The Good, The Bad, And The Algae | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

The Good, The Bad, And The Algae

Dangerous isn't the only word for this outbreak.

7
The Good, The Bad, And The Algae
Greg Lovett- The Palm Beach Post

I have always been a firm believer that no matter how much you are able to describe a person, place, or thing, a true understanding will never be formed until whoever is asking is able to experience it in person. This holds especially true when trying to describe your favorite place, whether it be your hometown, a place where you had randomly passed through years before, or where you feel the most comfortable.

Growing up as a child who was born and raised in one of the top vacation spots in the country, I was frequently bombarded with questions, both open-ended and short answered, about why my family had moved away from such an amazing location. After a few short years, I quickly learned that a few adjectives and a wave of the hand to go visit would suffice as answers. Yet, there was one thing that was never questioned: my love for the Sunshine State and the beauty of the land it resides on.

As such, you can imagine my horror when I first took in sight of the thick, blue-green algae that now inhabits some of the waterways I used to pass daily. Just as quickly, the sheer anger I felt when it had been described in a similar manner to “guacamole” was another shocking discovery.

In some ways, algae can be a beneficial addition to our surroundings for it can be used as shelter, food for young, and oxygen to any living organisms nearby. However, what we see today falls significantly short from being a positive change.

In recent developments on the case of the outbreak, tests have shown that the microorganism contains toxic elements that are dangerous if inhaled or touched, leaving many of the state residents outraged and scared.

However, they are not the only ones who should be.

Through having such toxins running through the water that millions of people visit each year, there are bound to be potential dangers, like irritation of the skin or severe nausea. In the case of wildlife, the reach of the algae has grown to places that were never before touched, like popular beaches on the east coast of the state. For some animal residents, like the “gentle giant” of the water (better known as manatees), getting a spray-down from a hose has now become a frequent sight. Under the lull of the waves, fish and other marine life are fighting to survive with the extra foliage above them.

Although I would like for this to be ruled as an accident for the state that I love, the cause of this conflict has been determined as an improper regulation of polluted substances. Accidents happen when people have no idea what they are doing (most of the time), but for those who created the system? It comes down to carelessness and through not taking action, we put ourselves and our environment in more danger.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
female tv characters
We Heart It

Over the past decade, television has undergone a very crucial transition: the incorporation of female lead characters. Since it's a known fact that girls actually do run the world (Beyonce said so herself), it's time for the leading ladies of the small screen to get some credit. Without these characters, women would still be sitting in the background of our favorite shows. These women are not only trailblazers for female empowerment, but role models for women worldwide. With that, here are 15 of the smartest, sassiest ladies gracing our screens that remind us that women do, indeed, rule:

Keep Reading...Show less
New Now Next
New Now Next

If you are like me, you have an interesting personality. Basically, you love to be sassy and snarky, gossip, and act like a total bitch (not really), but deep down, you are actually a very genuinely nice person. The idea of actually hurting someone truly makes you feel bad, and you probably have never actually hurt someone’s feelings because your kindness always shines through, even if you do not want it to. Not sure exactly what I would call this type of personality, but if you identify with it, here are some feelings you can undoubtedly relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf
Cub Magazine

We all have a little bit of Blair Waldorf inside of us. You may not realize it, but you're probably guilty of at least nine out of ten of these listed points. So why don't we reminisce on the famous Blair Waldorf moments where we realized we were actually her at certain times through the series?

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Confessions Of A Sleep-A-Holic

If your plans get cancelled, there is a 99.9% percent chance you are sleeping.

1436
woman lying on bed
Photo by Kinga Howard on Unsplash

1. What are some of your hobbies? Does sleep count?

I'm so good at sleeping I can do it with my eyes closed

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

7 Reasons To Watch One Tree Hill

"There is only one tree hill, Jaime Scott."

1584
one tree hill
Wikipedia Commons

If you need a new series to watch, I recommend One Tree Hill. I watched this series three times now and it only keeps getting better. If you need any more reasons beside the fact that all of the seasons are on Netflix for your binge-watching pleasure, here are seven more reasons to watch it.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments