While scientists are still researching exactly how land-based nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus interact with, and increase the intensity of red tide, there is no doubt these nutrients are fueling the toxic blue-green algae bloom that’s still impacting Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers and their estuaries. Joining me now is Loren Parra, she’s Director of the George Barley Water Prize, which is administered by the Everglades Foundation.
It’s an ongoing competition between researchers, and research teams from around the world who are seeking cost-effective ways to remove phosphorus from natural bodies of water. Teams spent several cold months in Toronto earlier this year testing their techniques, and soon four finalists will be heading to Lake Jesup northeast of Orlando for the next phase of testing.
