Flesh-Eating Bacteria, Toxic Algae, Oxygen-Starved Waters Were Widespread in 2023, Thanks to Nitrogen and Warmer Waters - 27 East
logo logo logo logo

Sag Harbor Express

East Hampton Press / News / Environment / News / Southampton Press / Environment / Environment / News / Sag Harbor Express / 2246024

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

icon 6 Photos
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

You May Also Like:

NYIT Students Envision a Sustainable Sag Harbor

New York Institute of Technology students, who used Sag Harbor as a model for their ... 30 Apr 2024 by Stephen J. Kotz

Sag Harbor Planning Board Will Require Environmental Impact Study for Potter’s Mixed-Use Development

After listening to a long report in the jargon-laden language of the State Environmental Quality ... by Stephen J. Kotz

Student Art Project Dives Into Sag Harbor’s ‘Bathtub’

With rising sea level a given, Sag Harbor needs to search for ways to remain ... by Stephen J. Kotz

Drake Appointed Sag Harbor Police Chief

Robert Drake, who has been with the Sag Harbor Police Department for 23 years, was ... by Stephen J. Kotz

Plans For Lovelady Park Could Be Ready for North Haven Resident’s Review by Mid-Month

Barring any last-minute delays, North Haven Mayor Chris Fiore will present to the public a ... by Stephen J. Kotz

Roberts Will Challenge Fiore in North Haven Mayoral Race

Barbara Roberts, a long-time North Haven resident, has announced that she will challenge incumbent Mayor ... by Stephen J. Kotz

The Express News Group Wins Numerous Honors in State Newspaper Contest

Express News Group publications, editors, reporters, photographers, designers and advertising staff were honored with numerous ... by Staff Writer

Photographer’s Images Capture a Slice of Sag Harbor Life

A glimpse of Sag Harbor’s past in the form of a collection of more than ... by Stephen J. Kotz

The Common Good

On Long Island in the 1950s, our large family had one car and went to Jones Beach every summer. My father, aunt and three uncles served in the war, and families with lost sons lived among us. We knew the meaning of bravery and sacrifice, and we voted with the best interests of our country at heart. Today, we seem to have forgotten what “the common good” means. I want our country to return to a time of trust in our neighbors, good-paying union jobs, and a belief in doing what’s right for everyone, especially working families, the backbone of ... by Staff Writer

I Know What Moms Want

Mother’s Day is next week, and I’m thrilled. The hockey pucks don’t live with us right now, so I’ll be getting what most moms want on Mother’s Day: peace and quiet. I’m lucky. Many of my friends’ adult children’s apartment leases have ended, and they’ve moved back home to save a little money until they find a new place. This stinks for my friends, because when grown kids come back, they revert to teenagers. Even the most capable adult children — those with 401Ks and car insurance — backslide. Once home, these “grownups” leave their half-empty cups on every flat ... by Tracy Grathwohl