If you are out on a boat this week, try to stay away from any red water.
Florida State University Oceanographers are performing a dye study this week as part of ongoing research on phytoplankton and circulation patterns in Apalachicola Bay.
Phytoplankton, are small single-cell algae living in the water column; they are an important food source for many organisms in the estuary, including oysters and juvenile fish.
By studying circulation patterns, researchers will see how water is spread and moved around the bay by currents, winds, and tides.
They will also see how circulation patterns influence the phytoplankton distribution in the Apalachicola Bay.
The scientists will be releasing an environmentally safe and EPA-approved red dye into a small area of the bay.
The dye is commonly used for groundwater and surface water tracing studies, as the color provides quick indication of water movement and is detectable at low concentrations.
The dye will dissipate over a short amount of time and be flushed out of the bay.
They are asking boaters, if you do see the patch of red color, please steer clear of the study area to lessen interference in our measurements.
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