The Invading Sea
  • Commentary
  • Editorials
  • News
  • Multimedia
  • About
No Result
View All Result
The Invading Sea
  • Commentary
  • Editorials
  • News
  • Multimedia
  • About
No Result
View All Result
The Invading Sea
No Result
View All Result

Make small changes to protect rivers such as the Santa Fe | Letters

About 1,800 tons of nitrates enter the river each year through human pollution

by Miranda Guse
March 16, 2023
in Commentary
0

By Miranda Guse

Being by the water always brings me back to lake days with my grandparents, paddleboarding with my family and fishing off our dock. While I’ve moved plenty of times, both in and out of state, my passion for aquatic environments has always stuck.

Miranda Guse

It followed me to Gainesville and drew me to the Santa Fe River. Unfortunately, the river is in trouble.

According to the Florida Springs Institute, about 1,800 tons of nitrates enter the river each year through human pollution. Areas like Poe Springs have fallen victim to rapid eutrophication and harmful algal blooms, causing both environmental decay and economic loss for the tourist spot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that harmful algal blooms can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, intestinal issues and even neurological symptoms. Locals and tourists alike are exposed to this harmful pollution due to urban and agricultural runoff and the consequences of groundwater pumping.

A bald cypress hangs over the Santa Fe River in North Florida. (iStockphoto image)

We need to work together as a community to protect the river by using slow-release fertilizers, bagging our leaves and grass clippings, picking up pet waste, reducing lawn fertilizer use and reducing watering of lawns, all of which reduce nutrient runoff.

These are some relatively small changes that are easy to integrate into our daily routine to conserve and protect this beautiful river. With all the enjoyment and memories it has provided us, it is now our turn to give back.

Miranda Guse is an undergraduate at the University of Florida. This piece was written for Audubon Florida’s Write for Climate program. 

Tags: Florida Springs Instituteharmful algal bloomsSanta Fe River
Previous Post

Congress may be driving the right whale to extinction

Next Post

Water is ‘our way of life’ but makes Florida vulnerable to climate change

Next Post
Water is ‘our way of life’ but makes Florida vulnerable to climate change

Water is ‘our way of life’ but makes Florida vulnerable to climate change

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Twitter Facebook

About this website

The Invading Sea is a non-partisan source for news, commentary and educational content about climate change and other environmental issues affecting Florida. The site is managed by Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Environmental Studies in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Read more 

 

Archives

Categories

Audio Commentary Editorials Multimedia News Other The Business of Climate Change Video

© 2022 The Invading Sea

No Result
View All Result
  • Commentary
  • Editorials
  • News
  • Multimedia
  • About

© 2022 The Invading Sea

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Go to mobile version