algae

The organism that causes red tide was detected in 49 samples along the coast of Southwest Florida. But bloom-level concentrations were present in just nine samples.

Residents along the beach communities, especially those cleaning out their homes and businesses from Hurricane Helene, may experience respiratory irritation when concentrations are higher.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has earmarked $30 million to pay for efforts to reduce blue-green algae in Caloosahatchee River and increase water quality

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County canceled five health warnings due to harmful algal blooms in the Caloosahatchee River

Hurricane Ian’s landfall on Sept. 28 last year helped foster a red-tide-a-thon that lasted eight months. Now there have been seven blue-green algae health advisories in Lee County alone since May

Blooms have already formed in Lake Okeechobee this spring and things are shaping up for a repeat of 2018 in the Caloosahatchee River this summer after Hurricane Ian set in motion the same events as Irma.

Researchers call it "sea sawdust," and it has a friendly relationship with the organism that causes red tide.

Hurricane season is long gone, but Florida's waterways are still recovering. The powerful storms pushed millions of gallons of sewage and fertilizer into freshwater bodies ,causing outbreaks of blue-green algae, which can be toxic to humans and fish.

Winds from the north expected during a major cold front coming through Thursday should push the red tide offshore or back to the south, away from the beaches.

From Tampa Bay south to Ten Thousand Islands, the algae bloom is so prevalent, pungent and potentially poisonous that the authors of health advisories ignored the long-established practice of softening the language to avoid scaring away tourists.