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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Observations

Red Tide comes to Baldwin County
The discovery of red tide along Baldwin County's beaches has prompted warnings from the Alabama Department of Health, local health experts and city officials. State health officials said water samples, which were taken on Monday, show low to medium levels of the toxin releasing algal blooms from Little Lagoon Pass in Gulf Shores to Alabama Point in Orange Beach. It's concerning news for Mobile native Stephen Crigler, who brought his family down to Gulf Shores for Thanksgiving.
Gulf Shores, Alabama, United States
WPMI

Caribbean swamped by seaweed that smells like rotten eggs
From Belize to Barbados, tourist beaches have been swamped by huge tides of foul-smelling sargassum – and climate change could make the problem worse
Ambergris Caye, Belize, Belize
the Guardian

Red tide has contributed to the deaths of nearly 190 Florida manatees, FWC says
Red tide has contributed to or is suspected in the deaths of nearly 190 manatees so far this year.
Florida, United States
WFTS

Across the Arctic, bubbling lakes are leaking carbon dioxide, methane and other dangerous greenhouse gases
Set against the austere peaks of the Western Brooks Range, the lake, looked like it was boiling. Its waters hissed, bubbled and popped as a powerful greenhouse gas escaped from the lake bed.
Western Brooks Range, Alaska
National Post

Mass die-off of clams fouls Revere Beach
The Division of Marine Fisheries is analyzing the clams and expects to have preliminary results in the coming days that might point to a cause.
Revere, Massachusetts, United States
The Boston Globe

For methane researcher, golf course bubbles are a first
“It’s an area that I and some other colleagues have started thinking about: can you get methane forming in terrestrial environments? But it’s a very new area of science,” carbon scientist Katey Walter Anthony said.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Ravenna Koenig, Alaska's Energy Desk - Fairbanks

33.48 tons of dead fish collected in Pinellas County as red tide bloom lingers
Red tide is officially impacting Pinellas County. Crews have picked up a total of 33.48 tons of dead fish and hauled them off to the county dump.
Madeira Beach, Florida, United States
WFTS

Hundreds of Seals Are Dying on the New England Coast
Deaths of gray and harbor seals, in much greater numbers than usual, have been attributed to viruses related to distemper and the flu.
Isles of Shoals, United States
New York Times

The seaweed deluge hitting Caribbean shores
Sargassum, a type of seaweed, is creating problems as it washes up across the Caribbean.
Caribbean Shores
BBC News

Blue-green algae confirmed as cause of dogs' sudden deaths
Necropsy results show blue-green algae caused the deaths of three dogs playing near the St. John River more than a week ago.
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
CBC

Toxic algae bloom closes beach at state park in Northern NY
The beach at a state park in upstate New York has been closed because of a toxic algae bloom.
Moreau Lake, New York, United States
WCAX

Algae bloom closes part of Lake Micmac to people, dogs
Algae blooms may produce toxins that can cause mild to severe health problems, says Cameron Deacoff, an environmental performance officer with the municipality.
Lake Micmac, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
CBC News

90 percent of Lake Okeechobee smothered in blue-green algae bloom
EUMETSAT satellite shows blue-green algae bloom covering Lake Okeechobee.
Lake Okeechobee, Florida, United States
TCPalm

Possible algae bloom turns seawater red off Juneau
The overriding theory is that it's a bloom of algae brought on by rising water temperatures.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Blue-green algae bloom in Desbarats Lake
Not all blooms are harmful but some types can make humans and animals sick when breathed-in, swallowed or touched
Desbarats Lake, Ontario, Canada
SooToday.com

Algae in LaBelle: A second round of algal blooms on the way?
As the Southwest Florida community works to clean toxic algae from waterways, some are seeing signs that a second round could be headed their direction. “Unfortunately it looks likes like a repeat of what we saw last time,” said Mark Richey of North Fort Myers. Just seven weeks ago, the WINK News Drone showed a …
LaBelle, Florida, United States
WINK NEWS

Blue-green algae bloom in Heritage Lake
Alberta Health Services has issued a health advisory for Heritage Lake, near Morinville, until further notice. Blue-green algae blooms have been Alberta Health Services has issued a health advisory for Heritage Lake, near Morinville, until further notice.
Heritage Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
St. Albert Gazette

Algae blooms closes Moreau Lake swimming beach
MOREAU - The Moreau Lake State Park swimming beach has been closed due to an algal bloom causing potential health hazards, a spokesman for the state Officer Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation said Wednesday.
The beach was closed Tuesday afternoon as a precaution, said Dan Keefe, a spokesman for State Parks in Albany.
Moreau Lake, New York, United States
Times Union

Blue-green algae blooms sighted in Lac La Nonne, Peanut Lake
Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued two advisories last week regarding blue-green algae blooms in Peanut Lake and Lac La Nonne. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, is a naturally-occurring photosynthetic organism that often becomes visible when weather conditions are calm. Appearing as scum, fuzz, grass clippings or globs on the surface of water, blue-green algae
Lac La Nonne, Alberta, Canada
Barrhead Leader

New Brunswickers reminded about potential health risk of blue-green algae
The warning from New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health comes less than a week after three dogs died as a result of what is suspected to be a blue-green algae bloom.
Saint John River, New Brunswick, Canada
Global News

Florida Algae Blooms Send People to Hospital, Kill Marine Wildlife
Nearly 4,000 dead fish were counted on Sanibel area beaches and parks.
Saint Lucie River, Florida, United States
The Weather Channel

Nearly 300 Sea Turtles Dead as Red Tide Plagues Southwest Florida
Hundreds of sea turtles have washed up dead along the southwest Florida coast as an ongoing red tide event persists in the waters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has logged 287 sea turtle deaths since the virulent algal bloom started in October, the Associated Press reported.
Southwest Florida coast, United States
EcoWatch

Red-brown algae blooms spotted in Puget Sound
If you see something that looks like tomato soup in Puget Sound, here's why.
Puget Sound, Washington, United States
KING

Algae blooms disrupt Cape Coral canals with foul odor, green spray-paint look
Algae blooms have infiltrated much of the Cape Coral canal system, creating a foul odor and a green, spray-paint tint to some of the water.
Cape Coral, Florida, United States
The News-Press

Milky Blue Water Near Prince of Wales Island
Warmer waters likely enabled a phytoplankton bloom to occur much later in the year than normal off the coast of Alaska and British Columbia.
Craig, Alaska, United States

'Red tide' algal blooms appearing around B.C. coastal waters
A species commonly referred to as “red tide” has been spotted around B.C. coastal waters over the past month.
Coastal Waters, British Columbia, Canada
CBC News

Almost every part of Canada’s largest national park is deteriorating
The report on Wood Buffalo National Park says industry, dams, climate change and natural cycles are sucking the lifeblood from the vast delta of northeastern Alberta's Peace and Athabasca rivers
Wood Buffalo National Park
National Post

Nearly entire Gulf of Finland overrun with blue-green algae
With current tropical conditions set to continue for another week, the situation is not likely to improve before the end of July or early August.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Phytoplankton Bloom near Prince of Wales Island
Ocean water has a green tint near Craig and Klawock, Alaska.
Craig, Alaska, United States

Lake Metacomet algae bloom prompts concern
BELCHERTOWN — A potentially harmful algal bloom in Lake Metacomet has officials recommending residents stay out of the water until the growth clears. “Basically, I’m advising people to avoid or minimize contact with the water,” said Erica Cross,...
Lake Metacomet, Massachusetts, United States
Daily Hampshire Gazette

Elevated PSP Levels in Unalaska and Sand Point
Regional monitoring program notifies shellfish harvesters of an upward trend in concentrations of PSP.

Gov. Rick Scott issues state of emergency for Martin, St. Lucie counties over toxic algae
Gov. Rick Scott's state of emergency could help local officials battle the toxic algae.
Saint Lucie County, Florida, United States
TCPalm

Brown ocean water at White Rock beach caused by ‘algae bloom’
City released a notice Thursday, saying the water is safe
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
Peace Arch News

Mayflies, algae both part of the game for Lake Erie walleye anglers
Anglers has expressed concerns that this early-arriving green slime signals the end of what was viewed as the summer of plenty for walleye fishermen.
Toledo, Ohio, United States
The Blade

Lake Okeechobee discharges stopping for 9 days; scope of algae bloom ‘enormous’
Officials hope a 9-day break from Lake Okeechobee releases into the St. Lucie Estuary will allow a saltwater recharge to help keep algae at bay.
Okeechobee, Florida, United States
Palm Beach Post

Arrival of Sargassum on Florida's Central East Coast Beaches
We observed large patches of marine macro-algae (*Sargassum* sp.) floating just offshore, drifting north, and getting stranded on the beach.
Hutchinson Island, Florida, United States

South Florida beaches see a surge in seaweed
Sargassum, a type of marine algae, is washing up en masse on Caribbean beaches, closing them down to the public. The same sargassum is here in Miami, lining Miami beaches.
Dania Beach, Hollywood, Florida, United States
Miami Herald

Mini Algae Blooms Arrive Earlier, Larger Than Normal
Mini algae blooms are a regular occurrence in the western basin of Lake Erie. They pop up early in the season and usually dissipate before...
Lake Erie, United States
Cleveland Scene

Brown Seaweed Appears in Massive Amounts on Florida, Caribbean Beaches
The foul-smelling seaweed is back yet again.
Miami Beach, Florida, United States
The Weather Channel

Anthrax kills eight cows on South Dakota farm
For the first time this year, anthrax has been reported in cattle in South Dakota.  State Veterinarian Dr. Dustin Oedekoven has confirmed that 8 cows died from a herd of 87 unvaccinated cattle in Clark County. The Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory at SDSU confirmed the disease from samples submitted over the weekend. Anthrax …
Clark County, South Dakota, United States
Outbreak News Today

Algal bloom spreads to more of Utah Lake
More of Utah Lake is infested with cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, which can contain toxins harmful to people and animals.
Spanish Fork, Utah, United States
KSL.com

Holy Sargassum! Seaweed Invasion
A species of seaweed has been washing up on beaches across the Caribbean and South Florida.
South Miami, Florida, United States
University of Miami News and Events

Sargassum seaweed forces closure of St. James’s Club in Antigua
St. James Club, Saint John, Antigua and Barbuda
St. Lucia News Online

Respiratory germ found in moose, caribou
A respiratory pathogen once thought to only affect sheep and goats has been found in Alaska caribou and moose. The bacterium, called mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, or "Movi," has also been implicated in the death of an emaciated caribou from the Fortymile herd last month.
Alaska, United States
Arctic Sounder

Heading to the beach? Get ready for thick, slimy seaweed
Heavy mats of seaweed are washing up on South Florida beaches, creating thick barriers to the ocean.
Delray Beach, Florida, United States
Sun-Sentinel.com

Respiratory Pathogen "Movi" Documented in Additional Species in Alaska is Also Implicated in Alaska Caribou Death
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae ("Movi") is a respiratory bacterium that can cause disease in susceptible hosts. Previously thought to be host-restricted to sheep and goat species, scientists have identified Movi for the first time in healthy moose and caribou in Alaska; a bison in Montana; mule deer in New Mexico, and diseased white-tailed deer from the upper Midwest.
Alaska, United States
ADF&G Press Release

Mysterious masses of seaweed assault Caribbean islands
Scientists scramble to explain unusual bloom of Sargassum
Caribbean Islands
Science | AAAS

What is Eating Garry Oak (Quercus garryana) Leaves?
Mount Tolmie, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Eagles Deck Out Their Nest With Kelp
Gosling Rocks
Hakai Magazine

Farmed Atlantic Salmon Virus Linked to Disease in Chinook
Research finds farmed salmon virus may cause jaundice/anemia.
Okisollo Channel, British Columbia, Canada
The Tyee

Curious by Nature: What’s bubbling in front of Jon Reiswig’s home?
For a few decades now, retired surgeon Jon Reiswig has lived with a perplexing oddity: the water in front of his North Douglas home constantly bubbles.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Climate change opening up the door for invasive species in the North
Invasive species are a more important issue as increasingly warm winters and wetter summers help grasslands and forests in the North grow like never before, changing the very fabric of the North’s ecosystem.
Paulatuk, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

Cholera found in herring eggs from Oceanside area
NANAIMO — Island Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control are warning anyone who's eaten herring eggs recently to stay hydrated and safely dispose of any remaining eggs.
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
NanaimonewsNOW

Mass vaccination against anthrax continues on Yamal tundra
More than 658,000 reindeer are up for vaccination in order to prevent another outbreak of the deadly bacteria infection.
Салехард, Ямало-Ненецкий АО, Russia
The Independent Barents Observer

Baltic countries not doing enough to stop algae suffocating the sea - Radio Sweden
Sweden and its neighbouring countries are not meeting targets to save the Baltic Sea, and one of the people involved in coordinating the work tells us why it is so hard to stop problems lilke fertilizer run-off.
Baltic Sea
Sveriges Radio

An unfrozen North
The world’s permafrost holds vast stores of carbon. What happens when it thaws?
Toolik Lake Field Station
High Country News

Unwanted visitor - Sargassum seaweed
Barbados’ most unwanted visitor has returned to its shores. The dreaded Sargassum seaweed is back. Since 2015 an influx of the unwelcome brown micro-algae has proven to be a major headache for the tourism industry. The seaweed, which invaded a number of beaches in Barbados, caused an awful stench, as the vegetable matter rotted after …
River Bay, Saint Lucy Parish, Barbados
Barbados Today

How climate change could make the threat a tiny pathogen poses to northern Canada a lot worse
T. gondii infection in people was found to be associated with drinking water from home water tanks where T. gondii parasites remained, clinging to the walls—so cleaning of these water tanks would be one way to reduce infection.
Kuujjuaq, Quebec, Canada
Arctic Now

Oceans suffocating as huge dead zones quadruple since 1950
Areas starved of oxygen in open ocean and by coasts have soared in recent decades, risking dire consequences for marine life and humanity
Temuco, La Araucanía, Chile
The Guardian

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