grim reefer
07-26-2007, 04:36 PM
I just read this article and thought I should post it here. F#cked up
A three-year federal study says human sewage has made its way to the Florida Keys' fragile offshore coral reef and affected one of the most pristine and popular dive spots.
Environmental Protection Agency scientist and marine ecologist Bill Kruczynski presented the results Tuesday at the Water Quality Steering Committee of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The study, which scientists still must review to test the conclusions of its three authors, comes as Monroe County governments agonize over how to replace cesspits and septic tanks with a central sewer system by the state-mandated 2010 deadline.
State officials gave stern warnings to Keys government leaders, some of whom are fighting the mandate, that the deadline is firm and fines will be imposed if requirements are not met.
"Human sewage has contaminated the groundwater underlying the Florida reef tract," according to conclusions from the study. An EPA press release issued Tuesday says "the detection of these bacteria near shore suggests that land-based sources of sewage pollution, like cesspits and septic systems, may be significant contributors."
The study, conducted from 2003 to 2005, found common fecal indicator bacteria, which include fecal coliform and enterococci, and human viruses in corals and groundwater in the Upper Keys, including Molasses Reef in Key Largo. Fecal bacteria, which are not pathogens themselves, serve as indicators for other disease-causing microbes found in sewage, EPA officials said.
Levels of fecal bacteria detected in surface waters declined with distance from shore, but tended to be higher on the surface of corals compared to surrounding water. Coral colonies "accumulate viruses like flypaper," Kruczynski said. Genetic material from intestinal viruses, which can cause disease and are spread through infected human feces and urine, were found in groundwater six miles offshore, EPA officials said.
"Viruses were detected more frequently during rainfall in the summer months, when they were most likely to be found in groundwater," the press release says. "This suggests that sewage-contaminated groundwater is reaching the offshore reefs of the Florida Keys."
EPA officials also called on Keys municipalities to install central wastewater management systems and other treatment systems to "restore and maintain water quality in the area."
Keys reefs have experienced a 37 percent decline in living coral cover since 1996 and an increase in coral bleaching and coral diseases. The reefs are affected by overuse, pollution and global warming, scientists have said.
Scott Zimmerman, executive director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen's Association, questions whether there is a link between the sewage making its way to the reef and damage to the coral and the introduction of a herpeslike virus in spiny lobster that has caused a reduction in the commercial catch of lobster.
"The lobster virus could be related to this occurrence, deep welling of wastewater and flushing it off shore," Zimmerman said. "The more variety of bacteria, the worse off it is for larvae populations of our commercially harvested animals.
"We're ruining our nurseries. I don't see any short-term fix for what is one of the worst problems in the Florida Keys."
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A three-year federal study says human sewage has made its way to the Florida Keys' fragile offshore coral reef and affected one of the most pristine and popular dive spots.
Environmental Protection Agency scientist and marine ecologist Bill Kruczynski presented the results Tuesday at the Water Quality Steering Committee of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The study, which scientists still must review to test the conclusions of its three authors, comes as Monroe County governments agonize over how to replace cesspits and septic tanks with a central sewer system by the state-mandated 2010 deadline.
State officials gave stern warnings to Keys government leaders, some of whom are fighting the mandate, that the deadline is firm and fines will be imposed if requirements are not met.
"Human sewage has contaminated the groundwater underlying the Florida reef tract," according to conclusions from the study. An EPA press release issued Tuesday says "the detection of these bacteria near shore suggests that land-based sources of sewage pollution, like cesspits and septic systems, may be significant contributors."
The study, conducted from 2003 to 2005, found common fecal indicator bacteria, which include fecal coliform and enterococci, and human viruses in corals and groundwater in the Upper Keys, including Molasses Reef in Key Largo. Fecal bacteria, which are not pathogens themselves, serve as indicators for other disease-causing microbes found in sewage, EPA officials said.
Levels of fecal bacteria detected in surface waters declined with distance from shore, but tended to be higher on the surface of corals compared to surrounding water. Coral colonies "accumulate viruses like flypaper," Kruczynski said. Genetic material from intestinal viruses, which can cause disease and are spread through infected human feces and urine, were found in groundwater six miles offshore, EPA officials said.
"Viruses were detected more frequently during rainfall in the summer months, when they were most likely to be found in groundwater," the press release says. "This suggests that sewage-contaminated groundwater is reaching the offshore reefs of the Florida Keys."
EPA officials also called on Keys municipalities to install central wastewater management systems and other treatment systems to "restore and maintain water quality in the area."
Keys reefs have experienced a 37 percent decline in living coral cover since 1996 and an increase in coral bleaching and coral diseases. The reefs are affected by overuse, pollution and global warming, scientists have said.
Scott Zimmerman, executive director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen's Association, questions whether there is a link between the sewage making its way to the reef and damage to the coral and the introduction of a herpeslike virus in spiny lobster that has caused a reduction in the commercial catch of lobster.
"The lobster virus could be related to this occurrence, deep welling of wastewater and flushing it off shore," Zimmerman said. "The more variety of bacteria, the worse off it is for larvae populations of our commercially harvested animals.
"We're ruining our nurseries. I don't see any short-term fix for what is one of the worst problems in the Florida Keys."
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