By Allisson Paz
Brentwood High School
Suffolk County health officials have announced that blue-green algae were discovered at Roth Pond at Stony Brook University and other locations on Long Island, prompting health officials to warn the public to stay cautious.
Residents were told to keep their children and pets away from these waters and not to swim or wade in them. When the algae becomes more abundant they bloom in shades of green, blue-green, yellow, brown or red , health officials said. Those who come in contact with these waters should immediately rinse off with clean water.
The county has put in a lot of time and energy trying to slow down and manage this growing problem, according to Grace Kelly-McGovern, Public Relations Director at Suffolk County Department of Health Services. Over the past few years, the county has taken several steps in hopes of making a difference, whether it’s organizing clean-up efforts, or putting up signs to raise awareness.
“In Suffolk County, a new one-eighth percent sales tax was passed to fund a septic improvement program aimed at reducing nitrogen pollution in local waterways,“ she said. “The tax increase, approved in November by voters as Proposition 2, will generate an estimated $3.1 billion through 2060. Half of the revenue will go towards upgrading county-owned sewage treatment systems, while the other half will be allocated to homeowners for septic system replacements with nitrogen-reducing technology.”
This type of algae usually shows up in small amounts in lakes, ponds, and streams, and when it’s at normal levels, it doesn’t really cause any harm. It’s just part of the natural ecosystem. But when the algae starts to bloom and spread out of control, that’s when it becomes a problem. The overgrowth can mess with the balance of the water, blocking sunlight, lowering oxygen levels, and making it harder for fish and other animals to survive, according to the Suffolk County Health Department.
What was once a small, harmless part of nature quickly turns into something that’s damaging to everything living in and around the water. “Under favorable conditions of sunlight, temperature, and nutrient concentrations, they can form massive blooms that discolor the water and often result in scum and floating mats on the water’s surface.” according to the Suffolk County Health Department.
Health officials have also determined that the blue-green algae was found in other locations including Wainscott Pond in Wainscott, Lake Agawam in Southampton, Pond Lane and Swan Pond in East Hampton, Babylon Town Hall Park in Babylon, Maratooka Lake and Wolf Pit Lake, both in Mattituck.
According to Kelly-Mcgovern, there are many actions residents can take to help reduce the impact of blue-green algae
“To reduce cyanobacteria blooms, we must reduce nutrient concentrations. People can reduce fertilizer use, maintain their septic systems, manage stormwater runoff, and create natural buffers along shorelines,” she said.
Thursday afternoon, the Roth Pond looked especially uninviting, as it usually does. The water was intense, almost neon lime green, and completely murky. You couldn’t see even an inch below the surface.
Scattered across the top of the pond were all kinds of debris, including strange black clumps, piles of soggy leaves, and tiny creatures barely visible to the eye. It looked as if the pond hadn’t been cleaned or cared for in a while.
It was surprising to see turtles swimming around in that mess. The blue-green algae is ordinarily harmful to animals, but they moved through it anyway. It’s not clear how the condition of the pond might affect the wildlife that still calls it home.
Roth Pond is an artificial pond located in the heart of Stony Brook University’s campus. Over time it has become a spot many students recognize and visit.
Several years ago, the bottom liner tore and the pond completely drained, leaving behind a nearly empty, muddy mess. Most of the animals living in it didn’t survive, but after the university fixed the liner and filled it back up, wildlife like turtles and fish were slowly brought back in or returned on their own.
Now, the pond is not only a place for ducks and turtles to hang out, but it’s also home to one of the school’s most popular traditions, the Roth Pond Regatta, where students build their own boats and race them across the water every spring.
Blue-green algae has become a growing problem around Long Island, including at Roth Pond , where it continues to show up during warmer months . Although it occurs naturally when it blooms too much, it harms both the environment and the animals that live there.