Reported By: Jay Cashmere
November 22, 2006
Scientists at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce have just made a major discovery.
Two weeks ago they teamed up with researchers at Florida Atlantic University hitting the ocean bottom for a closer look at a growing problem.
Harbor Branch just returned from what could be one of their most important studies ever.
The team honed in on a form of algae growing on coral reefs right off our shores and just its presence its deadly let alone what it means for the future.
The day was clear, the seas were calm and the team was ready for full throttle ahead for the depths of the ocean.
"The mission took place just a couple miles offshore here straight off Juno Beach"
Harbor Branch scientist Dr.Brian Lapointe recounts a recent journey with FAU researchers that brought a significant find.
"What we found was a major reemergence of cholorabrakapus coming back on these reefs at least 50 percent cover the bottom."
The cumbersome blooms of deadly algae have made their way back off the coast of Palm Beach County. This, after a remission from hurricanes Jeanne and Frances.
Evidence of the bloom reappeared last summer...two weeks ago on this trip using this vessel it was confirmed.
"When you have this much biomass you get low oxygen conditions physical smothering of all biodiversity of reefs."
The bloom has come back with avengence destroying reefs and damaging the ecosystem. The mission to find it, was one of utmost importance.
"These are intelligent vehicles.."
Fraser Dalgleesh was on board when this torpedo looking autonomous underwater vehicle made a splash and dropped to depths of 300 feet capturing imagery and data. It was conclusive and a success given the variables.
"When using these autonomous underwater vehicles which don't have any tether to the surface vessel everyday is a good day when auv returns."
With raw evidence in hand...Harbor branch and fau researchers are now compiling their database in hopes of narrowing down the source of the blooms origin. It's suspected to be discharged nutrients from land and with more missions like this one... researchers are one step closer to making a case saving the environment one reef at a time.
"This is just gonna generate a wealth of information really expand on monitoring capabilities over scales spacial scales we have not been able to do previously."
Harbor Branch says they will conduct quarterly missions to check on the progress of this deadly algae.
