Algae Samples Show Toxic Levels in St. Johns River

Dr. Mark Aubel

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The St. Johns River Water Management District released new results from algae samples in the St. Johns River Thursday.

The World Health Organization recommends 10 parts per billion as the level of toxins in water.

Near Mandarin Point, the district says there are 36 parts per billion. In San Marco, 196, and in Green Cove Springs, 272. More than half the areas tested are above the normal count.

This algae bloom is the biggest since the nineties.

The Health Department says some of the algae is toxic.

"It's there in quantities all the time, but this year, it's really just exploded," said Dr. Mark Aubel, Greenwater Labs.

Dr. Aubel and his staff are testing the water. Their lab in Palatka is one of a handful in the U.S., so they're testing hundreds of samples each week from all over the country.

Dr. Aubel says not all the algae is toxic, so they test each sample to see if there are toxins, and if so, how many.

He says he's not suprised at how many toxins they're finding.

"When we have some really thick blooms, I'm pretty confident there are going to be toxins," said Dr. Aubel.

He says this current bloom is more dense and widespread than blooms in the past.

It's called microcystis, and it's known for it's production of toxic compounds.

The St. Johns River Water Management District says they'll continue to test the river for algae levels. Results will be released as they become available.

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