Harmful Algal Bloom at a Park in Delran

Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) was found at Amico Island Park in Delran on a Friday morning. After executing a test on Tuesday afternoon, the Department of Environmental Protection verified the existence of HAB. Signages are being scattered all over in Amico Island Park in Delran, instructing the residents including their pets and all livestock not to have contact with water.

According to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, HABs exist when there is out of control development and manufactures large amount of toxins with harmful results to people and other living things. Inactive water circulation and unusually high water temperatures have been noted as contributing elements.
(Source: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/why_habs.html)

On the other hand, the development of algae has been accredited to nutrient pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency designates nutrient pollution as one of America’s most extensive and exorbitant environmental challenges. Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous are a chunk of every aquatic ecosystem, yet, human action can initiate huge and harmful amounts of such nutrients into other bodies and coastal water. The main source of nutrient pollution is huge scale agriculture, stormwater, wastewater, fossil fuels and home fertilizers.

“At this time of year, environmental conditions are favourable to the formation of these HABs. So far this summer, we have seen three instances of Harmful Algae Blooms in Burlington County, first in Smithville Lake (Eastampton), last Friday in Sylvan Lake (Burlington Township) and now at Amico Island Pond (Delran Township),” said Dr. Herb Conaway, Director of Burlington County Health Department. “We will continue to monitor our county’s recreational lakes and ponds for signs of harmful algae blooms. If you see a suspected algae bloom, please call the health department at (609) 265-5548 or NJ Department of Environmental Protection at 877-WARNDEP.”

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