The Spy received this update from the Sassafras River Association on algae blooms in the bay:
Recent algae blooms have been the blame for fish kills along the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. High levels of runoff nutrients and warm temperatures have caused the increase in Prorocentrum minimum. This algae species is common to the Bay every spring. Prorocentrum minimum is known as the “Mahogany Tide”, causing water to turn a brownish to mahogany color. The blooms usually lead to low levels of dissolved oxygen which can danger aquatic life. This species is believed to be non-toxic to humans, but has caused area beaches to be closed due to the bacteria of decaying fish.
Just like humans, fish need oxygen to survive. Oxygen enters water through the diffusion of the surrounding air, aeration of water, and a waste product of photosynthesis. When algae blooms die off dissolved oxygen levels decrease causing a dead zone and leaving the fish and aquatic life with less oxygen. This causes great stress on fish and aquatic life resulting in fish kills. Waterways along the Western Shore from Anne Arundel County to the Baltimore Harbor have experienced fish kills in the last few weeks. Blooms also cause the reduction of water clarity, reducing light penetration and the growth of aquatic plants.
Although the presence of algae has not been as prevalent on the Sassafras River this season, there have been small fish kills and blue-green algae has been reported along the Sassafras at Budd’s Landing. Maryland Department of Natural Resources has a monitoring station at this location, and more details concerning the River conditions can be found on DNR’s website.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.