The Florida coast is dotted with dozens of beautiful beaches, and one gem, Fort Myers, is a relaxed city that can offer you a gorgeous, easygoing beach vacay. https://t.co/kjp2m4Rn3S
Have you ever wondered why the waters around Sanibel look darker this time of year? That murky tint is often tied to Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) — organic material that washes off the land into the estuary, often staining the water yellow or brown. Think of it like tea leaves steeping in water!
CDOM tends to increase after large rainfall events, as well as during damaging flows from Lake Okeechobee. While a little CDOM is natural, high levels exacerbated by human sources can block sunlight and limit growth for seagrasses and other underwater plants and animals.
Limiting fertilizer use and always picking up pet waste are two ways you can help reduce the amount of CDOM entering our waterways.
SCCF tracks CDOM levels and other key water parameters through our River, Estuary, and Coastal Observing Network (RECON), helping us better understand and protect the health of our estuary.
Here’s a relaxing little video for your Friday Afternoon I made flying my drone over the Sanibel Causeway before it was destroyed by hurricane Ian. #FloridaVibes#GreatWeekend