We’re in the throes of summer. However, our beaches aren’t being invaded by swarms of residents and tourists looking to cool off. Instead, the beaches are being invaded by toxic algae blooms. The problem has gotten so bad that 21 beaches along the Gulf Coast had to be closed. Read on to learn about which beaches have been affected and the cause of the invasive algae.
As of July 3, 2019, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) closed 21 beaches in Mississippi due to a “rapid growth of algae on the surface of the water.”
Gulf Coast Hurricane Updates/Facebook The closings began in late-June and have steadily continued.
All of the beaches on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast – from Bay St. Louis to Pascagoula – are included in the closures.
Wikid77/Wikipedia The following beaches are closed as of July 3rd: Pass Christian West Beach, Pass Christian Central Beach, Pass Christian East Beach, Long Beach Beach, Gulfport Central Beach, Gulfport West Beach, Gulfport Harbor Beach, Gulfport East Beach, East Courthouse Road Beach, Edgewater Beach, Biloxi West Central Beach, Biloxi East Central Beach, Biloxi East Beach, Front Beach, Shearwater Beach, Lakeshore Beach, Buccaneer State Park Beach, Waveland Beach, Bay St. Louis Beach, Pascagoula Beach West, and Pascagoula Beach East.
During the closures, beachgoers are still allowed on the sand but are warned against making contact with the water.
dconvertini/Flickr According to a press release by MDEQ, “The algae could cause rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.” The press release continued, “Those exposed [should] wash with soap and water.”
But it’s not just the states beaches that have been affected. Most recently, a water contact advisory has been issued for a portion of Jourdan River.
google.com The portion of the river under advisory runs from the Interstate 10 bridge to the mouth of St. Louis Bay.
Avoiding the contaminated water isn’t the only precaution residents need to take, though.
John H/TripAdvisor While the advisories are in effect, you shouldn’t eat fish or seafood taken from the affected areas.
So, what’s causing the toxic algae blooms to appear?
TeamNOLAcoe/Wikimedia Some attribute the outbreak to the freshwater pouring into the Mississippi Sound from the Bonnet Carre Spillway, which was opened on May 10th in order to alleviate flooding of the Mississippi River.
Want to stay on top of the beach closings? Click here for a map of current closures.
Gulf Coast Hurricane Updates/Facebook
The closings began in late-June and have steadily continued.
Wikid77/Wikipedia
The following beaches are closed as of July 3rd: Pass Christian West Beach, Pass Christian Central Beach, Pass Christian East Beach, Long Beach Beach, Gulfport Central Beach, Gulfport West Beach, Gulfport Harbor Beach, Gulfport East Beach, East Courthouse Road Beach, Edgewater Beach, Biloxi West Central Beach, Biloxi East Central Beach, Biloxi East Beach, Front Beach, Shearwater Beach, Lakeshore Beach, Buccaneer State Park Beach, Waveland Beach, Bay St. Louis Beach, Pascagoula Beach West, and Pascagoula Beach East.
dconvertini/Flickr
According to a press release by MDEQ, “The algae could cause rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.” The press release continued, “Those exposed [should] wash with soap and water.”
google.com
The portion of the river under advisory runs from the Interstate 10 bridge to the mouth of St. Louis Bay.
John H/TripAdvisor
While the advisories are in effect, you shouldn’t eat fish or seafood taken from the affected areas.
TeamNOLAcoe/Wikimedia
Some attribute the outbreak to the freshwater pouring into the Mississippi Sound from the Bonnet Carre Spillway, which was opened on May 10th in order to alleviate flooding of the Mississippi River.
Algae blooms aren’t the only thing to look out for this summer. Read about another concern here.
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