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Harmful algae growing in N.J. bay waters
BROWN ALGAE - USA (NJ)
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.orgDate: 13 Jun 2000
From: Craig E. Gibson Craigibson@aol.com
Source: Associated Press 8 June 2000 [edited]Harmful algae growing in N.J. bay waters
TRENTON -- Brown tides of algae killing eel grass and endangering shellfish have been found in Little Egg Harbor and Great Bay, researchers said. Three of 15 water samples taken recently from bay waters near Tuckerton and surrounding towns revealed moderate levels of the algae, said John Mahoney, a microbiologist for the National Marine Fishery Service in Sandy Hook.
On Wednesday, Mahoney and a team of scientists took more samples from Great Bay and Barnegat Bay. "We did see brown water all the way from Great Bay to Mantoloking and Barnegat Bay, so it appears to be another major brown tide," Mahoney said. He said the scientists will do microscopic tests on the water samples next week to confirm the findings. The water temperature in the bays is still cool enough for growth of the algae, Mahoney added.
The brown tide of algae, which are tiny microorganisms, turns bay waters yellowish-brown. The algae were first found in waters here in 1989. Paul Bologna, a research scientist at Rutgers University's marine field station in Tuckerton, said brown tide can be detrimental to water organisms, such as eel grass. Shellfish such as blue crabs, bass scallops, and grass shrimps feed on eel grass, Bologna said.