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CHESAPEAKE BAY: ALGAE CONFIRMED AS FACTOR IN FISH KILL

A Pfiesteria piscicida expert yesterday confirmed that the microbe contributed to the deaths of nearly 11,000 fish last week in Maryland's Pocomoke River (Greenwire, 8/4). North Carolina State U. researcher JoAnn Burkholder said Pfiesteria was present in the river at toxic levels.

Maryland Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin said state researchers would continue to investigate why the naturally occurring microbe suddenly became deadly. Next week, state Agriculture Dept. officials plan to analyze runoff from area farms to determine if high levels of nutrients from animal wastes caused Pfiesteria to become toxic (AP/Washington Times). Although two sewage plants -- "important sources of nutrients" -- discharge into the Pocomoke, Griffin said neither appeared to be a significant source for excessive nutrients (Goodman/Shields, Washington Post).

Meanwhile, Maryland officials yesterday said two more fish kills did not appear to be linked to Pfiesteria, because neither incident involved the lesions found on sick fish in the Pocomoke (Willis/Jensen, Baltimore Sun). (All cites 8/15).