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Flesh-Eating Bacteria, Toxic Algae, Oxygen-Starved Waters Were Widespread in 2023, Thanks to Nitrogen and Warmer Waters

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Christopher Gobler Ph.D. presented his annual State of the Bays symposium on water quality issues across Long Island earlier this monthy at Stony Brook University-Southampton. MICHAEL WRIGHT

Christopher Gobler Ph.D. presented his annual State of the Bays symposium on water quality issues across Long Island earlier this monthy at Stony Brook University-Southampton. MICHAEL WRIGHT

Nitrogen levels in Suffolk County groundwater have soared with population growth, presenting broad environmental and human health concerns, including cancer risks in humans and developmental issues in newborn babies. COURTESY OF THE GOBLER LAB

Nitrogen levels in Suffolk County groundwater have soared with population growth, presenting broad environmental and human health concerns, including cancer risks in humans and developmental issues in newborn babies. COURTESY OF THE GOBLER LAB

Over the decades, as nitrogen levels have climbed and waters have warmed, the number of different harmful algae species blooming in local bays has grown. COURTESY OF THE GOBLER LAB

Over the decades, as nitrogen levels have climbed and waters have warmed, the number of different harmful algae species blooming in local bays has grown. COURTESY OF THE GOBLER LAB

Suffolk County has more than four times as many water bodies that experience toxic blue green algae blooms than any other of the 62 counties in New York State. COURTESY OF THE GOBLER LAB

Suffolk County has more than four times as many water bodies that experience toxic blue green algae blooms than any other of the 62 counties in New York State. COURTESY OF THE GOBLER LAB

Suffolk County's grounwater has some of the highest levels of nitrates in the entire nation. COURTESY OF THE GOBLER LAB

Suffolk County's grounwater has some of the highest levels of nitrates in the entire nation. COURTESY OF THE GOBLER LAB

More than two dozen tidal and freshwater bodies on Long Island were stained by harmful algae blooms or starved of oxygen, leading to die-offs of marine species, in 2023.

More than two dozen tidal and freshwater bodies on Long Island were stained by harmful algae blooms or starved of oxygen, leading to die-offs of marine species, in 2023.

authorMichael Wright on Apr 17, 2024
Record-high temperatures globally and in local waters fueled the steadily worsening water quality crisis in Suffolk County’s groundwater, freshwater ponds, and tidal bays and harbors in 2023, Stony Brook University... more

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