No need for vacationers to test the waters here, experts say.
The summer vacation spoiler has been identified as a cyanobacterial bloom — and the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) says that the crummy blue-green conditions seem to be spreading, with a noticeable increase in scale since Aug. 2.
Currently, the contamination stretches approximately 160 miles and impacts coastal communities, ranging from Monroe, Michigan, to Port Clinton, Ohio.
The Buckeye State’s beloved Sandusky Bay is an especially adversely affected area and has comparatively strong concentrations of cyanobacteria — and cyanotoxins, a byproduct of the microorganisms — in the lake water.
The Ohio Department of Health has advised residents and visitors along the western shore of Lake Erie to keep out of the water due to “unsafe levels” of bacterial contamination.
In concentrated amounts, cyanotoxins can result in mild conditions ranging from diarrhea, headaches and skin irritation to more serious, life-threatening states depending on prior conditions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
“If you see scum, keep your pets and yourself out of the water,” urged the NCCOS in a statement.
The organization also said that the bloom can be particularly intense during certain weather conditions.
During calm, low wind periods, it gathers on the surface as “scum,” rather than being broken up by the Great Lake’s raucous waves.
The NCCOS maintains that over the past decade or so, concentrated cyanobacteria sightings in Lake Erie have become more common, especially from June to October.
The EPA explained that the microorganisms are “very important to aquatic ecosystems” because they are photosynthetic — which is why conditions are worse in summertime — and support marine food webs; however, excessive growth can lead to concerns for aquatic and human health alike.
Bearing that in mind, those looking to watch where they wade this summer can take a peek at a consistently updated map of Lake Erie by NCCOS that specifically monitors algal blooms.
While the recent blooms don’t impact lakegoers in New York, The Empire State has been exposed to its own fair share of aquatic advisories this summer — even trendy Hamptons beaches have been affected.
Windmill Beach in Sag Harbor was rated the 7th worst bacteria-rated beach in the U.S. this year, per a report from Surfrider Foundation — and just two years back, the EPA reported that over half of New York beaches are contaminated by sewage and feces.
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