Central Florida’s lakes and ecosystems face a growing threat from pollution today. Urban runoff and agricultural chemicals are seeping into these waterways and disrupting the balance of aquatic life and the water quality of the entire region.
We need to understand that solving the problem of pollution requires a multi-faceted approach. In addition to policymakers, we all have a part to play in protecting lake ecosystems, as we work towards preserving Central Florida’s lakes for future generations.
Top Pollutants in the Lakes
Agricultural Runoff
It’s common for fertilizers and pesticides from farms to wash into lakes during rain events. Nitrogen and phosphorus from these chemicals cause algal blooms that deplete oxygen. Pesticides like atrazine and chlorpyrifos can also harm fish and other aquatic life.
Additionally, farm animal waste also pollutes as it adds bacteria and excess nutrients to the waterways.
Industrial Waste
Unfortunately, factories and power plants do release heavy metals like mercury and lead into lakes. These toxins accumulate in the fish, posing risks to wildlife and humans who eat them.
Industrial chemical spills can also kill fish and have long-term effects on lake ecosystems. Furthermore, industrial processes also produce oil and grease that form slicks on the water surface. They harm birds and aquatic mammals by damaging their waterproofing.
Urban Stormwater Runoff
Roads and parking lots tend to collect oil, grease, and heavy metals. Rain washes these pollutants into storm drains and lakes, disrupting natural systems by introducing harmful substances that affect water quality and nutrient balance.
Lawn fertilizers and pet waste add excess nutrients to urban runoff, again causing algal blooms and low oxygen in the lakes.
Trash and debris from streets often end up in lakes via storm drains too, and plastic waste in particular can harm wildlife through ingestion and entanglement.
Atmospheric Deposition
Acid rain from power plant emissions lowers lake pH and harms fish and other aquatic life that are sensitive to acidity.
Mercury from coal plants can fall into lakes with rain. It then accumulates in fish, posing health risks to humans and wildlife. Meanwhile, Nitrogen compounds from vehicle exhaust can also contribute to lake eutrophication, fueling algal growth and upsetting lake nutrient balances.
Ecological Impacts of Pollution
Aquatic Life Degradation
For years, fish populations in Central Florida’s lakes have been declining due to pollution. Toxic chemicals and excess nutrients harm them and their reproduction, and many can’t survive in polluted water.
Amphibians are particularly sensitive to pollution. Frogs and salamanders absorb contaminants through their skin, leading to deformities and reduced populations.
Aquatic insects, crucial food sources for fish and birds, also suffer. Pollution disrupts their life cycles and reduces their numbers, impacting the entire food chain.
Algal Blooms and Eutrophication
As mentioned, nutrient pollution can cause excessive algae growth in Florida’s lakes. Algal blooms will cover large areas of the water surface and block sunlight from reaching underwater plants and animals. Nutrient pollution has specifically impacted Lake Okeechobee, leading to severe algal blooms.
As algae die and decompose, they also use up oxygen in the water. This creates “dead zones” where fish and other aquatic life can’t survive. Some algal blooms even produce toxins harmful to wildlife and humans.
Habitat Loss
Pollution degrades shoreline habitats around Florida’s lakes. As contaminated sediments harm plants and animals in these areas, they also impact bird and turtle nesting sites.
Underwater vegetation, which is habitat for fish, often dies off in polluted water. This leaves many species without shelter or breeding grounds.
Drinking Water Contamination and Water Quality
Many Central Florida communities get their drinking water from Florida lakes and pollutants like nitrates, pesticides, and industrial chemicals can leach into those water sources. When treatment plants don’t remove all contaminants, people can be exposed to harmful substances.
Long-term consumption of polluted water can cause health issues like gastrointestinal problems. That’s why water quality testing is key to catching contamination early.
Take Control of Your Lake’s Cleanliness and Minimize the Impact of Pollution
Pollution has ravaged Florida’s lakes, with the state ranking first in the nation for the total acres of lakes deemed too polluted for swimming and aquatic life. This harms the ecosystem and also decreases property values for homes near polluted lakes.
However, lakefront homeowners can play a crucial role in protecting and restoring the health of their lakes. By taking proactive measures to keep your lake clean and healthy, through professional lakefront restoration and maintenance, you can make a positive impact on your lake’s water quality. Call us today and let us help you maintain a healthy lake ecosystem.
