SARASOTA -- The state of Florida is giving a Sarasota-based marine research institute more than $3 million to work on three projects to fight toxic blue-green algae.
The bacteria commonly appears in Florida's freshwater lakes every spring and summer, creating a stink, affecting safety for swimming and drinking, and forcing state health officials to issue warnings.
Dr. Emily Hall, a scientist with Mote, is working with the creators of a product called "LakeGuard Dew". The product floats on the water and causes particles to clump together for easy removal. This helps remove the bacteria and reduce the nutrients that feed it.
Other projects involve using a floating collector to remove the algae, and using a biodegradable formula to eliminate bacteria cells and their toxins.
Hall says they hope to scale up the projects, allowing them to report whether they were successful in cutting back algae.
Find out more about Mote's work against cyanobacteria by listening to our Beyond the News podcast below.
Photo: Mote Marine Lab