State of the River report says algae blooms on rise

Overly-fertilized lawns, industrial waste, failing septic systems causes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Researchers from Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida released the ninth State of the River report on the St. Johns River earlier this month. While the report shows that some things are improving in the St. Johns, other things, like algae blooms, are on the rise.

The report illustrates lingering problems with the river being too dirty. Nitrogen levels are dropping, but phosphorous levels are still high, which contribute to algae blooms.

“Nitrogen levels are starting to decline -- we have that in our report this year,” JU research scientist Dr. Gerry Pinto said. “But a problem is phosphorous levels are still too high, as are other nutrients that algae consumes.”

“These nutrients are basically food for algae,” Pinto said. “When you have a lot of nutrients, it’s normal to have algae in the river, but excessive nutrients are going to cause algae blooms, which are going to cause problems.”

There are a number of things contributing to the high phosphorus levels; overly-fertilized lawns, industrial waste and more than 20,000 failing septic systems in Jacksonville. It’s one reason why fecal-coliform is also high in many tributaries.

The city and state, along with the Jacksonville Energy Authority, passed funding to hook those septic systems up to city sewage.

Another struggle for the St. Johns River is intense development in Jacksonville straining the river.

Researchers said to keep in mind that some of the concerning levels are starting to drop, and hopefully that’s a good thing for the river.

“It’s difficult to speculate five years out,” UNF chemistry professor Radha Pyati said. “I think the fact that nitrogen and phosphorous are starting to drop, total nitrogen and total phosphorous is something that’s good for the river.”


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Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.