeeper is seen in the Oakland Marina in Oakland on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s almost all about us to blame,” said Roopnarine. “The bay is kind of a gigantic laboratory flask in some ways where you can put in ingredients, can mix them and it’s not easy for those to have an outside influence from the ocean.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wren said the tide is unlikely to return this year, but just because the red tide has disappeared doesn’t mean it won’t come back next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When under stress, the algae can create little cysts, like seeds, and plant themselves at the bottom of the bay, lying dormant until the right conditions for the organisms to proliferate return. Conditions include light, warmth and calm water.[aside tag=\"algae, algal bloom\" label=\"More Related Stories\"]“With the bloom getting so big and widespread last year, it is highly likely a lot more cysts are present throughout the bay, ready to spark again,” Wren said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s sort of like a long-term easter egg hunt with potentially deadly consequences for fish, Wren said. The idea is that when the algae are present, the water holds less oxygen, killing the fish. The algae are \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1983775/as-algal-bloom-returns-to-the-bay-is-swimming-safe-for-humans-and-pets\">not known to have any direct harmful effects on humans or mammals\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Given that we have had two back-to-back years of blooms, this likely could be the new normal,” he said. “We might see small, medium and large blooms on an annual basis.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A new normal because Wren said climate change likely means more algae blooms — and not just the lesser toxic bloom this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are other harmful algae in the bay that could just as easily have taken off with more lethal consequences to wildfire and humans,” he said. “These algae are just waiting to go nuts.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Even though the red tide has dissipated, Eileen White, executive officer of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, is hesitant “to declare victory.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It is still summertime and at this time I am cautiously optimistic,” she said. “We don’t have enough knowledge of the species. Warmer weather could bring it back and we will continue to monitor the situation.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last year the red tide — literally billions of tiny algae called \u003ca href=\"https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/toxicity-toxic-alga-heterosigma-akashiwo-puget-sound/\">Heterosigma akashiwo\u003c/a> — killed an immeasurable amount of fish. This year, the algae killed fewer than 100, according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sf-bay-harmful-algae-bloom-2023\">a state-run citizen science project\u003c/a>. Sitings of important Bay Area species, including sturgeons, bat rays and crabs, were among the dead.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983935\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1983935\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"The wake of a boat on the water.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67934_20230814-SFBaykeeper-04-JY-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Waves from the San Francisco Baykeeper splash in Oakland, on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I am so happy it’s only 85 fish and I am glad it didn’t spread to the South Bay,” White said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the last week, Wren said citizen scientists monitoring the bloom looked at bay water “under the microscope and couldn’t find any of the problem algae.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The microscopic critter looks like a swimming potato chip with a tail, said Raphael Kudela, a phytoplankton ecologist at UC Santa Cruz. He said the organism thrives in the bay because the shallow water warms up quickly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s just really happy when it’s in the bay,” he said. “As long as it’s happy, it’s just going to keep going, and going, and going.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wren, with SF Baykeeper, isn’t exactly sure what cut the bloom short this year. Still, he said there are a few theories as to why the algae didn’t return in force: it could have been too cloudy decreasing light, it wasn’t warm enough, the bay waters mixed causing the algae to die off or there weren’t enough concentrations of tiny particles in the water that the algae like to dine on.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Wren said output from the region’s 37 regional wastewater treatments is a big part of why the algae blooms can get so bad. The wastewater includes nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, which the algae go to town on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There could have been a lower level of nutrients to start with and this bloom could have just fizzled out naturally, eating what it could and never having the chance to take off,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Scientists like Wren and Peter Roopnarine, curator of invertebrate zoology and geology at the California Academy of Sciences, said humans are the main reason why this algae bloom got so bad. He blames wastewater agencies almost continually pumping nutrient-filled water into the bay and a warming world because of the burning of fossil fuels globally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983936\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1983936\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Small boats and buildings along a waterfront.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67935_20230814-SFBaykeeper-06-JY-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The San Francisco Baykeeper is seen in the Oakland Marina in Oakland on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s almost all about us to blame,” said Roopnarine. “The bay is kind of a gigantic laboratory flask in some ways where you can put in ingredients, can mix them and it’s not easy for those to have an outside influence from the ocean.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wren said the tide is unlikely to return this year, but just because the red tide has disappeared doesn’t mean it won’t come back next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When under stress, the algae can create little cysts, like seeds, and plant themselves at the bottom of the bay, lying dormant until the right conditions for the organisms to proliferate return. Conditions include light, warmth and calm water.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“With the bloom getting so big and widespread last year, it is highly likely a lot more cysts are present throughout the bay, ready to spark again,” Wren said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s sort of like a long-term easter egg hunt with potentially deadly consequences for fish, Wren said. The idea is that when the algae are present, the water holds less oxygen, killing the fish. The algae are \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1983775/as-algal-bloom-returns-to-the-bay-is-swimming-safe-for-humans-and-pets\">not known to have any direct harmful effects on humans or mammals\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Given that we have had two back-to-back years of blooms, this likely could be the new normal,” he said. “We might see small, medium and large blooms on an annual basis.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A new normal because Wren said climate change likely means more algae blooms — and not just the lesser toxic bloom this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are other harmful algae in the bay that could just as easily have taken off with more lethal consequences to wildfire and humans,” he said. “These algae are just waiting to go nuts.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "Algal Blooms in the Bay Area: What You Need to Know About Swimming Safety",
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"content": "\u003cp>The red tide that killed an immeasurable number of fish in San Francisco Bay last year has again emerged, covering parts of the bay in a light brown sheen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state agency in charge of regulating flows into the bay held a press conference in early August alerting the public about the return of the tea-colored water. This alert came after an environmental watchdog group, San Francisco Baykeeper, received a series of calls at the end of July about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1983631/last-summers-fish-killing-algae-bloom-is-back-in-the-bay\">a reddish-brown film floating on the surface of the water in places like Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany and Tiburon\u003c/a>.[aside postID=science_1983631 hero='https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg']Environmental scientists believe the algal bloom, while a natural occurrence and likely not harmful to human health, is fueled by treated sewage put out by wastewater treatment plants across the Bay Area — and could be worsened by climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Scientists aren’t sure how large this bloom will grow or how many fish will die, but they are examining the organism closely. Still, scientists are sure of one thing: Humans are a big part of the problem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#algaebloomsafepets\">Is the red tide harmful to humans or pets?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#reportalgaebloom\">What should I do if I find a red tide or a dead fish?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#algaesafetofish\">Can I still fish in the bay?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#redtideclimatechange\">How is the red tide related to climate change?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“It’s almost all about us to blame,” said Peter Roopnarine, curator of invertebrate zoology & geology at the California Academy of Sciences. “The bay is kind of a gigantic laboratory flask in some ways where you can put in ingredients, can mix them and it’s not easy for those to have an outside influence from the ocean.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what you need to know about this latest algal bloom.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What is red tide?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Ominous sounding, the term red tide is broadly defined. It typically means anytime a bloom of phytoplankton — microscopic plant-like organisms that are the base of the marine food web — discolor a body of water to the point it is visible to the human eye.[aside postID='news_11910495,science_1983522,news_11953853,news_11953794' label='More Outdoor Guides From KQED']Red tides aren’t always red. They can in fact range from rusty orange to brown to green, but millions (if not billions or trillions) of these little creatures are needed for a red tide to be visible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Not every red tide, or algal bloom, is toxic — although they can be. The species behind the recurring algal bloom in San Francisco Bay is called \u003ca href=\"https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/toxicity-toxic-alga-heterosigma-akashiwo-puget-sound/\">Heterosigma akashiwo\u003c/a> and \u003cem>isn’t\u003c/em> known at this time to be toxic to humans (see more below). The microscopic critter looks like a swimming potato chip with a tail, said Raphael Kudela, a phytoplankton ecologist at UC Santa Cruz.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He said the organism thrives in the bay because the shallow water warms up quickly. Plus, it’s full of tasty treats it likes to fill up on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s just really happy when it’s in the bay,” he said. “As long as it’s happy, it’s just going to keep going, and going, and going. And that’s basically what a red tide is.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983659\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1983659\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut.jpg\" alt=\"White sailboats float in reddish brown water.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Reddish-brown water due to an algae bloom can be seen in the Berkeley Marina on July 31, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"algaebloomsafepets\">\u003c/a>Is the red tide harmful to humans or pets??\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Scientists don’t think the red tide in the bay harms human health or pets, but they are hesitant to say that for certain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For that reason, experts do not recommend swimming in — or otherwise coming into contact with — murky water.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>David Senn, senior scientist at the San Francisco Estuary Institute, (SFEI) said there’s very little information available about the toxicity of the algae on people when they come in contact with it. That’s why the general guidance is: Don’t take a dip into areas of the bay where blooms are present.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It makes sense to avoid discolored water in general, particularly in this case,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What is known is that an algae bloom of this nature often kills fish by eliminating the oxygen they need to breathe in the water. (Jump to more information about \u003ca href=\"#reportalgaebloom\">what to do if you find a dead fish or other organism near a red tide.\u003c/a>)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983788\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1983788\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"961\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray-800x400.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray-1020x511.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray-160x80.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray-768x384.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray-1536x769.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A photo submitted by Damon Tighe to inaturalist.org, showing a dead bat ray found in Emeryville. \u003ccite>(Damon Tighe via inaturalist.org)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But there is a caveat for humans, said Kudela at UC Santa Cruz. Dense red tides are often accompanied by organic material and bacteria, which \u003cem>can\u003c/em> harm human health.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The Heterosigma is not going to harm humans or dogs. But just being in that organic soup, you could be exposed to pathogenic bacteria or other things,” he said. “If the water is super thick and red, you probably don’t want to be in it anyway.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In short: While the risks are probably low, it’s just a good idea to keep yourself — and your pets — out of a body of water that has a red tide.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"reportalgaebloom\">\u003c/a>What do I do if I spot a red tide??\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>To report a red tide or algae bloom you can reach SF Baykeeper’s pollution hotline by:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Calling 1-800-KEEP-Bay.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Emailing \u003ca href=\"mailto:hotline@baykeeper.org\">hotline@baykeeper.org.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://baykeeper.org/content/report-pollution\">Filling out a form online\u003c/a> to submit a confidential pollution tip.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Algal blooms can also be reported to the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Freshwater and Estuarine Harmful Algal Bloom (FHAB) Program. You can reach the agency hotline by:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Calling 1-844-729-6466.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Emailing \u003ca href=\"mailto:CyanoHAB.Reports@waterboards.ca.gov\">CyanoHAB.Reports@waterboards.ca.gov.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Filling out\u003ca href=\"https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/do/bloomreport.html\"> a digital form to submit an algal bloom report\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you’re reporting a red tide, be sure to include the time, date, location and a description of what you saw.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Spotted a dead fish near a red tide?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To report a dead fish in an area where there is red tide present, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.inaturalist.org/\">download the app iNaturalist\u003c/a>. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is collecting \u003ca href=\"https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sf-bay-harmful-algae-bloom-2023\">these observations of dead organisms related to the algae bloom\u003c/a> in San Francisco Bay, so make sure you log a photo, location and (if possible) species.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://oaklandside.org/2023/08/03/harmful-algae-bloom-red-tide-bay-area-lake-merritt-inaturalist-project-research/\">Read more about how to report dead fish using iNaturalist from The Oaklandside\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983783\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1983783\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1062\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map-800x443.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map-1020x564.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map-160x89.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map-768x425.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map-1536x850.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map-672x372.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A map of the Bay Area on inaturalist.org showing user reports of dead organisms around a red tide \u003ccite>(inaturalist.org)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"algaesafetofish\">\u003c/a>Can I continue fishing in the bay with the algae present?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>UC Santa Cruz’s Kudela said it’s perfectly fine to continue fishing in the bay, even in areas where the algae bloom is present because the algae do not contaminate the meat of the fish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>‘While it can kill the fish, if you’re eating the meat and cleaning it, there’s no risk,” Kudela said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s up to you whether you want to fish or eat stressed fish, but there’s nothing wrong with fishing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for more background on the 2023 algal bloom.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What is causing this year’s algal bloom?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Heterosigma akashiwo got lucky in 2023 — for the second year in a row.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A series of environmental conditions are allowing this minuscule creature to show up en masse. This organism needs four things to flourish: light, warm water, relatively calm water and oodles of food. It got all four this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Scientists think the organism deposited itself in sediment under the bay after it died off last year, acting like a dormant seed until the right conditions allow it to grow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year, the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board has confirmed the organism in bay waters near Emeryville, Albany, the Berkeley Marina, Richardson Bay and Belvedere Cove.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since the bay’s east side is often shallow — water heats up faster there than in other parts of the region — the red tide was first spotted there, likely because it’s an ideal place for the algae to thrive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: Is there another guide to something you’d like to read?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“It’s definitely responding to warm temperatures,” said UC Santa Cruz’s Kudela. The organisms swim near the water’s surface during daytime hours to gather more light and swim toward nutrients.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With winter storms long in the rearview mirror, tides in the bay also are at their mellowest point of the year, which decreases ocean water circulation into the bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The algae also have a lot to eat for several reasons. They munch on tiny particles, nutrients of nitrogen and phosphorus. While naturally occurring, there is an influx of these nutrients into the bay from 37 wastewater treatment plants that discharge treated sewage into the bay. This rush of nutrients provides a buffet for the algae to feast upon, allowing them to grow voraciously.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“San Francisco Bay has some of the highest levels of nutrient pollution of any estuary in the world,” said Jon Rosenfield, senior scientist with SF Baykeeper.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983657\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1983657\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Dark reddish-orange looking water splashes agains rocks in the foreground with the San Francisco skyline in the distance.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An algae bloom in the San Francisco Bay near the Berkeley Marina on July 31, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>When will the red tide go away?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In the near term, scientists say nothing can be done to stop a red tide once it shows up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You just have to wait for conditions to change,” said Kudela.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The options are limited. The algae can consume all the nutrients like PAC-MAN eating dots in a video game until there isn’t enough left to support the organism. Or a heavy rain storm or a wind event can churn up the bay, altering the water’s temperature, and reversing the conditions that can support it. Some scientists think that’s what caused the red tide to dissipate last year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We had some really big wind events, and it was gone,” said William Cochlan, a marine biologist and an emeritus professor at San Francisco State University. “The winds stir up the whole system, they don’t get enough light and that’s usually the end of the bloom.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the algae, in this case, are tricksters. Scientists believe that when their conditions change, they produce a cyst and embed themselves into the sediment at the bottom of the bay, not emerging again until the right conditions persist for them to grow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>SFEI’s Senn said they don’t yet know what triggers the cysts to hatch. His team is testing the bay’s water and monitoring satellite imagery to see if the bloom is expanding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What struck the match last year was a mystery. But once the match was struck, it was enough for this organism to get a toehold and then it had fuel to continue to grow,” said Senn.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are scientists and officials doing to address the red tide?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In the long term, the region’s 37 wastewater treatment plants can limit the nutrient pollution they dump into the San Francisco Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These plants regularly discharge treated sewage water full of tiny particles, which algae love to devour. Cochlan said these plants contribute “the vast majority” of the nutrients (or algae food) into the bay, especially during the summer when the water is warmer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Next year, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board will consider changing its rules for these plants, when their permits are up for renewal. This is an opportunity for regulators to clamp down on the nutrient load the plants are allowed to release.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While these plants treat the sewage, most do not filter out all the nutrients before discharging the water into the bay. Fixing the problem could cost at least $12 billion and maybe twice that much, according to Bay Area Clean Water Agencies, which represent local water districts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some plants are already redesigning their facilities to reduce the amount of nutrients released into the bay, said Eileen White, the water board executive officer. But not all plants are doing that — and there is currently no formal requirement for plant operators to reduce the discharged nutrient loads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Climate scientists also say red tides will likely occur more often as the climate warms and raises water temperatures. The even bigger fix is addressing climate change at its root by ending the burning of fossil fuels that cause global warming.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"redtideclimatechange\">\u003c/a>What does climate change have to do with red tides?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Climate change will likely increase the frequency of red tides because the bay and ocean will be warmer. The bay could also absorb more runoff during significant wet years and less water during periods of drought. This off-and-on cycle could accentuate the warm and relatively calm conditions the algae proliferate in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We could expect more unpredictable and more frequent algal blooms of all kinds,” said Kudela at UC Santa Cruz. “It’s not surprising that we’re seeing bigger and longer-lasting blooms as the climate shifts.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The increasing water temperature is critical to the algae’s lifespan, and a warming climate only increases the odds of the species thriving in the bay, said San Francisco State University’s Cochlan.\u003cbr>\n“We may be exacerbating these plumes, making them more frequent, of greater duration and more intense by increasing temperature through climate change,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have to expect to see these changes in the bay or the coast with climate change,” Cochlan said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cleaning up what the treatment plants dump into the bay and warming water is “like a one-two punch — and we really need to tackle both of the problems,” said Emily Jeffers, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“But the one that we can address more readily and more quickly is the nutrient loads from the wastewater-treatment facilities.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Is the Bay Area red tide related to the algal bloom off the Southern California coast?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The red tide in San Francisco Bay is unrelated to \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-07-07/as-toxic-algae-bloom-afflicts-california-coast-wildlife-care-center-calls-for-aid\">the algal bloom in the Pacific Ocean, currently off the coast of Southern California\u003c/a>. The organism causing the death of dolphins and sea lions is \u003ca href=\"https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/toxic-algal-bloom-suspected-dolphin-and-sea-lion-deaths-southern-california\">a different type of algae, Pseudo-nitzschia\u003c/a>, that causes the production of a neurotoxin called domoic acid.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That toxin is transmitted via the complex food web. Birds and marine mammals can die when ingesting the toxin in animals and fish that they eat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They get a big dose of domoic acid; it causes brain damage,” said Kudela. “Humans can get the same thing, but almost nobody in California gets sick because it’s super well regulated. But it can get into the shellfish and things like spiny lobster.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The algae bloom in the bay and in the Pacific Ocean are similar because they’re both phytoplankton blooms and flourish in relatively warmer water, although at somewhat different temperatures. The more dangerous algae currently circulating in the Pacific Ocean could spread into the bay if the conditions are right. But Kudela said the likelihood of that happening is slim because the bay is consistently too warm for the species.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2023. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[hearken id=\"10483\" src=\"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "That 'red tide' is back in parts of the San Francisco Bay Area. Here's what you need to know about swimming near it, pet safety and how this 2023 algae is related to climate change.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The red tide that killed an immeasurable number of fish in San Francisco Bay last year has again emerged, covering parts of the bay in a light brown sheen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state agency in charge of regulating flows into the bay held a press conference in early August alerting the public about the return of the tea-colored water. This alert came after an environmental watchdog group, San Francisco Baykeeper, received a series of calls at the end of July about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1983631/last-summers-fish-killing-algae-bloom-is-back-in-the-bay\">a reddish-brown film floating on the surface of the water in places like Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany and Tiburon\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Environmental scientists believe the algal bloom, while a natural occurrence and likely not harmful to human health, is fueled by treated sewage put out by wastewater treatment plants across the Bay Area — and could be worsened by climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Scientists aren’t sure how large this bloom will grow or how many fish will die, but they are examining the organism closely. Still, scientists are sure of one thing: Humans are a big part of the problem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#algaebloomsafepets\">Is the red tide harmful to humans or pets?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#reportalgaebloom\">What should I do if I find a red tide or a dead fish?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#algaesafetofish\">Can I still fish in the bay?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#redtideclimatechange\">How is the red tide related to climate change?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“It’s almost all about us to blame,” said Peter Roopnarine, curator of invertebrate zoology & geology at the California Academy of Sciences. “The bay is kind of a gigantic laboratory flask in some ways where you can put in ingredients, can mix them and it’s not easy for those to have an outside influence from the ocean.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what you need to know about this latest algal bloom.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What is red tide?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Ominous sounding, the term red tide is broadly defined. It typically means anytime a bloom of phytoplankton — microscopic plant-like organisms that are the base of the marine food web — discolor a body of water to the point it is visible to the human eye.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Red tides aren’t always red. They can in fact range from rusty orange to brown to green, but millions (if not billions or trillions) of these little creatures are needed for a red tide to be visible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Not every red tide, or algal bloom, is toxic — although they can be. The species behind the recurring algal bloom in San Francisco Bay is called \u003ca href=\"https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/toxicity-toxic-alga-heterosigma-akashiwo-puget-sound/\">Heterosigma akashiwo\u003c/a> and \u003cem>isn’t\u003c/em> known at this time to be toxic to humans (see more below). The microscopic critter looks like a swimming potato chip with a tail, said Raphael Kudela, a phytoplankton ecologist at UC Santa Cruz.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He said the organism thrives in the bay because the shallow water warms up quickly. Plus, it’s full of tasty treats it likes to fill up on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s just really happy when it’s in the bay,” he said. “As long as it’s happy, it’s just going to keep going, and going, and going. And that’s basically what a red tide is.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983659\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1983659\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut.jpg\" alt=\"White sailboats float in reddish brown water.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Reddish-brown water due to an algae bloom can be seen in the Berkeley Marina on July 31, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"algaebloomsafepets\">\u003c/a>Is the red tide harmful to humans or pets??\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Scientists don’t think the red tide in the bay harms human health or pets, but they are hesitant to say that for certain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For that reason, experts do not recommend swimming in — or otherwise coming into contact with — murky water.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>David Senn, senior scientist at the San Francisco Estuary Institute, (SFEI) said there’s very little information available about the toxicity of the algae on people when they come in contact with it. That’s why the general guidance is: Don’t take a dip into areas of the bay where blooms are present.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It makes sense to avoid discolored water in general, particularly in this case,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What is known is that an algae bloom of this nature often kills fish by eliminating the oxygen they need to breathe in the water. (Jump to more information about \u003ca href=\"#reportalgaebloom\">what to do if you find a dead fish or other organism near a red tide.\u003c/a>)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983788\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1983788\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"961\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray-800x400.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray-1020x511.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray-160x80.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray-768x384.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/bat-ray-1536x769.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A photo submitted by Damon Tighe to inaturalist.org, showing a dead bat ray found in Emeryville. \u003ccite>(Damon Tighe via inaturalist.org)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But there is a caveat for humans, said Kudela at UC Santa Cruz. Dense red tides are often accompanied by organic material and bacteria, which \u003cem>can\u003c/em> harm human health.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The Heterosigma is not going to harm humans or dogs. But just being in that organic soup, you could be exposed to pathogenic bacteria or other things,” he said. “If the water is super thick and red, you probably don’t want to be in it anyway.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In short: While the risks are probably low, it’s just a good idea to keep yourself — and your pets — out of a body of water that has a red tide.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"reportalgaebloom\">\u003c/a>What do I do if I spot a red tide??\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>To report a red tide or algae bloom you can reach SF Baykeeper’s pollution hotline by:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Calling 1-800-KEEP-Bay.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Emailing \u003ca href=\"mailto:hotline@baykeeper.org\">hotline@baykeeper.org.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://baykeeper.org/content/report-pollution\">Filling out a form online\u003c/a> to submit a confidential pollution tip.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Algal blooms can also be reported to the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Freshwater and Estuarine Harmful Algal Bloom (FHAB) Program. You can reach the agency hotline by:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Calling 1-844-729-6466.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Emailing \u003ca href=\"mailto:CyanoHAB.Reports@waterboards.ca.gov\">CyanoHAB.Reports@waterboards.ca.gov.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Filling out\u003ca href=\"https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/do/bloomreport.html\"> a digital form to submit an algal bloom report\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you’re reporting a red tide, be sure to include the time, date, location and a description of what you saw.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Spotted a dead fish near a red tide?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To report a dead fish in an area where there is red tide present, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.inaturalist.org/\">download the app iNaturalist\u003c/a>. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is collecting \u003ca href=\"https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sf-bay-harmful-algae-bloom-2023\">these observations of dead organisms related to the algae bloom\u003c/a> in San Francisco Bay, so make sure you log a photo, location and (if possible) species.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://oaklandside.org/2023/08/03/harmful-algae-bloom-red-tide-bay-area-lake-merritt-inaturalist-project-research/\">Read more about how to report dead fish using iNaturalist from The Oaklandside\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983783\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1983783\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1062\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map-800x443.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map-1020x564.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map-160x89.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map-768x425.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map-1536x850.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/algal-bloom-map-672x372.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A map of the Bay Area on inaturalist.org showing user reports of dead organisms around a red tide \u003ccite>(inaturalist.org)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"algaesafetofish\">\u003c/a>Can I continue fishing in the bay with the algae present?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>UC Santa Cruz’s Kudela said it’s perfectly fine to continue fishing in the bay, even in areas where the algae bloom is present because the algae do not contaminate the meat of the fish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>‘While it can kill the fish, if you’re eating the meat and cleaning it, there’s no risk,” Kudela said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s up to you whether you want to fish or eat stressed fish, but there’s nothing wrong with fishing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for more background on the 2023 algal bloom.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What is causing this year’s algal bloom?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Heterosigma akashiwo got lucky in 2023 — for the second year in a row.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A series of environmental conditions are allowing this minuscule creature to show up en masse. This organism needs four things to flourish: light, warm water, relatively calm water and oodles of food. It got all four this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Scientists think the organism deposited itself in sediment under the bay after it died off last year, acting like a dormant seed until the right conditions allow it to grow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year, the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board has confirmed the organism in bay waters near Emeryville, Albany, the Berkeley Marina, Richardson Bay and Belvedere Cove.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since the bay’s east side is often shallow — water heats up faster there than in other parts of the region — the red tide was first spotted there, likely because it’s an ideal place for the algae to thrive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: Is there another guide to something you’d like to read?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“It’s definitely responding to warm temperatures,” said UC Santa Cruz’s Kudela. The organisms swim near the water’s surface during daytime hours to gather more light and swim toward nutrients.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With winter storms long in the rearview mirror, tides in the bay also are at their mellowest point of the year, which decreases ocean water circulation into the bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The algae also have a lot to eat for several reasons. They munch on tiny particles, nutrients of nitrogen and phosphorus. While naturally occurring, there is an influx of these nutrients into the bay from 37 wastewater treatment plants that discharge treated sewage into the bay. This rush of nutrients provides a buffet for the algae to feast upon, allowing them to grow voraciously.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“San Francisco Bay has some of the highest levels of nutrient pollution of any estuary in the world,” said Jon Rosenfield, senior scientist with SF Baykeeper.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983657\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1983657\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Dark reddish-orange looking water splashes agains rocks in the foreground with the San Francisco skyline in the distance.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67422_230731-RedTideAlgae-18-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An algae bloom in the San Francisco Bay near the Berkeley Marina on July 31, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>When will the red tide go away?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In the near term, scientists say nothing can be done to stop a red tide once it shows up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You just have to wait for conditions to change,” said Kudela.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The options are limited. The algae can consume all the nutrients like PAC-MAN eating dots in a video game until there isn’t enough left to support the organism. Or a heavy rain storm or a wind event can churn up the bay, altering the water’s temperature, and reversing the conditions that can support it. Some scientists think that’s what caused the red tide to dissipate last year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We had some really big wind events, and it was gone,” said William Cochlan, a marine biologist and an emeritus professor at San Francisco State University. “The winds stir up the whole system, they don’t get enough light and that’s usually the end of the bloom.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the algae, in this case, are tricksters. Scientists believe that when their conditions change, they produce a cyst and embed themselves into the sediment at the bottom of the bay, not emerging again until the right conditions persist for them to grow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>SFEI’s Senn said they don’t yet know what triggers the cysts to hatch. His team is testing the bay’s water and monitoring satellite imagery to see if the bloom is expanding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What struck the match last year was a mystery. But once the match was struck, it was enough for this organism to get a toehold and then it had fuel to continue to grow,” said Senn.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are scientists and officials doing to address the red tide?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In the long term, the region’s 37 wastewater treatment plants can limit the nutrient pollution they dump into the San Francisco Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These plants regularly discharge treated sewage water full of tiny particles, which algae love to devour. Cochlan said these plants contribute “the vast majority” of the nutrients (or algae food) into the bay, especially during the summer when the water is warmer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Next year, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board will consider changing its rules for these plants, when their permits are up for renewal. This is an opportunity for regulators to clamp down on the nutrient load the plants are allowed to release.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While these plants treat the sewage, most do not filter out all the nutrients before discharging the water into the bay. Fixing the problem could cost at least $12 billion and maybe twice that much, according to Bay Area Clean Water Agencies, which represent local water districts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some plants are already redesigning their facilities to reduce the amount of nutrients released into the bay, said Eileen White, the water board executive officer. But not all plants are doing that — and there is currently no formal requirement for plant operators to reduce the discharged nutrient loads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Climate scientists also say red tides will likely occur more often as the climate warms and raises water temperatures. The even bigger fix is addressing climate change at its root by ending the burning of fossil fuels that cause global warming.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"redtideclimatechange\">\u003c/a>What does climate change have to do with red tides?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Climate change will likely increase the frequency of red tides because the bay and ocean will be warmer. The bay could also absorb more runoff during significant wet years and less water during periods of drought. This off-and-on cycle could accentuate the warm and relatively calm conditions the algae proliferate in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We could expect more unpredictable and more frequent algal blooms of all kinds,” said Kudela at UC Santa Cruz. “It’s not surprising that we’re seeing bigger and longer-lasting blooms as the climate shifts.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The increasing water temperature is critical to the algae’s lifespan, and a warming climate only increases the odds of the species thriving in the bay, said San Francisco State University’s Cochlan.\u003cbr>\n“We may be exacerbating these plumes, making them more frequent, of greater duration and more intense by increasing temperature through climate change,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have to expect to see these changes in the bay or the coast with climate change,” Cochlan said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cleaning up what the treatment plants dump into the bay and warming water is “like a one-two punch — and we really need to tackle both of the problems,” said Emily Jeffers, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“But the one that we can address more readily and more quickly is the nutrient loads from the wastewater-treatment facilities.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Is the Bay Area red tide related to the algal bloom off the Southern California coast?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The red tide in San Francisco Bay is unrelated to \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-07-07/as-toxic-algae-bloom-afflicts-california-coast-wildlife-care-center-calls-for-aid\">the algal bloom in the Pacific Ocean, currently off the coast of Southern California\u003c/a>. The organism causing the death of dolphins and sea lions is \u003ca href=\"https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/toxic-algal-bloom-suspected-dolphin-and-sea-lion-deaths-southern-california\">a different type of algae, Pseudo-nitzschia\u003c/a>, that causes the production of a neurotoxin called domoic acid.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That toxin is transmitted via the complex food web. Birds and marine mammals can die when ingesting the toxin in animals and fish that they eat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They get a big dose of domoic acid; it causes brain damage,” said Kudela. “Humans can get the same thing, but almost nobody in California gets sick because it’s super well regulated. But it can get into the shellfish and things like spiny lobster.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The algae bloom in the bay and in the Pacific Ocean are similar because they’re both phytoplankton blooms and flourish in relatively warmer water, although at somewhat different temperatures. The more dangerous algae currently circulating in the Pacific Ocean could spread into the bay if the conditions are right. But Kudela said the likelihood of that happening is slim because the bay is consistently too warm for the species.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2023. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Last Summer's Fish-Killing Algae Bloom Is Back in the Bay",
"headTitle": "Last Summer’s Fish-Killing Algae Bloom Is Back in the Bay | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>A red tide that has left a light-brown sheen on the water along parts of the East Bay shoreline is the same type of toxic algae bloom that killed thousands of fish in the San Francisco Bay last summer, a local environmental group warned on Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have confirmed with our partners that it’s the same species as last year,” Eileen White, executive officer of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sanfranciscobay/\">San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board\u003c/a>, said at a Monday afternoon press conference. She said the organism has so far been found in the bay waters near Emeryville, Albany, the Berkeley Marina, Richardson Bay and Belvedere Cove, as well as off the Marin County coast, near Muir Beach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The good news is we have not seen any marine animal deaths as a result of this algae bloom,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://baykeeper.org/\">San Francisco Baykeeper\u003c/a>’s pollution hotline lit up late last week with calls about the tea-colored water seen stretching from Emeryville to Albany, said Jon Rosenfield, the group’s senior scientist.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Two years in a row is quite alarming,” he said, noting that it remained unclear how bad the bloom will get. “There’s really nothing that people can do to stop a bloom like this once it’s started. It just has to burn itself out.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Red tides are fueled by elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus expelled into the water as a byproduct of treated sewage from wastewater treatment plants — leaving nutrients that algae love to nibble on. Such conditions can cause the algae to grow out of control and sometimes form a rust-colored hue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983659\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1983659\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut.jpg\" alt=\"White sailboats float in reddish brown water.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Reddish-brown water due to an algae bloom can be seen in the Berkeley Marina on July 31, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Not every algal bloom is harmful, some can even be beneficial to marine habitats. But others produce deadly blooms — as did the one \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11923920/dead-fish-are-piling-up-across-shores-of-san-francisco-bay-lake-merritt-as-algal-bloom-grows\">that emerged last August\u003c/a>. That algae species, identified as \u003ca href=\"https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/toxicity-toxic-alga-heterosigma-akashiwo-puget-sound/\">Heterosigma akashiwo\u003c/a>, and also believed to be the cause of the current bloom, killed an untold number fish over a matter of weeks, their rotting, fetid carcasses littered across Bay Area shorelines, including the banks of Lake Merritt.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The algae species emits a toxin that’s especially harmful to fish. It can also spur a biological reaction that depletes oxygen levels in the water, acerbating the marine death toll.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>David Senn, a senior scientist at the San Francisco Estuary Institute, said that while it’s too soon to tell, the current bloom may be the result of algae from last year that lay dormant in sediment over the winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not all that surprising that we’re seeing a reemergence of this again this summer,” said Senn, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfei.org/\">whose group\u003c/a> is using satellite imagery to track the bloom in real time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rosenfield, with SF Baykeeper, blames this and other recent harmful algal blooms on the region’s 37 wastewater plants that regularly discharge treated sewage into the bay. He said the regional water board has an opportunity next year to change permitting rules — when permits go up for renewal — to clamp down on the nutrient load the plants are allowed to release.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“San Francisco Bay has some of the highest levels of nutrient pollution of any estuary in the world,” he said. “The solution is to remove the fuel load, which means keeping those nutrients out of the bay waters\u003cem>.\u003c/em>”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although local wastewater treatment plants remove sewage, most do not filter out all the nutrients before discharging water back into the bay. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11926046/as-dead-fish-pile-up-the-economic-and-environmental-impact-of-the-red-tide-becomes-apparent\">Fixing the problem could cost at least $12 billion\u003c/a> and maybe twice that much, according to Bay Area Clean Water Agencies, which represent local water districts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside label=\"More on red tides\" postID=\"news_11926046,news_11923920,news_11924660\"]White, with the regional water board, said some local wastewater plants are already redesigning their facilities to reduce the amount of nutrients released into the bay. But she said the push is not uniform and, although it could ramp up next year, there is currently no formal requirement for plant operators to reduce the nutrient loads that are discharged.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Some of the wastewater agencies have already started planning, but knowing that it’s not like switching on a light switch, it’s going to take time to plan, design and construct,” said White, who formerly served as East Bay Municipal Utility District’s wastewater director.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Scientists also say red tides are likely to occur more often as the climate warms and raises water temperatures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>High nutrient loads and warming water is “like a one-two punch, and we really need to tackle both of the problems,” said Emily Jeffers, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “But the one that we can address more readily and more quickly is the nutrient loads from the wastewater-treatment facilities.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jeffers said she learned about the current algal bloom from her 8-year-old daughter, who attended summer camp at the Berkeley Marina last week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“She said some kids might go in the water and that she didn’t think that was a good idea,” Jeffers said of her daughter. “I told her that was smart.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>A red tide that has left a light-brown sheen on the water along parts of the East Bay shoreline is the same type of toxic algae bloom that killed thousands of fish in the San Francisco Bay last summer, a local environmental group warned on Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have confirmed with our partners that it’s the same species as last year,” Eileen White, executive officer of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sanfranciscobay/\">San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board\u003c/a>, said at a Monday afternoon press conference. She said the organism has so far been found in the bay waters near Emeryville, Albany, the Berkeley Marina, Richardson Bay and Belvedere Cove, as well as off the Marin County coast, near Muir Beach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The good news is we have not seen any marine animal deaths as a result of this algae bloom,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://baykeeper.org/\">San Francisco Baykeeper\u003c/a>’s pollution hotline lit up late last week with calls about the tea-colored water seen stretching from Emeryville to Albany, said Jon Rosenfield, the group’s senior scientist.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Two years in a row is quite alarming,” he said, noting that it remained unclear how bad the bloom will get. “There’s really nothing that people can do to stop a bloom like this once it’s started. It just has to burn itself out.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Red tides are fueled by elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus expelled into the water as a byproduct of treated sewage from wastewater treatment plants — leaving nutrients that algae love to nibble on. Such conditions can cause the algae to grow out of control and sometimes form a rust-colored hue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983659\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1983659\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut.jpg\" alt=\"White sailboats float in reddish brown water.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/08/RS67416_230731-RedTideAlgae-08-BL-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Reddish-brown water due to an algae bloom can be seen in the Berkeley Marina on July 31, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Not every algal bloom is harmful, some can even be beneficial to marine habitats. But others produce deadly blooms — as did the one \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11923920/dead-fish-are-piling-up-across-shores-of-san-francisco-bay-lake-merritt-as-algal-bloom-grows\">that emerged last August\u003c/a>. That algae species, identified as \u003ca href=\"https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/toxicity-toxic-alga-heterosigma-akashiwo-puget-sound/\">Heterosigma akashiwo\u003c/a>, and also believed to be the cause of the current bloom, killed an untold number fish over a matter of weeks, their rotting, fetid carcasses littered across Bay Area shorelines, including the banks of Lake Merritt.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The algae species emits a toxin that’s especially harmful to fish. It can also spur a biological reaction that depletes oxygen levels in the water, acerbating the marine death toll.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>David Senn, a senior scientist at the San Francisco Estuary Institute, said that while it’s too soon to tell, the current bloom may be the result of algae from last year that lay dormant in sediment over the winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not all that surprising that we’re seeing a reemergence of this again this summer,” said Senn, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfei.org/\">whose group\u003c/a> is using satellite imagery to track the bloom in real time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rosenfield, with SF Baykeeper, blames this and other recent harmful algal blooms on the region’s 37 wastewater plants that regularly discharge treated sewage into the bay. He said the regional water board has an opportunity next year to change permitting rules — when permits go up for renewal — to clamp down on the nutrient load the plants are allowed to release.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“San Francisco Bay has some of the highest levels of nutrient pollution of any estuary in the world,” he said. “The solution is to remove the fuel load, which means keeping those nutrients out of the bay waters\u003cem>.\u003c/em>”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although local wastewater treatment plants remove sewage, most do not filter out all the nutrients before discharging water back into the bay. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11926046/as-dead-fish-pile-up-the-economic-and-environmental-impact-of-the-red-tide-becomes-apparent\">Fixing the problem could cost at least $12 billion\u003c/a> and maybe twice that much, according to Bay Area Clean Water Agencies, which represent local water districts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>White, with the regional water board, said some local wastewater plants are already redesigning their facilities to reduce the amount of nutrients released into the bay. But she said the push is not uniform and, although it could ramp up next year, there is currently no formal requirement for plant operators to reduce the nutrient loads that are discharged.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Some of the wastewater agencies have already started planning, but knowing that it’s not like switching on a light switch, it’s going to take time to plan, design and construct,” said White, who formerly served as East Bay Municipal Utility District’s wastewater director.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Scientists also say red tides are likely to occur more often as the climate warms and raises water temperatures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>High nutrient loads and warming water is “like a one-two punch, and we really need to tackle both of the problems,” said Emily Jeffers, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “But the one that we can address more readily and more quickly is the nutrient loads from the wastewater-treatment facilities.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jeffers said she learned about the current algal bloom from her 8-year-old daughter, who attended summer camp at the Berkeley Marina last week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“She said some kids might go in the water and that she didn’t think that was a good idea,” Jeffers said of her daughter. “I told her that was smart.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "Sea Lions Are Sick and Dying Along Southern California's Coast. Here's What to Know",
"headTitle": "Sea Lions Are Sick and Dying Along Southern California’s Coast. Here’s What to Know | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>It looked like something out of an apocalyptic movie.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the past few weeks, droves of sick and dying sea animals have been washing up along the coast of Southern California, including beaches in Santa Barbara and Ventura.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The devastation has been caused by an outbreak of toxic algae on a scale never before seen in the region, according to NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast branch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As of last week, local officials had estimated that over 100 dolphins and over 500 sea lions had been killed by the algal bloom. It appears that the toxins are slowly spreading to Northern California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983431\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1983431 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-59-521_custom-7acc15af608abbdc21effcd064aed6e71dfa61e7-s1200-c85-800x460.jpg\" alt=\"Sea lions and a dolphin are seen lying on the sea shore.\" width=\"800\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-59-521_custom-7acc15af608abbdc21effcd064aed6e71dfa61e7-s1200-c85-800x460.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-59-521_custom-7acc15af608abbdc21effcd064aed6e71dfa61e7-s1200-c85-1020x586.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-59-521_custom-7acc15af608abbdc21effcd064aed6e71dfa61e7-s1200-c85-160x92.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-59-521_custom-7acc15af608abbdc21effcd064aed6e71dfa61e7-s1200-c85-768x441.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-59-521_custom-7acc15af608abbdc21effcd064aed6e71dfa61e7-s1200-c85.jpg 1046w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute has been able to rescue over 100 sea mammals that were suffering from the algae outbreak. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Samuel Dover, who leads Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute, has witnessed six algal blooms during his career and described the current one as the worst yet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The bloom is so much larger,” he told NPR. “This time, it’s in the center of the channel, where a lot of animals are.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What is an algal bloom?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Algae are usually benign plants, commonly seen in the form of pond scum or kelp. But under certain conditions, they can grow out of control and generate deadly toxins.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When that happens, it is known as a \u003ca href=\"https://www.noaa.gov/what-is-harmful-algal-bloom\">bloom\u003c/a>. It tends to be a problem for U.S. states near the country’s coast and the Great Lakes. Over the years, algal blooms have \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2018/09/03/641606668/as-climate-warms-algae-blooms-in-drinking-water-supplies\">contaminated\u003c/a> tap water, \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2019/07/09/739874122/toxic-algae-bloom-closes-25-beaches-on-mississippis-coast-fed-by-fresh-floodwate\">forced\u003c/a> beaches to close, \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2023/03/06/1161339697/what-to-know-red-tide-florida-beaches-algae\">discolored\u003c/a> coastal waters and led to the demise of countless animals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although algal blooms are considered a natural phenomenon, climate change and human activities do play a role in their frequency and intensity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In California, the algae outbreak is believed to have resulted from wind pushing water full of nutrients toward algae, making them grow. That process is not typically related to climate change, but it does not rule it out as a factor either, according to scientists at NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast branch.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are algae doing to the sea lions in California?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The bloom in California is producing domoic acid, which generally doesn’t affect humans but is poisonous to animals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When a sea creature suffers from domoic acid poisoning, it affects the animal’s brain and causes seizures, erratic behavior, bulging eyes and foaming at the mouth. Beachgoers have been warned to stay at least 50 feet away from sick animals in case they turn aggressive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983432\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1983432 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-34-04-1-_wide-0298a4fa48be217fb9eef8d674e930a04c358c9a-s1200-c85-800x450.jpg\" alt='The words \"Please keep back. Marine mammal rescue has been called\" is written on the sand, with a seal lying on the beach in the distance.' width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-34-04-1-_wide-0298a4fa48be217fb9eef8d674e930a04c358c9a-s1200-c85-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-34-04-1-_wide-0298a4fa48be217fb9eef8d674e930a04c358c9a-s1200-c85-1020x574.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-34-04-1-_wide-0298a4fa48be217fb9eef8d674e930a04c358c9a-s1200-c85-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-34-04-1-_wide-0298a4fa48be217fb9eef8d674e930a04c358c9a-s1200-c85-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-34-04-1-_wide-0298a4fa48be217fb9eef8d674e930a04c358c9a-s1200-c85.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Beachgoers have been asked to stay at least 50 feet away from animals poisoned by toxic algae because of the risk that the sea creatures may turn aggressive. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>There is no antidote or specific remedy for domoic acid poisoning. Veterinarians have been giving some animals antiseizure medicine and keeping them hydrated in hopes that the toxins will flush out of their bodies. The problem is that the longer the toxins are in an animal’s system, the more difficult it becomes to treat the poisoning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Adult pregnant sea lions have been the most severely affected by the outbreak, according to Dover, of Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>When will it get better?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>When Southern California was struck by an algal bloom last year, it lasted about six weeks, Dover said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Similarly, the current outbreak, in its eighth week, appears to be improving, and fewer sick animals are appearing on shores.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983433\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1983433 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/copy-of-430b7d55-5d0f-462b-a575-4679173d3bfd_wide-ee901cd15f80791a43dfdfef4a884dc7fcddf545-s1200-c85-800x450.jpg\" alt='A sea lion droops on some rocks behind yellow tape that says \"Fire Line Do Not Cross.\"' width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/copy-of-430b7d55-5d0f-462b-a575-4679173d3bfd_wide-ee901cd15f80791a43dfdfef4a884dc7fcddf545-s1200-c85-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/copy-of-430b7d55-5d0f-462b-a575-4679173d3bfd_wide-ee901cd15f80791a43dfdfef4a884dc7fcddf545-s1200-c85-1020x574.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/copy-of-430b7d55-5d0f-462b-a575-4679173d3bfd_wide-ee901cd15f80791a43dfdfef4a884dc7fcddf545-s1200-c85-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/copy-of-430b7d55-5d0f-462b-a575-4679173d3bfd_wide-ee901cd15f80791a43dfdfef4a884dc7fcddf545-s1200-c85-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/copy-of-430b7d55-5d0f-462b-a575-4679173d3bfd_wide-ee901cd15f80791a43dfdfef4a884dc7fcddf545-s1200-c85.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">There is no antidote or specific remedy for poisoning from domoic acid, the toxin that the algal bloom in California is producing. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>To compare, Dover said lately his volunteer group has been receiving about 40 to 50 reports of sick animals per day. A month ago, they were receiving 40 to 50 reports per hour, though many reports tend to be duplicates of the same animal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While that is a good sign, not much can be done to speed up the process. Harmful algal blooms are nearly impossible to clean, especially at the scale that has emerged near California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv class=\"fullattribution\">Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Sea+lions+are+sick+and+dying+along+Southern+California%27s+coast.+Here%27s+what+to+know&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAxOTAwOTE4MDEyMTkxMDAzNjczZDljZA004)\">\u003c/div>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>It looked like something out of an apocalyptic movie.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the past few weeks, droves of sick and dying sea animals have been washing up along the coast of Southern California, including beaches in Santa Barbara and Ventura.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The devastation has been caused by an outbreak of toxic algae on a scale never before seen in the region, according to NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast branch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As of last week, local officials had estimated that over 100 dolphins and over 500 sea lions had been killed by the algal bloom. It appears that the toxins are slowly spreading to Northern California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983431\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1983431 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-59-521_custom-7acc15af608abbdc21effcd064aed6e71dfa61e7-s1200-c85-800x460.jpg\" alt=\"Sea lions and a dolphin are seen lying on the sea shore.\" width=\"800\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-59-521_custom-7acc15af608abbdc21effcd064aed6e71dfa61e7-s1200-c85-800x460.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-59-521_custom-7acc15af608abbdc21effcd064aed6e71dfa61e7-s1200-c85-1020x586.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-59-521_custom-7acc15af608abbdc21effcd064aed6e71dfa61e7-s1200-c85-160x92.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-59-521_custom-7acc15af608abbdc21effcd064aed6e71dfa61e7-s1200-c85-768x441.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-59-521_custom-7acc15af608abbdc21effcd064aed6e71dfa61e7-s1200-c85.jpg 1046w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute has been able to rescue over 100 sea mammals that were suffering from the algae outbreak. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Samuel Dover, who leads Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute, has witnessed six algal blooms during his career and described the current one as the worst yet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The bloom is so much larger,” he told NPR. “This time, it’s in the center of the channel, where a lot of animals are.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What is an algal bloom?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Algae are usually benign plants, commonly seen in the form of pond scum or kelp. But under certain conditions, they can grow out of control and generate deadly toxins.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When that happens, it is known as a \u003ca href=\"https://www.noaa.gov/what-is-harmful-algal-bloom\">bloom\u003c/a>. It tends to be a problem for U.S. states near the country’s coast and the Great Lakes. Over the years, algal blooms have \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2018/09/03/641606668/as-climate-warms-algae-blooms-in-drinking-water-supplies\">contaminated\u003c/a> tap water, \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2019/07/09/739874122/toxic-algae-bloom-closes-25-beaches-on-mississippis-coast-fed-by-fresh-floodwate\">forced\u003c/a> beaches to close, \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2023/03/06/1161339697/what-to-know-red-tide-florida-beaches-algae\">discolored\u003c/a> coastal waters and led to the demise of countless animals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although algal blooms are considered a natural phenomenon, climate change and human activities do play a role in their frequency and intensity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In California, the algae outbreak is believed to have resulted from wind pushing water full of nutrients toward algae, making them grow. That process is not typically related to climate change, but it does not rule it out as a factor either, according to scientists at NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast branch.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are algae doing to the sea lions in California?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The bloom in California is producing domoic acid, which generally doesn’t affect humans but is poisonous to animals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When a sea creature suffers from domoic acid poisoning, it affects the animal’s brain and causes seizures, erratic behavior, bulging eyes and foaming at the mouth. Beachgoers have been warned to stay at least 50 feet away from sick animals in case they turn aggressive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983432\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1983432 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-34-04-1-_wide-0298a4fa48be217fb9eef8d674e930a04c358c9a-s1200-c85-800x450.jpg\" alt='The words \"Please keep back. Marine mammal rescue has been called\" is written on the sand, with a seal lying on the beach in the distance.' width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-34-04-1-_wide-0298a4fa48be217fb9eef8d674e930a04c358c9a-s1200-c85-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-34-04-1-_wide-0298a4fa48be217fb9eef8d674e930a04c358c9a-s1200-c85-1020x574.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-34-04-1-_wide-0298a4fa48be217fb9eef8d674e930a04c358c9a-s1200-c85-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-34-04-1-_wide-0298a4fa48be217fb9eef8d674e930a04c358c9a-s1200-c85-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/photo-2023-06-16-10-34-04-1-_wide-0298a4fa48be217fb9eef8d674e930a04c358c9a-s1200-c85.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Beachgoers have been asked to stay at least 50 feet away from animals poisoned by toxic algae because of the risk that the sea creatures may turn aggressive. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>There is no antidote or specific remedy for domoic acid poisoning. Veterinarians have been giving some animals antiseizure medicine and keeping them hydrated in hopes that the toxins will flush out of their bodies. The problem is that the longer the toxins are in an animal’s system, the more difficult it becomes to treat the poisoning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Adult pregnant sea lions have been the most severely affected by the outbreak, according to Dover, of Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>When will it get better?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>When Southern California was struck by an algal bloom last year, it lasted about six weeks, Dover said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Similarly, the current outbreak, in its eighth week, appears to be improving, and fewer sick animals are appearing on shores.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1983433\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1983433 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/copy-of-430b7d55-5d0f-462b-a575-4679173d3bfd_wide-ee901cd15f80791a43dfdfef4a884dc7fcddf545-s1200-c85-800x450.jpg\" alt='A sea lion droops on some rocks behind yellow tape that says \"Fire Line Do Not Cross.\"' width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/copy-of-430b7d55-5d0f-462b-a575-4679173d3bfd_wide-ee901cd15f80791a43dfdfef4a884dc7fcddf545-s1200-c85-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/copy-of-430b7d55-5d0f-462b-a575-4679173d3bfd_wide-ee901cd15f80791a43dfdfef4a884dc7fcddf545-s1200-c85-1020x574.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/copy-of-430b7d55-5d0f-462b-a575-4679173d3bfd_wide-ee901cd15f80791a43dfdfef4a884dc7fcddf545-s1200-c85-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/copy-of-430b7d55-5d0f-462b-a575-4679173d3bfd_wide-ee901cd15f80791a43dfdfef4a884dc7fcddf545-s1200-c85-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/07/copy-of-430b7d55-5d0f-462b-a575-4679173d3bfd_wide-ee901cd15f80791a43dfdfef4a884dc7fcddf545-s1200-c85.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">There is no antidote or specific remedy for poisoning from domoic acid, the toxin that the algal bloom in California is producing. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>To compare, Dover said lately his volunteer group has been receiving about 40 to 50 reports of sick animals per day. A month ago, they were receiving 40 to 50 reports per hour, though many reports tend to be duplicates of the same animal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While that is a good sign, not much can be done to speed up the process. Harmful algal blooms are nearly impossible to clean, especially at the scale that has emerged near California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv class=\"fullattribution\">Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Sea+lions+are+sick+and+dying+along+Southern+California%27s+coast.+Here%27s+what+to+know&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAxOTAwOTE4MDEyMTkxMDAzNjczZDljZA004)\">\u003c/div>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "Hot Weather, Land Abuses Fueling Algal Blooms in Western Waters",
"headTitle": "Hot Weather, Land Abuses Fueling Algal Blooms in Western Waters | KQED",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"content\">\n\u003cdiv class=\"moz-reader-content line-height4\">\n\u003cdiv id=\"readability-page-1\" class=\"page\">\n\u003cp>The West is known for summer wildfires. Now it seems Western summers will be distinguished by another kind of flare-up: algae blooms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv>\n\u003cp>This summer has witnessed an explosion of algae problems in Western water bodies. Usually marked by a bright green mat of floating scum, the blooms are unsightly and unpleasant for water lovers. More concerning are potentially toxic cyanobacteria often produced by the algae, which can be deadly to pets and livestock and cause illnesses in people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These harmful algal blooms have popped up in freshwater lakes and streams for years. But in recent years they seem bigger and more widespread than ever, resulting in closed beaches, public health warnings and risks to drinking water in a few locations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Blooms are even popping up in unlikely places, such as high-elevation mountain lakes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But there is currently no federal drinking water standard for algal toxins and in many places, data monitoring of blooms is still scarce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is really a devilish problem,” said Craig Cox, a senior vice-president for agriculture and natural resources at the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ewg.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Environmental Working Group\u003c/a> who is tracking the issue. “The more I look into it, the more stunning the state of play seems to me.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the cause of each incident is not always known, two of the main known drivers of algal blooms are excess nutrients in the water and extreme heat. As a result, algae-coated lakes could become one of the most visible consequences of rising global temperatures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Understanding the Problem\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The most serious incident recently occurred in May in Salem, Oregon, where a health advisory was issued to more than 200,000 customers of the city water department following the detection of algal toxins in the drinking water supply. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions were warned not to drink tap water for most of the month of June.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_134297\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://newsdeeply.imgix.net/20180727081904/USACE_Detroit_Dam_Oregon1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"521\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Detroit Lake and Dam on the North Santiam River, a source of drinking water for Salem, Oregon, the state capital. A toxic algal bloom at the lake in May and June resulted in a weeks-long public health advisory in which children, the elderly and other sensitive groups were urged not to consume Salem’s drinking water. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>Salem officials still don’t know what caused the toxic bloom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That’s the million-dollar question that everybody wants to know,” said Lacey Goeres-Priest, water quality supervisor at the Salem Public Works Department. “There’s a lot of different factors that play into this type of event.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The algae and the bacteria involved in harmful blooms are all naturally occurring and are important building blocks of all life on Earth. But the two main causes of the blooms are not natural.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Erosion and excessive fertilizer are to blame for the high levels of nutrients. For the second factor, warm temperatures cause algae to bloom more aggressively and climate change seems a likely culprit. Scientists at Tufts University in Massachusetts published a \u003ca href=\"https://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/climate-change-projected-significantly-increase-harmful-algal-blooms-us-freshwaters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">study\u003c/a> in 2017 predicting toxic algal blooms would increase as the climate warms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They like it hot, and this helps them outcompete beneficial phytoplankton,” said Ali Dunn, an environmental scientist at the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) who studies blooms in that state. “It’s definitely been a catalyst for their growth.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Closing the Data Gaps\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Algal blooms are unpredictable, typically resulting from a suite of biological and environmental conditions. Most algal toxins come from a class of cyanobacteria present with some – but not all – algae. So the mere presence of algae does not mean a toxin is present.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The only way to detect algal toxins is through laboratory testing of water samples. This can take days, adding significant delay to any public health response.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Each lake, river, water body kind of has its own story to tell,” said Dunn. “The drivers are going to be different and unique to that system.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>No one knows precisely how often blooms occur because there is no monitoring of the problem on a national scale.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cox, based in Ames, Iowa, and his team at EWG decided to gather their own data by recording how often algal blooms were mentioned in the news media. He admits this was a crude method, but no other data was available. In their resulting \u003ca href=\"https://www.ewg.org/toxicalgalblooms/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report\u003c/a>, released in May, they documented 169 blooms in 2017 – up from 51 the year before.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That is certainly a low estimate, because many blooms probably don’t get reported in the media.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Case in point: in 2016, the SWRCB launched its own \u003ca href=\"https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">algal bloom reporting program\u003c/a>. It is based entirely on volunteer reports. Even so, in \u003ca href=\"https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/monitoring_council/collaboration_network/docs/2018/dunn-vandyke-022118.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">2017\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/monitoring_council/collaboration_network/docs/2018/dunn-vandyke-022118.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">it recorded\u003c/a> 181 algal blooms just in California, an increase from 91 the year before. Of the 2017 blooms, 141 were serious enough to prompt health advisories.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of the 2017 reports illustrates how algal blooms are popping up where they once didn’t seem possible. On Sept. 8, a bright green lake-wide algal bloom was reported at Rim Rock Lake, a natural water body at the 7,000-feet (2,130 meters) elevation deep inside Lassen National Forest in Northern California. Water samples revealed four species of cyanobacteria, but none was producing toxins at the time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts a \u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys/national-lakes-assessment-2012-key-findings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Lakes Assessment\u003c/a> every five years that sheds a little more light on the issue. The most recent assessment now dates back to 2012. It found cyanobacteria and \u003ca href=\"https://iaspub.epa.gov/tdb/pages/contaminant/contaminantOverview.do?contaminantId=-1336577584\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">microcystin\u003c/a>, a key algal toxin, had increased 8.3 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively, in the nation’s lakes compared with 2007.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition, the presence of phosphorus – a main nutrient from fertilizers that feeds algal blooms – also grew significantly worse. Eighteen percent of lakes showed increasing phosphorus concentrations compared with 2007. And 40 percent were recorded as having excess phosphorus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ve been able to show, with our occurrence data, that toxins are present across the country in all surface water types,” said Keith Loftin, a research chemist at the U.S. Geological Survey in Kansas. “But in terms of an exact count year to year, we do not have that data.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To close this gap, Loftin is helping develop a new national \u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/water-research/cyanobacteria-assessment-network-cyan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cyanobacteria Assessment Network\u003c/a>. He’s part of a team that includes the EPA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA. They plan to use satellite sensors to detect and monitor harmful algal blooms nationwide. It will include a smartphone app to make the data widely available.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_134298\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 880px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://newsdeeply.imgix.net/20180727082028/DiamondValleyCyanotracker1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"880\" height=\"538\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">This satellite image shows the state of an algal bloom in July at Diamond Valley Lake near Riverside, California, a critical storage reservoir for the Metropolitan Water District. In June, the district closed the lake to recreating as a result of the bloom. (Image Courtesy Cyanotracker/University of Georgia)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>The system is being tested now and Loftin hopes it will be publicly available within a year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Data produced by the system could help develop new algae management techniques and regulations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A Drinking Water Crisis\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The EPA, the nation’s water-quality police, has only issued recommendations and has yet to impose federal drinking water standards for algal toxins. As a result, many utilities are forced to improvise when an algal bloom strikes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Such was the case during Salem’s recent crisis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The first indicator came on May 8, when an algal bloom appeared at Detroit Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the North Santiam River. Salem draws its drinking water from the reservoir, which is also popular for boating, swimming and fishing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because it had experienced blooms before, Salem already had a weekly testing program for algal toxins. Now it increased testing to twice weekly, sending samples to a laboratory in Ohio.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It wasn’t until May 25, just before Memorial Day weekend, that test results from a sample of the city’s water confirmed the presence of a type of cyanotoxin. Consulting with the Oregon Health Authority, the city took a wait-and-see approach to the problem over the long holiday weekend, Goeres-Priest said. It tweaked the water treatment process to try to control the toxin, and tapped a backup supply from the neighboring city of Keizer to help dilute the water.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the bloom continued. So on Tuesday, May 29, the city issued a health advisory urging sensitive groups not to drink the tap water. It affected not just Salem, but three neighboring communities that draw water from the city.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With help from the state, Salem began distributing bottled water and the National Guard mobilized tankers to dispense clean water at two dozen sites for residents who brought their own containers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city lifted the health advisory five days later, on June 2, after two consecutive days of clean water samples.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then the bloom roared back, and on June 6 Salem was forced to impose the advisory again, adding to public confusion. It was finally lifted on July 3, only after 12 consecutive days of clean water tests.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Algal blooms had struck Detroit Lake before, but none had ever lasted that long or required health warnings.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What is different about this year than previous years? At this point, I don’t know the answer to that,” Goeres-Priest said. “We’re still learning a lot about the toxins themselves, and trying to understand what triggers that toxin release.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A forest fire may be one new contributor. The Whitewater Fire, which started in July 2017, burned 14,000 acres of forest in the Santiam River watershed east of Salem. Fire ash contains phosphorus, a nutrient that could have fed this year’s algal bloom. Goeres-Priest doesn’t know to what extent that was a factor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The algal bloom episode was costly for Salem, she said, although a full tally is not yet available.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Initially, the city spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on water sample testing. Later, to avoid the delay of sending samples to Ohio, the city bought its own testing machine at a cost of $35,000. It also bought a cryofreezer because laboratory protocol requires samples to be flash-frozen and thawed three times before testing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Salem also had to upgrade its water treatment plant, adding a process involving powdered activated carbon to remove algal toxins from the source water.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_134299\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://newsdeeply.imgix.net/20180727082114/lab-technician-at-willow-lake-prepares-water-samples-next-to-caas-equipment_web_1600x1067_color-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A Salem, Oregon, city employee prepares water samples for testing to determine the presence of algal toxins. The city purchased new testing machines during a recent toxic algal bloom to avoid delays in sending water samples to a lab in Ohio. (Photo Courtesy city of Salem)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>In response to Salem’s travails, the Oregon Health Authority imposed its own \u003ca href=\"https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2018/06/29/salem-water-alert-oregon-algal-toxins-test-oha/746671002/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interim water quality standards\u003c/a> for algal toxins. It now requires all water agencies to test for them regularly while it develops permanent standards.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Solving the Problem\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One thing that’s clear about toxic algal blooms is that treating the outbreak doesn’t solve the problem. They are likely to recur until the root cause is corrected. Watsonville, California, provides an example.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Pinto Lake, a Watsonville city recreation site, began experiencing algal blooms as early as the 1980s, said Jackie McCloud, the city’s environmental projects manager. The lake drains into the Pajaro River, then into Monterey Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The blooms were not a drinking water concern, because the lake isn’t used for that purpose. But the algae problem became unavoidable when sea otters, protected by the state and federal Endangered Species Act, began turning up dead on the bay shore in 2007.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Necropsies cited liver failure as cause of death in 33 sea otters. That, in turn was caused by exposure to microcystin, an algal toxin that accumulated in the tissues of sea urchins and shellfish eaten by the otters. It was the first time the freshwater toxin had been documented to survive in seawater and cause the death of marine mammals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The toxin was traced upstream to Pinto Lake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>McCloud said the lake’s algae problem dates back to the earliest days of settlement in the area. Vast redwood forests in the coastal mountains draining into the watershed were cut down for building materials, and the resulting erosion coated the bottom of the lake with nutrients – specifically phosphorus. Farming, road building and housing development sent more phosphorus-laden runoff into the lake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We were just seeing massive amounts of erosion from the watershed coming into the lake,” McCloud said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city took a two-pronged approach: stop the algal blooms and stop the erosion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To control the blooms, the city hired a consultant who applied alum, a chemical compound meant to neutralize and isolate phosphorus in the lakebed. McCloud called this a “Band-Aid” measure because the real solution lies in the watershed upstream.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the city has no land use authority in the watershed, so it began working with Santa Cruz County and the local Resource Conservation District, an organization that helps farmers improve land use practices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Landowners were encouraged to adopt erosion control measures, such as water bars on dirt roads to manage runoff and buffer strips of vegetation to capture it. The county adopted similar measures on its public lands in the watershed, including Mt. Madonna County Park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All this work, including the alum treatment, was funded by $900,000 in EPA grants administered by the SWRCB. McCloud called it a success: there have been no algal blooms since the work began.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But she knows the job isn’t done. The alum treatment will eventually wear off, and erosion controls require ongoing maintenance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re going to see more of these hot, intense weather events where we don’t have a lot of water coming into the system anymore and we’re concentrating this phosphorus,” McCloud said. “We knew the lake was the biggest problem, but we realized we’re not going to solve anything by just looking at that one spot. You have to look bigger than just your lake.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">This article originally appeared on \u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003ca href=\"https://mail.kqed.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=9e4bb0e1a7d74f24ba4684ef2533053d&URL=https%3a%2f%2fwww.newsdeeply.com%2fwater\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Water Deeply\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and you can find it \u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003ca href=\"https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/07/30/hot-weather-land-abuses-fueling-algal-blooms-in-western-waters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">here\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">. For important news about the California drought, you can \u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003ca href=\"http://waterdeeply.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8b78e9a34ff7443ec1e8c62c6&id=2947becb78\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">sign up\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to the Water Deeply email list.\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Toxic bacteria produced by some algae are a threat to public health. Climate change may be one reason algal blooms have become a growing concern for many water agencies.",
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"description": "Toxic bacteria produced by some algae are a threat to public health. Climate change may be one reason algal blooms have become a growing concern for many water agencies.",
"title": "Hot Weather, Land Abuses Fueling Algal Blooms in Western Waters | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cdiv class=\"content\">\n\u003cdiv class=\"moz-reader-content line-height4\">\n\u003cdiv id=\"readability-page-1\" class=\"page\">\n\u003cp>The West is known for summer wildfires. Now it seems Western summers will be distinguished by another kind of flare-up: algae blooms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv>\n\u003cp>This summer has witnessed an explosion of algae problems in Western water bodies. Usually marked by a bright green mat of floating scum, the blooms are unsightly and unpleasant for water lovers. More concerning are potentially toxic cyanobacteria often produced by the algae, which can be deadly to pets and livestock and cause illnesses in people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These harmful algal blooms have popped up in freshwater lakes and streams for years. But in recent years they seem bigger and more widespread than ever, resulting in closed beaches, public health warnings and risks to drinking water in a few locations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Blooms are even popping up in unlikely places, such as high-elevation mountain lakes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But there is currently no federal drinking water standard for algal toxins and in many places, data monitoring of blooms is still scarce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is really a devilish problem,” said Craig Cox, a senior vice-president for agriculture and natural resources at the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ewg.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Environmental Working Group\u003c/a> who is tracking the issue. “The more I look into it, the more stunning the state of play seems to me.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the cause of each incident is not always known, two of the main known drivers of algal blooms are excess nutrients in the water and extreme heat. As a result, algae-coated lakes could become one of the most visible consequences of rising global temperatures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Understanding the Problem\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The most serious incident recently occurred in May in Salem, Oregon, where a health advisory was issued to more than 200,000 customers of the city water department following the detection of algal toxins in the drinking water supply. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions were warned not to drink tap water for most of the month of June.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_134297\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://newsdeeply.imgix.net/20180727081904/USACE_Detroit_Dam_Oregon1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"521\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Detroit Lake and Dam on the North Santiam River, a source of drinking water for Salem, Oregon, the state capital. A toxic algal bloom at the lake in May and June resulted in a weeks-long public health advisory in which children, the elderly and other sensitive groups were urged not to consume Salem’s drinking water. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>Salem officials still don’t know what caused the toxic bloom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That’s the million-dollar question that everybody wants to know,” said Lacey Goeres-Priest, water quality supervisor at the Salem Public Works Department. “There’s a lot of different factors that play into this type of event.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The algae and the bacteria involved in harmful blooms are all naturally occurring and are important building blocks of all life on Earth. But the two main causes of the blooms are not natural.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Erosion and excessive fertilizer are to blame for the high levels of nutrients. For the second factor, warm temperatures cause algae to bloom more aggressively and climate change seems a likely culprit. Scientists at Tufts University in Massachusetts published a \u003ca href=\"https://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/climate-change-projected-significantly-increase-harmful-algal-blooms-us-freshwaters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">study\u003c/a> in 2017 predicting toxic algal blooms would increase as the climate warms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They like it hot, and this helps them outcompete beneficial phytoplankton,” said Ali Dunn, an environmental scientist at the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) who studies blooms in that state. “It’s definitely been a catalyst for their growth.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Closing the Data Gaps\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Algal blooms are unpredictable, typically resulting from a suite of biological and environmental conditions. Most algal toxins come from a class of cyanobacteria present with some – but not all – algae. So the mere presence of algae does not mean a toxin is present.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The only way to detect algal toxins is through laboratory testing of water samples. This can take days, adding significant delay to any public health response.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Each lake, river, water body kind of has its own story to tell,” said Dunn. “The drivers are going to be different and unique to that system.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>No one knows precisely how often blooms occur because there is no monitoring of the problem on a national scale.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cox, based in Ames, Iowa, and his team at EWG decided to gather their own data by recording how often algal blooms were mentioned in the news media. He admits this was a crude method, but no other data was available. In their resulting \u003ca href=\"https://www.ewg.org/toxicalgalblooms/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report\u003c/a>, released in May, they documented 169 blooms in 2017 – up from 51 the year before.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That is certainly a low estimate, because many blooms probably don’t get reported in the media.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Case in point: in 2016, the SWRCB launched its own \u003ca href=\"https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">algal bloom reporting program\u003c/a>. It is based entirely on volunteer reports. Even so, in \u003ca href=\"https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/monitoring_council/collaboration_network/docs/2018/dunn-vandyke-022118.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">2017\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/monitoring_council/collaboration_network/docs/2018/dunn-vandyke-022118.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">it recorded\u003c/a> 181 algal blooms just in California, an increase from 91 the year before. Of the 2017 blooms, 141 were serious enough to prompt health advisories.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of the 2017 reports illustrates how algal blooms are popping up where they once didn’t seem possible. On Sept. 8, a bright green lake-wide algal bloom was reported at Rim Rock Lake, a natural water body at the 7,000-feet (2,130 meters) elevation deep inside Lassen National Forest in Northern California. Water samples revealed four species of cyanobacteria, but none was producing toxins at the time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts a \u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys/national-lakes-assessment-2012-key-findings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Lakes Assessment\u003c/a> every five years that sheds a little more light on the issue. The most recent assessment now dates back to 2012. It found cyanobacteria and \u003ca href=\"https://iaspub.epa.gov/tdb/pages/contaminant/contaminantOverview.do?contaminantId=-1336577584\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">microcystin\u003c/a>, a key algal toxin, had increased 8.3 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively, in the nation’s lakes compared with 2007.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition, the presence of phosphorus – a main nutrient from fertilizers that feeds algal blooms – also grew significantly worse. Eighteen percent of lakes showed increasing phosphorus concentrations compared with 2007. And 40 percent were recorded as having excess phosphorus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ve been able to show, with our occurrence data, that toxins are present across the country in all surface water types,” said Keith Loftin, a research chemist at the U.S. Geological Survey in Kansas. “But in terms of an exact count year to year, we do not have that data.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To close this gap, Loftin is helping develop a new national \u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/water-research/cyanobacteria-assessment-network-cyan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cyanobacteria Assessment Network\u003c/a>. He’s part of a team that includes the EPA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA. They plan to use satellite sensors to detect and monitor harmful algal blooms nationwide. It will include a smartphone app to make the data widely available.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_134298\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 880px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://newsdeeply.imgix.net/20180727082028/DiamondValleyCyanotracker1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"880\" height=\"538\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">This satellite image shows the state of an algal bloom in July at Diamond Valley Lake near Riverside, California, a critical storage reservoir for the Metropolitan Water District. In June, the district closed the lake to recreating as a result of the bloom. (Image Courtesy Cyanotracker/University of Georgia)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>The system is being tested now and Loftin hopes it will be publicly available within a year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Data produced by the system could help develop new algae management techniques and regulations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A Drinking Water Crisis\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The EPA, the nation’s water-quality police, has only issued recommendations and has yet to impose federal drinking water standards for algal toxins. As a result, many utilities are forced to improvise when an algal bloom strikes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Such was the case during Salem’s recent crisis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The first indicator came on May 8, when an algal bloom appeared at Detroit Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the North Santiam River. Salem draws its drinking water from the reservoir, which is also popular for boating, swimming and fishing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because it had experienced blooms before, Salem already had a weekly testing program for algal toxins. Now it increased testing to twice weekly, sending samples to a laboratory in Ohio.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It wasn’t until May 25, just before Memorial Day weekend, that test results from a sample of the city’s water confirmed the presence of a type of cyanotoxin. Consulting with the Oregon Health Authority, the city took a wait-and-see approach to the problem over the long holiday weekend, Goeres-Priest said. It tweaked the water treatment process to try to control the toxin, and tapped a backup supply from the neighboring city of Keizer to help dilute the water.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the bloom continued. So on Tuesday, May 29, the city issued a health advisory urging sensitive groups not to drink the tap water. It affected not just Salem, but three neighboring communities that draw water from the city.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With help from the state, Salem began distributing bottled water and the National Guard mobilized tankers to dispense clean water at two dozen sites for residents who brought their own containers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city lifted the health advisory five days later, on June 2, after two consecutive days of clean water samples.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then the bloom roared back, and on June 6 Salem was forced to impose the advisory again, adding to public confusion. It was finally lifted on July 3, only after 12 consecutive days of clean water tests.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Algal blooms had struck Detroit Lake before, but none had ever lasted that long or required health warnings.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What is different about this year than previous years? At this point, I don’t know the answer to that,” Goeres-Priest said. “We’re still learning a lot about the toxins themselves, and trying to understand what triggers that toxin release.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A forest fire may be one new contributor. The Whitewater Fire, which started in July 2017, burned 14,000 acres of forest in the Santiam River watershed east of Salem. Fire ash contains phosphorus, a nutrient that could have fed this year’s algal bloom. Goeres-Priest doesn’t know to what extent that was a factor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The algal bloom episode was costly for Salem, she said, although a full tally is not yet available.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Initially, the city spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on water sample testing. Later, to avoid the delay of sending samples to Ohio, the city bought its own testing machine at a cost of $35,000. It also bought a cryofreezer because laboratory protocol requires samples to be flash-frozen and thawed three times before testing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Salem also had to upgrade its water treatment plant, adding a process involving powdered activated carbon to remove algal toxins from the source water.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_134299\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://newsdeeply.imgix.net/20180727082114/lab-technician-at-willow-lake-prepares-water-samples-next-to-caas-equipment_web_1600x1067_color-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A Salem, Oregon, city employee prepares water samples for testing to determine the presence of algal toxins. The city purchased new testing machines during a recent toxic algal bloom to avoid delays in sending water samples to a lab in Ohio. (Photo Courtesy city of Salem)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>In response to Salem’s travails, the Oregon Health Authority imposed its own \u003ca href=\"https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2018/06/29/salem-water-alert-oregon-algal-toxins-test-oha/746671002/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interim water quality standards\u003c/a> for algal toxins. It now requires all water agencies to test for them regularly while it develops permanent standards.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Solving the Problem\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One thing that’s clear about toxic algal blooms is that treating the outbreak doesn’t solve the problem. They are likely to recur until the root cause is corrected. Watsonville, California, provides an example.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Pinto Lake, a Watsonville city recreation site, began experiencing algal blooms as early as the 1980s, said Jackie McCloud, the city’s environmental projects manager. The lake drains into the Pajaro River, then into Monterey Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The blooms were not a drinking water concern, because the lake isn’t used for that purpose. But the algae problem became unavoidable when sea otters, protected by the state and federal Endangered Species Act, began turning up dead on the bay shore in 2007.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Necropsies cited liver failure as cause of death in 33 sea otters. That, in turn was caused by exposure to microcystin, an algal toxin that accumulated in the tissues of sea urchins and shellfish eaten by the otters. It was the first time the freshwater toxin had been documented to survive in seawater and cause the death of marine mammals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The toxin was traced upstream to Pinto Lake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>McCloud said the lake’s algae problem dates back to the earliest days of settlement in the area. Vast redwood forests in the coastal mountains draining into the watershed were cut down for building materials, and the resulting erosion coated the bottom of the lake with nutrients – specifically phosphorus. Farming, road building and housing development sent more phosphorus-laden runoff into the lake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We were just seeing massive amounts of erosion from the watershed coming into the lake,” McCloud said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city took a two-pronged approach: stop the algal blooms and stop the erosion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To control the blooms, the city hired a consultant who applied alum, a chemical compound meant to neutralize and isolate phosphorus in the lakebed. McCloud called this a “Band-Aid” measure because the real solution lies in the watershed upstream.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the city has no land use authority in the watershed, so it began working with Santa Cruz County and the local Resource Conservation District, an organization that helps farmers improve land use practices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Landowners were encouraged to adopt erosion control measures, such as water bars on dirt roads to manage runoff and buffer strips of vegetation to capture it. The county adopted similar measures on its public lands in the watershed, including Mt. Madonna County Park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All this work, including the alum treatment, was funded by $900,000 in EPA grants administered by the SWRCB. McCloud called it a success: there have been no algal blooms since the work began.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But she knows the job isn’t done. The alum treatment will eventually wear off, and erosion controls require ongoing maintenance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re going to see more of these hot, intense weather events where we don’t have a lot of water coming into the system anymore and we’re concentrating this phosphorus,” McCloud said. “We knew the lake was the biggest problem, but we realized we’re not going to solve anything by just looking at that one spot. You have to look bigger than just your lake.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">This article originally appeared on \u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003ca href=\"https://mail.kqed.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=9e4bb0e1a7d74f24ba4684ef2533053d&URL=https%3a%2f%2fwww.newsdeeply.com%2fwater\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Water Deeply\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and you can find it \u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003ca href=\"https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/07/30/hot-weather-land-abuses-fueling-algal-blooms-in-western-waters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">here\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">. For important news about the California drought, you can \u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003ca href=\"http://waterdeeply.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8b78e9a34ff7443ec1e8c62c6&id=2947becb78\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">sign up\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to the Water Deeply email list.\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Health Officials Warn Public to Stay Out of Discovery Bay’s Toxic Waters",
"headTitle": "Health Officials Warn Public to Stay Out of Discovery Bay’s Toxic Waters | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>Contra Costa health officials are warning people to stay out of Discovery Bay after recent tests showed elevated levels of a toxin from blue-green algae.[contextly_sidebar id=”HOFJjjVVgSKMJov7SbkcjgstMPSsA2D0″]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A \u003ca href=\"https://cchealth.org/eh/hab/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">routine sampling\u003c/a> of the waters on June 27 by health officials found high concentrations of blue-green algae, which contains cyanotoxin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[contextly_sidebar id=”BE53mysKwhQp94VJXpgB5zkaKFuA9ekn”]Contra Costa Health Services issued an advisory Thursday, July 19 warning that exposure to the toxin can cause\u003ca href=\"https://cchealth.org/eh/hab/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> rashes, skin and eye irritation\u003c/a>, and upset stomach. In high enough levels, exposure can lead to serious illness and even death.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Environmental Health advises residents and visitors to Discovery Bay to avoid coming into contact with water in affected areas,” the advisory stated. “Avoiding contact with the water is also advised for pets.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Higher temperatures contribute to the sudden growth of the harmful algae, which eventually dissipate naturally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dogs are especially sensitive to the toxin. In 2017, two dogs \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Toxic-algae-kills-2-dogs-after-swim-in-Napa-11260421.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reportedly died after they swam in a contaminated pond\u003c/a> in Southern Napa County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tap water remains safe to drink as the toxin is not in the community’s well water system, according to the advisory.[contextly_sidebar id=”9LPlFctPIz2XxR4ELVFBaosWMf6LFUwK”]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Officials say the \u003ca href=\"https://cchealth.org/eh/hab/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best way to\u003c/a> prevent the blooms is to reduce water pollution, especially from runoff containing fertilizers or pesticides.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you believe you’ve been exposed to Blue-green algae, health officials recommend taking the following steps:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Wash your skin and hair thoroughly.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>If your pet comes into contact with the algae, wash\u003cbr>\nit thoroughly to prevent ingestion.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Contact a licensed veterinarian immediately if you believe your pet may have ingested algae.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Do not consume fish caught or harvested in a\u003cbr>\nbloom area.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Respect closures by public health authorities.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>If you ingest blue-green algae or begin to experience symptoms,\u003cbr>\ncontact your health care provider or California Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>For updates on this advisory, visit \u003ca href=\"http://cchealth.org/eh/blue-green-algae.php\">http://cchealth.org/eh/blue-green-algae.php\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\n",
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"excerpt": "Health officials in the East Bay are warning residents to stay out of Discovery Bay due to elevated levels of cyatoxin.",
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"description": "Health officials in the East Bay are warning residents to stay out of Discovery Bay due to elevated levels of cyatoxin.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Contra Costa health officials are warning people to stay out of Discovery Bay after recent tests showed elevated levels of a toxin from blue-green algae.\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A \u003ca href=\"https://cchealth.org/eh/hab/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">routine sampling\u003c/a> of the waters on June 27 by health officials found high concentrations of blue-green algae, which contains cyanotoxin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>Contra Costa Health Services issued an advisory Thursday, July 19 warning that exposure to the toxin can cause\u003ca href=\"https://cchealth.org/eh/hab/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> rashes, skin and eye irritation\u003c/a>, and upset stomach. In high enough levels, exposure can lead to serious illness and even death.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Environmental Health advises residents and visitors to Discovery Bay to avoid coming into contact with water in affected areas,” the advisory stated. “Avoiding contact with the water is also advised for pets.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Higher temperatures contribute to the sudden growth of the harmful algae, which eventually dissipate naturally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dogs are especially sensitive to the toxin. In 2017, two dogs \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Toxic-algae-kills-2-dogs-after-swim-in-Napa-11260421.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reportedly died after they swam in a contaminated pond\u003c/a> in Southern Napa County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tap water remains safe to drink as the toxin is not in the community’s well water system, according to the advisory.\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Officials say the \u003ca href=\"https://cchealth.org/eh/hab/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best way to\u003c/a> prevent the blooms is to reduce water pollution, especially from runoff containing fertilizers or pesticides.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you believe you’ve been exposed to Blue-green algae, health officials recommend taking the following steps:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Wash your skin and hair thoroughly.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>If your pet comes into contact with the algae, wash\u003cbr>\nit thoroughly to prevent ingestion.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Contact a licensed veterinarian immediately if you believe your pet may have ingested algae.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Do not consume fish caught or harvested in a\u003cbr>\nbloom area.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Respect closures by public health authorities.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>If you ingest blue-green algae or begin to experience symptoms,\u003cbr>\ncontact your health care provider or California Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>For updates on this advisory, visit \u003ca href=\"http://cchealth.org/eh/blue-green-algae.php\">http://cchealth.org/eh/blue-green-algae.php\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "Lakes Reopened in Bay Area, but Risks of Algae Blooms Persist",
"headTitle": "Lakes Reopened in Bay Area, but Risks of Algae Blooms Persist | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>Swimmers can now return to bodies of water that were closed in the Bay Area for most of the summer due to toxic algae blooms. Noxious green blooms were first reported in popular swimming areas in spring, and park officials have been working since then to reduce the risk and reopen the lakes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re thrilled to be able to re-open Lake Temescal and Quarry Lakes,” said Dave Mason of the East Bay Regional Park District. “We’ve been working hard to reduce the risk.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Lake-Cunningham-Park-179\">Lake Cunningham\u003c/a> in San Jose has been closed since January and has yet to reopen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Closures due to toxic blooms have become increasingly common in California and are a rising concern for park managers and public health officers. Local and state officials in charge of addressing the problem algae are finding their work cut out for them, both during the summer season as well as in the long-term.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914642\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1722px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914642\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1722\" height=\"1313\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2.jpg 1722w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-160x122.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-800x610.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-768x586.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-1020x778.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-1180x900.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-960x732.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-240x183.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-375x286.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-520x396.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1722px) 100vw, 1722px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Not all algae blooms create toxins, but public health officials recommend staying away from all blooms, to be safe. \u003ccite>(East Bay Regional Parks)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Each water body is going to be its own unique animal” says Ali Dunn at the \u003ca href=\"https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/\">California State Water Board\u003c/a>. “There are no silver bullet solutions for harmful algae blooms.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The prevalence of algae blooms in the Bay Area this summer jumped dramatically compared to last year. This year nine have been reported, last year it was six. Statewide, the number of blooms has almost doubled: 46 have been noticed so far this year, compared to only 23 last year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The most common way that authorities deal with this issue is to treat lakes with chemicals, in hopes of opening them as soon as possible. But some officials and communities are also experimenting with long-term solutions. Jackie McCloud, a water manager in Watsonville, believes a “slow culture shift” is needed to encourage communities to act on local water issues.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignright\">‘We’re in this together, we all want the same thing –we want a healthy lake. The community needs to feel like they are a part of the solution’\u003ccite>Jackie McCloud, water manager in Watsonville\u003c/cite>\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>The proliferation of blue-green algae in water is a direct result of pollution. Technically, the species commonly referred to as ‘algae’ are photosynthesizing bacteria known as ‘cyanobacteria.’\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It can look like a lot of different things,” says Hal McClean, water specialist for the East Bay Regional Parks District. The algae is primarily recognized by its bright green color and its apparent shapelessness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In general it looks like little green specks in the water, and when it starts to bloom it can turn into swaths of green matter, but when you try to pick it up, it goes right through your fingers.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, are essential for life in lakes, but when they are too abundant the whole system becomes unbalanced, and populations of cyanobacteria can explode –- or ‘bloom.’[contextly_sidebar id=”90YROkrluNOYrDOIOehTvAwIKPr8Cqni”]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phosphorus is the main nutrient that causes these blooms, and even though it’s common and naturally occurring, massive amounts enter landscapes and water due to human activities. It can enter the landscape as fertilizer for lawns, or in manure for farms, and embedded in the food we eat, which can end up in septic systems underground.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phosphorus on land then travels into the water by hitching a ride on pieces of soil that get dislodged and move downhill. In California, a majority of this runoff happens during the winter rains, where big storms move massive amounts of soil.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to Dunn, this year’s rainy winter could be responsible for the swift uptick in blooms this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We just had five years of drought,” she said. “Some scientists are saying that nutrient loads have been held up in sediments, and this last year’s rain could have resulted in a large pulse in sediment.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>McCloud remembers the winter rains vividly at Pinto Lake north of Monterey, which she manages. “We had so much sediment,” she says. “It looked like rivers of chocolate milk.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914643\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 802px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914643\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"802\" height=\"535\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2.jpg 802w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2-240x160.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2-375x250.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2-520x347.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 802px) 100vw, 802px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lake Temescal reopened to swimmers on August 12, but park managers are keeping a close eye on blooms. \u003ccite>(East Bay Regional Parks)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Solving the problem of algae blooms is difficult because once large volumes of phosphorus enter the water, it is practically impossible to get it out. Once blooms occur, park managers play whack-a-mole, killing blooms as them pop-up but rarely addressing the root of the problem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Blue-green algae is fairly common, though not all varieties produce toxins. A benign bloom can turn noxious at any point, and no one knows exactly why. To deal with this, McClean says he tests the waters twice a week –- minimum.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The harmful strains of toxins can produce neuro- and liver toxins. If they touch the skin, they can cause rashes, lesions, or blisters. If swallowed, expect headaches, nausea and stomach pain. In California, there are yearly cases of animals dying from swallowing the water. \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Toxic-algae-kills-2-dogs-after-swim-in-Napa-11260421.php\">Reports suggest\u003c/a> that two dogs died soon after swallowing water in an algae-ridden pond in Napa County earlier this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The State Water Resources Control Board has a website that keeps track of blooms sighted in the state called the \u003ca href=\"http://www.mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/\">Harmful Algae Bloom Portal\u003c/a>. The map allows the public to see the status of their local lakes and report blooms.\u003cbr>\n[habportal]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Quick Fixes to Keep Lakes Open \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Current ways of dealing with algae blooms fall into two categories: the easy way and the and hard way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The former involves adding things to the lake to try to either kill algae directly or trap nutrients and send them to the bottom. Algaecides (such as hydrogen peroxide or copper sulfate) are used to kill algae cells directly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another option involves adding chemicals to the water (such as alum and \u003ca href=\"http://www.sepro.com/phoslock/\">Phoslock\u003c/a>) which bind with bioavailable phosphorus atoms and sink them the bottom of the lake as sediment. That’s called “the coagulant approach.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These are considered “end-of-the-pipe solutions” — treatments that don’t get to the heart of the problem. Nutrients continue to build up in the lake and it’s very difficult to get them out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914656\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 805px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914656\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"805\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom.jpg 805w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom-160x73.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom-800x366.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom-768x351.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom-240x110.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom-375x171.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom-520x238.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 805px) 100vw, 805px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pinto Lake in Watsonville has had toxic algae blooms for decades. \u003ccite>(Jackie McCloud and Emma Pickering)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“The vast majority of the mitigation strategies that are being used now are still in the ‘quick fix’ category,” says \u003ca href=\"https://dornsife.usc.edu/labs/caron/\">Dave Caron\u003c/a>, aquatic microbiologist at the University of Southern California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Algaecides are applied as spot treatments to algae blooms in order to suppress them, but some bacterial strains inevitably remain alive in the water.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The number of microbes in a lake are “astronomically high,” Caron says. “If you think about trying to kill every single one of those microbes, you’re dreaming.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This was the approach used by McClean on Lake Temescal and Quarry Lakes, which re-opened last week. However, even if things are looking good, noxious strains can come back within days or weeks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914644\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 609px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914644\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Picture1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"609\" height=\"703\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Picture1.jpg 609w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Picture1-160x185.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Picture1-240x277.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Picture1-375x433.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Picture1-520x600.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 609px) 100vw, 609px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Caution signs generally mean that algae blooms have been spotted, but no toxins have been detected. \u003ccite>(East Bay Regional Parks)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“If we’re testing the blue-green algae, and we’re not getting toxins, things could change tomorrow, or the next day,” says McClean.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These short-term solutions are commonly used by managers throughout the state, but Caron and others believe they need to consider more holistic options.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If it’s your go-to every time for every lake,” says Caron, “you’re making a bad decision.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Long-term Solutions for “\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>Sick Lakes”\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Removing excess nutrients from the waterways, and preventing them from re-entering, is the only long-term approach to prevent future blooms. The process, however, can be slow and expensive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some communities have begun experimenting with removing excess phosphorus by providing places for plants and bacteria to grow. Once artificial islands–anchored on pallets or hay bales–have sucked up nutrients from the system, they can be removed, thereby cleaning the water.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Granted, the most obvious solution is to keep phosphorus from getting into water bodies in the first place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is tough, however, because nutrients come in from the surrounding landscape and not from a single point. It’s impossible to know exactly where they come from. It could be from farms, residential lawns, sewage treatment plants or stormwater.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914669\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2048px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914669\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1536\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-1920x1440.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-1180x885.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-960x720.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-240x180.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-375x281.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-520x390.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Some communities have experimented with ‘floating’ or artificial islands to decrease lake nutrient concentrations. \u003ccite>(Floating Islands International)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The diversity of sources of pollution means that a lasting solution requires bringing lots of different stakeholders to the table.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is what water managers in Watsonville are trying in their efforts to save \u003ca href=\"https://www.cityofwatsonville.org/715/Pinto-Lake\">Pinto Lake\u003c/a>, which has been suffering from toxic algae blooms for decades.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Pinto is kind of a sick lake” said McCloud, a water quality specialist tasked with rehabilitating the health of Pinto.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Their key approach is to inform and encourage community members to consider how their activities may contribute to the pollution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We didn’t just attack the algae,” says McCloud. “We knew we wanted to get to the source of the problem.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She estimates that around 20 percent of Pinto’s yearly phosphorus load comes from runoff of surrounding land. The rest comes from inside the lake, a product of years of buildup in the sediments — highlighting the daunting task of remediation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914654\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1320px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914654\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1320\" height=\"872\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL.jpg 1320w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-800x528.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-768x507.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-1020x674.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-1180x780.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-960x634.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-240x159.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-375x248.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-520x344.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">“Friends of Pinto Lake” is a group formed in Watsonville to create a collective vision for the future of the lake. \u003ccite>(Jackie McCloud and Emma Pickering)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>McCloud collaborates with the \u003ca href=\"http://www.rcdsantacruz.org/\">Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County\u003c/a> to hold workshops, community meetings and public information campaigns. One recent workshop encouraged homeowners to use less fertilizer or get rid of lawns altogether, replacing them with native plants that don’t need water or fertilizer to thrive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They also hold farming workshops to promote techniques, such as cover cropping, that can protect soil and avoid erosion. Another target group has been septic system owners – who can learn how to inspect their systems and prevent leaching.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Around four years ago a group called “Friends of Pinto Lake” formed to create a shared vision of the lake’s future, based on the community’s desires, drawing from residents, indigenous groups and business owners.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I try to make our community realize that we’re not going to solve the problem by pointing fingers,” says McCloud. “We’re in this together, we all want the same thing –we want a healthy lake. The community needs to feel like they are a part of the solution.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Swimmers can now return to bodies of water that were closed in the Bay Area for most of the summer due to toxic algae blooms. Noxious green blooms were first reported in popular swimming areas in spring, and park officials have been working since then to reduce the risk and reopen the lakes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re thrilled to be able to re-open Lake Temescal and Quarry Lakes,” said Dave Mason of the East Bay Regional Park District. “We’ve been working hard to reduce the risk.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Lake-Cunningham-Park-179\">Lake Cunningham\u003c/a> in San Jose has been closed since January and has yet to reopen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Closures due to toxic blooms have become increasingly common in California and are a rising concern for park managers and public health officers. Local and state officials in charge of addressing the problem algae are finding their work cut out for them, both during the summer season as well as in the long-term.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914642\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1722px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914642\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1722\" height=\"1313\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2.jpg 1722w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-160x122.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-800x610.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-768x586.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-1020x778.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-1180x900.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-960x732.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-240x183.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-375x286.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/2014-Tem-BGA2-520x396.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1722px) 100vw, 1722px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Not all algae blooms create toxins, but public health officials recommend staying away from all blooms, to be safe. \u003ccite>(East Bay Regional Parks)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Each water body is going to be its own unique animal” says Ali Dunn at the \u003ca href=\"https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/\">California State Water Board\u003c/a>. “There are no silver bullet solutions for harmful algae blooms.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The prevalence of algae blooms in the Bay Area this summer jumped dramatically compared to last year. This year nine have been reported, last year it was six. Statewide, the number of blooms has almost doubled: 46 have been noticed so far this year, compared to only 23 last year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The most common way that authorities deal with this issue is to treat lakes with chemicals, in hopes of opening them as soon as possible. But some officials and communities are also experimenting with long-term solutions. Jackie McCloud, a water manager in Watsonville, believes a “slow culture shift” is needed to encourage communities to act on local water issues.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignright\">‘We’re in this together, we all want the same thing –we want a healthy lake. The community needs to feel like they are a part of the solution’\u003ccite>Jackie McCloud, water manager in Watsonville\u003c/cite>\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>The proliferation of blue-green algae in water is a direct result of pollution. Technically, the species commonly referred to as ‘algae’ are photosynthesizing bacteria known as ‘cyanobacteria.’\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It can look like a lot of different things,” says Hal McClean, water specialist for the East Bay Regional Parks District. The algae is primarily recognized by its bright green color and its apparent shapelessness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In general it looks like little green specks in the water, and when it starts to bloom it can turn into swaths of green matter, but when you try to pick it up, it goes right through your fingers.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, are essential for life in lakes, but when they are too abundant the whole system becomes unbalanced, and populations of cyanobacteria can explode –- or ‘bloom.’\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phosphorus is the main nutrient that causes these blooms, and even though it’s common and naturally occurring, massive amounts enter landscapes and water due to human activities. It can enter the landscape as fertilizer for lawns, or in manure for farms, and embedded in the food we eat, which can end up in septic systems underground.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phosphorus on land then travels into the water by hitching a ride on pieces of soil that get dislodged and move downhill. In California, a majority of this runoff happens during the winter rains, where big storms move massive amounts of soil.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to Dunn, this year’s rainy winter could be responsible for the swift uptick in blooms this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We just had five years of drought,” she said. “Some scientists are saying that nutrient loads have been held up in sediments, and this last year’s rain could have resulted in a large pulse in sediment.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>McCloud remembers the winter rains vividly at Pinto Lake north of Monterey, which she manages. “We had so much sediment,” she says. “It looked like rivers of chocolate milk.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914643\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 802px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914643\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"802\" height=\"535\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2.jpg 802w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2-240x160.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2-375x250.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/lake-temescal-5-800w-2-520x347.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 802px) 100vw, 802px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lake Temescal reopened to swimmers on August 12, but park managers are keeping a close eye on blooms. \u003ccite>(East Bay Regional Parks)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Solving the problem of algae blooms is difficult because once large volumes of phosphorus enter the water, it is practically impossible to get it out. Once blooms occur, park managers play whack-a-mole, killing blooms as them pop-up but rarely addressing the root of the problem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Blue-green algae is fairly common, though not all varieties produce toxins. A benign bloom can turn noxious at any point, and no one knows exactly why. To deal with this, McClean says he tests the waters twice a week –- minimum.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The harmful strains of toxins can produce neuro- and liver toxins. If they touch the skin, they can cause rashes, lesions, or blisters. If swallowed, expect headaches, nausea and stomach pain. In California, there are yearly cases of animals dying from swallowing the water. \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Toxic-algae-kills-2-dogs-after-swim-in-Napa-11260421.php\">Reports suggest\u003c/a> that two dogs died soon after swallowing water in an algae-ridden pond in Napa County earlier this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The State Water Resources Control Board has a website that keeps track of blooms sighted in the state called the \u003ca href=\"http://www.mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/\">Harmful Algae Bloom Portal\u003c/a>. The map allows the public to see the status of their local lakes and report blooms.\u003cbr>\n[habportal]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Quick Fixes to Keep Lakes Open \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Current ways of dealing with algae blooms fall into two categories: the easy way and the and hard way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The former involves adding things to the lake to try to either kill algae directly or trap nutrients and send them to the bottom. Algaecides (such as hydrogen peroxide or copper sulfate) are used to kill algae cells directly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another option involves adding chemicals to the water (such as alum and \u003ca href=\"http://www.sepro.com/phoslock/\">Phoslock\u003c/a>) which bind with bioavailable phosphorus atoms and sink them the bottom of the lake as sediment. That’s called “the coagulant approach.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These are considered “end-of-the-pipe solutions” — treatments that don’t get to the heart of the problem. Nutrients continue to build up in the lake and it’s very difficult to get them out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914656\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 805px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914656\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"805\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom.jpg 805w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom-160x73.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom-800x366.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom-768x351.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom-240x110.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom-375x171.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Pinto-Lake-algal-bloom-520x238.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 805px) 100vw, 805px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pinto Lake in Watsonville has had toxic algae blooms for decades. \u003ccite>(Jackie McCloud and Emma Pickering)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“The vast majority of the mitigation strategies that are being used now are still in the ‘quick fix’ category,” says \u003ca href=\"https://dornsife.usc.edu/labs/caron/\">Dave Caron\u003c/a>, aquatic microbiologist at the University of Southern California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Algaecides are applied as spot treatments to algae blooms in order to suppress them, but some bacterial strains inevitably remain alive in the water.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The number of microbes in a lake are “astronomically high,” Caron says. “If you think about trying to kill every single one of those microbes, you’re dreaming.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This was the approach used by McClean on Lake Temescal and Quarry Lakes, which re-opened last week. However, even if things are looking good, noxious strains can come back within days or weeks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914644\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 609px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914644\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Picture1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"609\" height=\"703\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Picture1.jpg 609w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Picture1-160x185.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Picture1-240x277.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Picture1-375x433.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/Picture1-520x600.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 609px) 100vw, 609px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Caution signs generally mean that algae blooms have been spotted, but no toxins have been detected. \u003ccite>(East Bay Regional Parks)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“If we’re testing the blue-green algae, and we’re not getting toxins, things could change tomorrow, or the next day,” says McClean.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These short-term solutions are commonly used by managers throughout the state, but Caron and others believe they need to consider more holistic options.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If it’s your go-to every time for every lake,” says Caron, “you’re making a bad decision.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Long-term Solutions for “\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>Sick Lakes”\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Removing excess nutrients from the waterways, and preventing them from re-entering, is the only long-term approach to prevent future blooms. The process, however, can be slow and expensive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some communities have begun experimenting with removing excess phosphorus by providing places for plants and bacteria to grow. Once artificial islands–anchored on pallets or hay bales–have sucked up nutrients from the system, they can be removed, thereby cleaning the water.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Granted, the most obvious solution is to keep phosphorus from getting into water bodies in the first place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is tough, however, because nutrients come in from the surrounding landscape and not from a single point. It’s impossible to know exactly where they come from. It could be from farms, residential lawns, sewage treatment plants or stormwater.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914669\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2048px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914669\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1536\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-1920x1440.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-1180x885.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-960x720.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-240x180.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-375x281.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/floatingislandsinternationa-520x390.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Some communities have experimented with ‘floating’ or artificial islands to decrease lake nutrient concentrations. \u003ccite>(Floating Islands International)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The diversity of sources of pollution means that a lasting solution requires bringing lots of different stakeholders to the table.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is what water managers in Watsonville are trying in their efforts to save \u003ca href=\"https://www.cityofwatsonville.org/715/Pinto-Lake\">Pinto Lake\u003c/a>, which has been suffering from toxic algae blooms for decades.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Pinto is kind of a sick lake” said McCloud, a water quality specialist tasked with rehabilitating the health of Pinto.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Their key approach is to inform and encourage community members to consider how their activities may contribute to the pollution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We didn’t just attack the algae,” says McCloud. “We knew we wanted to get to the source of the problem.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She estimates that around 20 percent of Pinto’s yearly phosphorus load comes from runoff of surrounding land. The rest comes from inside the lake, a product of years of buildup in the sediments — highlighting the daunting task of remediation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914654\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1320px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914654\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1320\" height=\"872\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL.jpg 1320w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-800x528.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-768x507.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-1020x674.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-1180x780.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-960x634.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-240x159.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-375x248.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/FOPL-520x344.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">“Friends of Pinto Lake” is a group formed in Watsonville to create a collective vision for the future of the lake. \u003ccite>(Jackie McCloud and Emma Pickering)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>McCloud collaborates with the \u003ca href=\"http://www.rcdsantacruz.org/\">Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County\u003c/a> to hold workshops, community meetings and public information campaigns. One recent workshop encouraged homeowners to use less fertilizer or get rid of lawns altogether, replacing them with native plants that don’t need water or fertilizer to thrive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They also hold farming workshops to promote techniques, such as cover cropping, that can protect soil and avoid erosion. Another target group has been septic system owners – who can learn how to inspect their systems and prevent leaching.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Around four years ago a group called “Friends of Pinto Lake” formed to create a shared vision of the lake’s future, based on the community’s desires, drawing from residents, indigenous groups and business owners.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I try to make our community realize that we’re not going to solve the problem by pointing fingers,” says McCloud. “We’re in this together, we all want the same thing –we want a healthy lake. The community needs to feel like they are a part of the solution.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "Algae-Poisoned Sea Lions Inundate Marine Mammal Center",
"headTitle": "Algae-Poisoned Sea Lions Inundate Marine Mammal Center | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>Beached Sea lions are turning up on California’s central coast with domoic acid poisoning, an affliction associated with marine algae blooms. The \u003ca href=\"http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/\">Marine Mammal Center\u003c/a> in Sausalito has admitted 68 sea lions into its veterinary hospital since July 1\u003csup>st\u003c/sup>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That many animals in such a pretty short time period is a severe event,” says Cara Field, staff veterinarian at the Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/science/top-research-projects/domoic-acid-toxicity-2017.html\">Domoic acid\u003c/a> is a neurotoxin, which is a byproduct of algae blooms that crop up in coastal marine waters throughout the year, especially during the summer months. The noxious compounds are eaten by anchovies and sardines which are then consumed by sea lions and other marine mammals.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"aligncenter\">\n[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PalzkxjilU&feature=youtu.be]\n\u003cp class=\"wp-caption-text\">Countdown the sea lion is head-weaving which is a telltale sign of domoic acid poisoning. After being admitted to the Marine Mammal Center, she was able to make a full recovery and was released on August 8th at Point Reyes National Seashore. (Marine Mammal Center)\u003c/p>\n\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>The symptoms of poisoning are neurological, including tremors and convulsions, which can affect immediate survival or cause long-term brain damage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Generally sea lions spend a lot of time foraging for food and swimming around,” Field explains. “If they accumulate this bio-toxin, they can have a seizure in the water, drown or be eaten. Often they end up on shore where they may have seizures on the beach.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There is a cascading effect of this poisoning in the sea lion community, explains Field, because most of the animals currently affected are lactating mothers with offspring that are dependent on them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s a bad prognosis for the pups,” says Field, “because they’re not getting fed or they’re getting stranded.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fortunately, sea lions are not an at-risk species and Field says their populations are stable.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignright\">‘Our rescue teams were…working all day and all night, collecting animals and bringing them in for treatment’\u003ccite>Cara Field, Marine Mammal Center\u003c/cite>\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>The number of affected sea lions is up since last year. A total of 89 animals have been treated so far this year, compared with 70 last year. However, in years with the biggest algae blooms, such as 2014-2015, numbers of affected animals were well above 200.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Marine Mammal Center started tracking sea lion domoic acid poisoning in 1998, and since then, has seen these events evolve from being a summer-only problem, to a year-round one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Afflicted sea lions often display abnormal behaviors including head waving and wobbling, disorientation and a general lack of responsiveness. If you see a sea lion on the beach, Field advises you not to approach it. Instead call the center’s 24-hour \u003ca href=\"http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/what-we-do/rescue/report-a-stranded-marine-mammal.html\">hotline\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>July was a busy month for the hotline. Some days, up to 10 sea lions were reported, many from San Luis Obispo County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Our rescue teams were in that area working all day and all night, collecting animals and bringing them in for treatment,” says Field.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914659\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 4032px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914659\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-%C2%AC-The-Marine-Mammal-Center.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center.jpg 4032w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-1920x1440.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-1180x885.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-960x720.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-240x180.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-375x281.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-520x390.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Spoodle was rescued on July 19th at Oceano Dunes in San Luis Obispo. She made a full recovery and was released on August 9th at Point Reyes National Seashore. \u003ccite>(Marine Mammal Center)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Once animals are brought to the center, they are treated with anti-seizure medicine and given time to recover.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Along the northern California coast, the primary cause of marine algae blooms are natural factors such as \u003ca href=\"http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/02quest/background/upwelling/upwelling.html\">ocean upwelling of nutrient-rich water\u003c/a> combined with warm ocean temperatures. Blooms are also fed by polluted runoff from agriculture and other human activity, and are projected to increase in frequency and severity due to climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Other animals such as dolphins, Guadalupe fur seals, northern fur seals and southern sea otters are also affected by the toxin.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Beached Sea lions are turning up on California’s central coast with domoic acid poisoning, an affliction associated with marine algae blooms. The \u003ca href=\"http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/\">Marine Mammal Center\u003c/a> in Sausalito has admitted 68 sea lions into its veterinary hospital since July 1\u003csup>st\u003c/sup>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That many animals in such a pretty short time period is a severe event,” says Cara Field, staff veterinarian at the Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/science/top-research-projects/domoic-acid-toxicity-2017.html\">Domoic acid\u003c/a> is a neurotoxin, which is a byproduct of algae blooms that crop up in coastal marine waters throughout the year, especially during the summer months. The noxious compounds are eaten by anchovies and sardines which are then consumed by sea lions and other marine mammals.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"aligncenter\">\n\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/-PalzkxjilU'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/-PalzkxjilU'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\n\u003cp class=\"wp-caption-text\">Countdown the sea lion is head-weaving which is a telltale sign of domoic acid poisoning. After being admitted to the Marine Mammal Center, she was able to make a full recovery and was released on August 8th at Point Reyes National Seashore. (Marine Mammal Center)\u003c/p>\n\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>The symptoms of poisoning are neurological, including tremors and convulsions, which can affect immediate survival or cause long-term brain damage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Generally sea lions spend a lot of time foraging for food and swimming around,” Field explains. “If they accumulate this bio-toxin, they can have a seizure in the water, drown or be eaten. Often they end up on shore where they may have seizures on the beach.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There is a cascading effect of this poisoning in the sea lion community, explains Field, because most of the animals currently affected are lactating mothers with offspring that are dependent on them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s a bad prognosis for the pups,” says Field, “because they’re not getting fed or they’re getting stranded.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fortunately, sea lions are not an at-risk species and Field says their populations are stable.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignright\">‘Our rescue teams were…working all day and all night, collecting animals and bringing them in for treatment’\u003ccite>Cara Field, Marine Mammal Center\u003c/cite>\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>The number of affected sea lions is up since last year. A total of 89 animals have been treated so far this year, compared with 70 last year. However, in years with the biggest algae blooms, such as 2014-2015, numbers of affected animals were well above 200.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Marine Mammal Center started tracking sea lion domoic acid poisoning in 1998, and since then, has seen these events evolve from being a summer-only problem, to a year-round one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Afflicted sea lions often display abnormal behaviors including head waving and wobbling, disorientation and a general lack of responsiveness. If you see a sea lion on the beach, Field advises you not to approach it. Instead call the center’s 24-hour \u003ca href=\"http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/what-we-do/rescue/report-a-stranded-marine-mammal.html\">hotline\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>July was a busy month for the hotline. Some days, up to 10 sea lions were reported, many from San Luis Obispo County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Our rescue teams were in that area working all day and all night, collecting animals and bringing them in for treatment,” says Field.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1914659\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 4032px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1914659\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-%C2%AC-The-Marine-Mammal-Center.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center.jpg 4032w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-1920x1440.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-1180x885.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-960x720.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-240x180.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-375x281.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/08/4.-CSL_Spoodle_in-rehab_-¬-The-Marine-Mammal-Center-520x390.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Spoodle was rescued on July 19th at Oceano Dunes in San Luis Obispo. She made a full recovery and was released on August 9th at Point Reyes National Seashore. \u003ccite>(Marine Mammal Center)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Once animals are brought to the center, they are treated with anti-seizure medicine and given time to recover.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Along the northern California coast, the primary cause of marine algae blooms are natural factors such as \u003ca href=\"http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/02quest/background/upwelling/upwelling.html\">ocean upwelling of nutrient-rich water\u003c/a> combined with warm ocean temperatures. Blooms are also fed by polluted runoff from agriculture and other human activity, and are projected to increase in frequency and severity due to climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Other animals such as dolphins, Guadalupe fur seals, northern fur seals and southern sea otters are also affected by the toxin.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "Why Is an Algae Bloom Closing Crab Season in California?",
"headTitle": "Why Is an Algae Bloom Closing Crab Season in California? | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Update: Nov 6, 5:55 p.m.:\u003c/em> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State officials have delayed the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season, which was scheduled for November 15th. It will remain closed until tests show the crab is safe for consumption. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife also closed the commercial rock crab fishery, which is normally open year-round. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Original Story:\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State officials have closed recreational fishing for Dungeness and rock crab on the California coast north of Santa Barbara to the Oregon border, due to a large algae bloom that’s making the crab unsafe for consumption.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bloom, created by an organism called \u003cem>Pseudo-nitzschia, \u003c/em>produces a neurotoxin that can build up in marine life. It causes vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping in humans and even death in severe cases.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Officials are expected to delay the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season as well. It’s scheduled to open on November 15th. The recreational fishery will open as soon as test samples show the crab is safe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So how does this toxin get into marine animals and when might it clear out?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>KQED News spoke with Clarissa Anderson, a research scientist at the Institute of Marine Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, to find out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Algae blooms off the Pacific coast aren’t new but why is this one so large and persistent?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This bloom has been unprecedented in its extent and its persistence. It started in May and continued on to September. And while we were expecting such a bloom in the spring and even into the summer as has happened in years past, we did not really expect to see this continue into September.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignright\">‘The issue with the crabs is that toxin can persist in the sediments.’ \u003ccite>Clarissa Anderson, UC Santa Cruz\u003c/cite>\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>The warm temperatures all along the North Pacific and off the West Coast are contributing to the persistence of this bloom and are allowing it to stay in the surface waters. We’re now starting to see that subside a little bit as we go into fall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Why are the waters so warm? Is it El Niño?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Well, it’s true that El Niño is on its way. But we’re not quite seeing the manifestations of El Niño in California just yet. For the last two years, we have seen these very high temperatures in the waters off the coast and we’re calling that the warm “blob.” And that has been interacting with the bloom and sort of creating an unprecedented situation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How long might these levels of domoic acid last in the ocean?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We know from weekly sampling that domoic acid levels, at least in the surface waters, have been coming down for the last two months. And they’re pretty low now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The issue with the crabs is that toxin can persist in the sediments. And those crabs are feeding on all kinds of crustaceans and shrimp along the bottom. And so the crabs are bio-accumulating it in their flesh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So this toxin, while it might not be continuing to be produced by the algae, it certainly is in the sediments and could last there for quite some time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[contextly_sidebar id=”0U6kFEVdBEJtwZ4hjwMIu1StxDI0HbXE”]\u003cstrong>Could storms or high winds clear out the algae bloom?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If we start to see some big storms from El Niño, we might start to see the water column turn over and some of these toxins flush away.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But as far as sediments go, it might be a little trickier. But I think that some storms would do a lot to clear this up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>So once a crab has this level of domoic acid in its body, how long does it take for it to clear out of the crab so it’s safe to eat?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We don’t have great data on the clearance rate of domoic acid from crabs. We know that they will clear it out naturally via their kidneys and they will excrete it. But we don’t know just how long it will take if they continue to acquire it and feed an environment where there is a lot of domoic acid.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So the question is: are they going to continue to acquire it or will they be able to just excrete it over a number of days to weeks. And then we can move on and start harvesting them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>And it’s not just crabs that are being affected by the neurotoxin, right? People should avoid eating fresh sardines and anchovies.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This toxin can work its way up the food web and we’ve seen unusual mortality events in California sea lions and also whales farther north in Alaska. Sea lions have been stranding within California as well as in Oregon and Washington throughout the summer and are continuing to strand.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Update: Nov 6, 5:55 p.m.:\u003c/em> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State officials have delayed the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season, which was scheduled for November 15th. It will remain closed until tests show the crab is safe for consumption. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife also closed the commercial rock crab fishery, which is normally open year-round. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Original Story:\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State officials have closed recreational fishing for Dungeness and rock crab on the California coast north of Santa Barbara to the Oregon border, due to a large algae bloom that’s making the crab unsafe for consumption.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bloom, created by an organism called \u003cem>Pseudo-nitzschia, \u003c/em>produces a neurotoxin that can build up in marine life. It causes vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping in humans and even death in severe cases.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Officials are expected to delay the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season as well. It’s scheduled to open on November 15th. The recreational fishery will open as soon as test samples show the crab is safe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So how does this toxin get into marine animals and when might it clear out?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>KQED News spoke with Clarissa Anderson, a research scientist at the Institute of Marine Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, to find out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Algae blooms off the Pacific coast aren’t new but why is this one so large and persistent?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This bloom has been unprecedented in its extent and its persistence. It started in May and continued on to September. And while we were expecting such a bloom in the spring and even into the summer as has happened in years past, we did not really expect to see this continue into September.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignright\">‘The issue with the crabs is that toxin can persist in the sediments.’ \u003ccite>Clarissa Anderson, UC Santa Cruz\u003c/cite>\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>The warm temperatures all along the North Pacific and off the West Coast are contributing to the persistence of this bloom and are allowing it to stay in the surface waters. We’re now starting to see that subside a little bit as we go into fall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Why are the waters so warm? Is it El Niño?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Well, it’s true that El Niño is on its way. But we’re not quite seeing the manifestations of El Niño in California just yet. For the last two years, we have seen these very high temperatures in the waters off the coast and we’re calling that the warm “blob.” And that has been interacting with the bloom and sort of creating an unprecedented situation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How long might these levels of domoic acid last in the ocean?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We know from weekly sampling that domoic acid levels, at least in the surface waters, have been coming down for the last two months. And they’re pretty low now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The issue with the crabs is that toxin can persist in the sediments. And those crabs are feeding on all kinds of crustaceans and shrimp along the bottom. And so the crabs are bio-accumulating it in their flesh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So this toxin, while it might not be continuing to be produced by the algae, it certainly is in the sediments and could last there for quite some time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Could storms or high winds clear out the algae bloom?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If we start to see some big storms from El Niño, we might start to see the water column turn over and some of these toxins flush away.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But as far as sediments go, it might be a little trickier. But I think that some storms would do a lot to clear this up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>So once a crab has this level of domoic acid in its body, how long does it take for it to clear out of the crab so it’s safe to eat?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We don’t have great data on the clearance rate of domoic acid from crabs. We know that they will clear it out naturally via their kidneys and they will excrete it. But we don’t know just how long it will take if they continue to acquire it and feed an environment where there is a lot of domoic acid.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So the question is: are they going to continue to acquire it or will they be able to just excrete it over a number of days to weeks. And then we can move on and start harvesting them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>And it’s not just crabs that are being affected by the neurotoxin, right? People should avoid eating fresh sardines and anchovies.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This toxin can work its way up the food web and we’ve seen unusual mortality events in California sea lions and also whales farther north in Alaska. Sea lions have been stranding within California as well as in Oregon and Washington throughout the summer and are continuing to strand.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_15537\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15537\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/03/5647867669_916b214f92_b-e1395333551140.jpg\" alt=\"By studying sea lions suffering from epilepsy, we may learn more about seizures in humans. (lowjumpingfrog/Flickr)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">By studying sea lions suffering from epilepsy, scientists may learn more about seizures in humans. (\u003ca href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenorton/5647867669/\">lowjumpingfrog/Flickr\u003c/a>)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Some sea lions suffer from a form of epilepsy that bears a striking resemblance to epilepsy in humans. That insight could help scientists develop treatments and eventually find a cure for \u003ca href=\"http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/syndromes/temporallobeepilepsy.cfm\">temporal lobe epilepsy\u003c/a>, one of the most common forms that people get.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California sea lions can get seizures and eventually develop epilepsy when they’re exposed to \u003ca href=\"http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/science/top-research-projects/domoic-acid-toxicity.html\">domoic acid\u003c/a>, a toxin produced by some algae blooms. The Marine Mammal Center in Marin County treats sea lions suffering from seizures, but in some cases has to euthanize them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I talked with Dr. Paul Buckmaster, a neurologist at Stanford University who’s studying the sea lions at the Marine Mammal Center. This is an edited version of our conversation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Why is this comparison with people important? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignleft\">‘We’re still trying to understand what causes seizures in people with temporal lobe epilepsy.’\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>It’s important for the sea lions because it gives us a better understanding of what’s causing their epilepsy as well as the behavioral problems they show after being exposed to the toxin. Those problems are so severe that those animals will suffer if they’re released—they will starve to death. Now, they’re being euthanized—in a way, to prevent their suffering. It’s a really serious problem for them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s important for people because we’re still trying to understand what causes seizures in people with temporal lobe epilepsy. One of the main ways we study that is by studying mice and rats, but the brain damage in mice and rats is not as similar to people as the brain damage in sea lions. So we might be able to learn more about human temporal lobe epilepsy by studying the sea lions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are the next steps in your research?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of the areas that we’re working on now is to widen our view. Instead of just focusing on one part of the brain—the part that’s most damaged in sea lions and in humans—we’re looking at other parts of the brain as well. We might get some clues because we can get better images of the brains of sea lions than we can of people anatomically. We’re able to preserve the tissue better. We can also use additional stains and look at more areas of the brain than we can in people with temporal lobe epilepsy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If we find some parts that might be damaged in sea lions that haven’t been recognized in people yet, we can direct the clinicians towards those areas, and say, “Look in these spots as well. See if you can find anything using non-invasive imaging techniques.” We might find some additional areas that are damaged that might be important and contribute to the seizures that people have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Are there any connections between domoic acid and epilepsy in humans?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In humans, there was an outbreak in the late ’80s when a bunch of people ate this toxin because it was in the shellfish they were eating. This was in the Montreal area, and the mussels came from Prince Edward Island where they were cultivated. A lot of people became sick. They had gastrointestinal symptoms. Some of the more severe cases also had seizures and memory loss. In some cases, that memory loss was permanent. They couldn’t make new memories after that. One of those patients who had the severe symptoms later developed epilepsy. So it’s possible for people to develop epilepsy if they eat this poison. But now seafood that’s available in restaurants and seafood stores is screened.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Is there a possible treatment for the sea lions?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>No, there’s not. That’s what’s really frustrating about this. In people, if they had developed epilepsy after eating the toxin, you would prescribe them anticonvulsant drugs. Then, they could take those on a daily basis to help control their seizures. We can’t do that with sea lions. The sea lions are wild animals. They are only at the Marine Mammal Center for treatment and rehabilitation, and then they must be released. There’s no way for them to continue treatment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How are different populations of sea lions and other animals affected?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Algae has population explosions called algal blooms. There are general trends, but they’re harder to predict on a finer timescale. They occur in focal areas along the coast, and if a sea lion is in the wrong place at the wrong time, they can be exposed and become intoxicated from the algae-made domoic acid. Other species are affected as well, not just sea lions. This was reported to cause a bunch of birds to die. Early on that was reported in the Santa Cruz area, there were brown pelicans and cormorants that were affected from the toxin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s also suspected — and there are some anecdotal reports — of it killing dolphins and possibly whales. In those cases and others as well, if the animal is affected but it just dies and sinks to the bottom of the ocean, no one might recognize it. With the sea lions, in many cases, they’re able to get to the shore where they’re found having seizures. Part of the reason it might seem more common in sea lions, it’s just recognized more frequently in sea lions because they’re abundant and they tend to end up in places where people will find them.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_15537\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15537\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/03/5647867669_916b214f92_b-e1395333551140.jpg\" alt=\"By studying sea lions suffering from epilepsy, we may learn more about seizures in humans. (lowjumpingfrog/Flickr)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">By studying sea lions suffering from epilepsy, scientists may learn more about seizures in humans. (\u003ca href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenorton/5647867669/\">lowjumpingfrog/Flickr\u003c/a>)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Some sea lions suffer from a form of epilepsy that bears a striking resemblance to epilepsy in humans. That insight could help scientists develop treatments and eventually find a cure for \u003ca href=\"http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/syndromes/temporallobeepilepsy.cfm\">temporal lobe epilepsy\u003c/a>, one of the most common forms that people get.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California sea lions can get seizures and eventually develop epilepsy when they’re exposed to \u003ca href=\"http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/science/top-research-projects/domoic-acid-toxicity.html\">domoic acid\u003c/a>, a toxin produced by some algae blooms. The Marine Mammal Center in Marin County treats sea lions suffering from seizures, but in some cases has to euthanize them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I talked with Dr. Paul Buckmaster, a neurologist at Stanford University who’s studying the sea lions at the Marine Mammal Center. This is an edited version of our conversation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Why is this comparison with people important? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignleft\">‘We’re still trying to understand what causes seizures in people with temporal lobe epilepsy.’\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>It’s important for the sea lions because it gives us a better understanding of what’s causing their epilepsy as well as the behavioral problems they show after being exposed to the toxin. Those problems are so severe that those animals will suffer if they’re released—they will starve to death. Now, they’re being euthanized—in a way, to prevent their suffering. It’s a really serious problem for them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s important for people because we’re still trying to understand what causes seizures in people with temporal lobe epilepsy. One of the main ways we study that is by studying mice and rats, but the brain damage in mice and rats is not as similar to people as the brain damage in sea lions. So we might be able to learn more about human temporal lobe epilepsy by studying the sea lions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are the next steps in your research?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of the areas that we’re working on now is to widen our view. Instead of just focusing on one part of the brain—the part that’s most damaged in sea lions and in humans—we’re looking at other parts of the brain as well. We might get some clues because we can get better images of the brains of sea lions than we can of people anatomically. We’re able to preserve the tissue better. We can also use additional stains and look at more areas of the brain than we can in people with temporal lobe epilepsy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If we find some parts that might be damaged in sea lions that haven’t been recognized in people yet, we can direct the clinicians towards those areas, and say, “Look in these spots as well. See if you can find anything using non-invasive imaging techniques.” We might find some additional areas that are damaged that might be important and contribute to the seizures that people have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Are there any connections between domoic acid and epilepsy in humans?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In humans, there was an outbreak in the late ’80s when a bunch of people ate this toxin because it was in the shellfish they were eating. This was in the Montreal area, and the mussels came from Prince Edward Island where they were cultivated. A lot of people became sick. They had gastrointestinal symptoms. Some of the more severe cases also had seizures and memory loss. In some cases, that memory loss was permanent. They couldn’t make new memories after that. One of those patients who had the severe symptoms later developed epilepsy. So it’s possible for people to develop epilepsy if they eat this poison. But now seafood that’s available in restaurants and seafood stores is screened.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Is there a possible treatment for the sea lions?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>No, there’s not. That’s what’s really frustrating about this. In people, if they had developed epilepsy after eating the toxin, you would prescribe them anticonvulsant drugs. Then, they could take those on a daily basis to help control their seizures. We can’t do that with sea lions. The sea lions are wild animals. They are only at the Marine Mammal Center for treatment and rehabilitation, and then they must be released. There’s no way for them to continue treatment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How are different populations of sea lions and other animals affected?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Algae has population explosions called algal blooms. There are general trends, but they’re harder to predict on a finer timescale. They occur in focal areas along the coast, and if a sea lion is in the wrong place at the wrong time, they can be exposed and become intoxicated from the algae-made domoic acid. Other species are affected as well, not just sea lions. This was reported to cause a bunch of birds to die. Early on that was reported in the Santa Cruz area, there were brown pelicans and cormorants that were affected from the toxin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s also suspected — and there are some anecdotal reports — of it killing dolphins and possibly whales. In those cases and others as well, if the animal is affected but it just dies and sinks to the bottom of the ocean, no one might recognize it. With the sea lions, in many cases, they’re able to get to the shore where they’re found having seizures. Part of the reason it might seem more common in sea lions, it’s just recognized more frequently in sea lions because they’re abundant and they tend to end up in places where people will find them.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"info": "A one-hour radio program to hear celebrated writers, artists and thinkers address contemporary ideas and values, often discussing the creative process. Please note: tapes or transcripts are not available",
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"airtime": "SUN 1pm-2pm, TUE 10pm, WED 1am",
"meta": {
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"source": "City Arts & Lectures"
},
"link": "https://www.cityarts.net",
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"rss": "https://www.cityarts.net/feed/"
}
},
"closealltabs": {
"id": "closealltabs",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
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"order": 1
},
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"id": "code-switch-life-kit",
"title": "Code Switch / Life Kit",
"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
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"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
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"meta": {
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"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
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"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
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"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"order": 9
},
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM5NTU3MzgxNjMz",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "http://freakonomics.com/",
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"meta": {
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"source": "WNYC"
},
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
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},
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"id": "fresh-air",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
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"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
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"hidden-brain": {
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"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
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"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
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"source": "NPR"
},
"link": "/radio/program/hidden-brain",
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"how-i-built-this": {
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"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
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"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
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"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
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"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
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"order": 15
},
"link": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
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"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/2p3Fifq96nw9BPcmFdIq0o?si=39209f7b25774f38",
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},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
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"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1492194549",
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},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
"meta": {
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},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
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"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
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"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
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},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
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"source": "WaitWhat"
},
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"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
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}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
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"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"subscribe": {
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
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},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
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"meta": {
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"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
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"source": "pbs"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
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