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Takayama Algal Bloom in Lee and Collier Counties


Rare algal species blooms along the beaches of south Lee and Collier County


On 9/9/2010 a microscopic algae bloom was found at Barefoot Beach and, in early-to-mid September, the algae was blooming in concentrations as high as 30 million cells per liter along the beaches from Lover’s Key south to Naples.  By 9/22, the Naples Daily News reported that the bloom was diminishing.  On 9/29, the bloom continued to diminish but had spread south to Marco Island beaches (see links to stories below).

On 9/20, it was reported that there was a fish kill in Estero Bay near the Takayama bloom and DEP took some oxygen samples. It was found that the water was anoxic. Anoxia will cause a release of hydrogen sulfide, which combines with oxygen, making things worse. It's very probable that the anoxia caused the fish kill, but a University of Maryland scientist will run a toxin test on the water samples to check for algal toxins. Capt. Dave Lanier called on 9/21 from Weeks Fish Camp in the area of the kill and said that their water turned black, which could have been caused by iron sulfide connected to the anoxia.  He called on 9/22 to report that the water had turned pink, which could have been caused by purple sulfur bacteria (which don't like oxygen). (updated 10/1/10)

Takayama cf acrotrocha is a dinoflagellate closely related takayamato the species that usually causes our red tides (Karenia brevis) but it is not known to produce the red tide toxin. There have been fish kills associated with Takayama, which may have been due to low oxygen depletion by dying algae or by releasing ichthyotoxins but there are no known human health effects, like respiratory irritation.

Takayama was also found early last summer in several canals on Marco Island.

The bloom colors the water yellow to rust-red and sometimes there are strings of mucous-like substance in the water. The water at Bonita Beach Wednesday, 9/15, had concentrations of 13 million cells per liter. SCCF Marine Lab Research Scientist Rick Bartleson and Visiting Research Scientist Art Weissbach are doing an experiment designed to show whether exudates from the algae affect its growth rate, and will characterize the pigments.

The algae was first tentatively identified as Takayama cf tuberculata (mentioned in the Naples Daily News story) but the "cf" means that identification is still uncertain.  It was Takayama tuberculata that bloomed last year in Marco Island canals.

Naples Daily News story on 9/29/10, bloom diminishing but on Marco beaches
Naples Daily News story on 9/22/10, bloom diminishing but lingering
There was a story with photos in the September 14 Naples Daily News.

Last updated:  10/1/10