Sewage Smell-Indian River

Marlinman

I certainly understand the smell up north due to sewage release, but does anyone know why there is a strong sewage smell coming from Indian River in Palm Bay area? My daily commute takes me from Grant-Valkaria to Melbourne and the smell has been persistent, especially with an east wind. I haven't seen a treatment plant, nor heard of any discharge in the area.

Captbernie

It is not sewage. It is a familiar but noxious aroma recognized by those of us who have lived on or near the river which comes from the dying and dead remnants of a red algae of the genus ,Gracilaria (Google it up for photoID).It has been abundant recently as bottom growth has renourished.It is a natural food source for herbivorous fish, crustaceans, and even mammals ,manatees.

DayzGonBye

Captbernie said:Gracilaria (Google it up for photoID).It has been abundant recently as bottom growth has renourished.It is a natural food source for herbivorous fish, crustaceans, and even mammals ,manatees.

Unfortunately there is way too much of it.  Gracilaria "Red drift algae" thrives in eutrophic settings and chokes out sea grass beds, clam shoals, and other micro ecosystems.  Basically if you have a bunch of drift algae your water is struggling.  I wouldn't want anyone to get the idea from your post that gracialaria is a good thing cause it isn't.  

duckmanJR

DayzGonBye said:

Captbernie said:Gracilaria (Google it up for photoID).It has been abundant recently as bottom growth has renourished.It is a natural food source for herbivorous fish, crustaceans, and even mammals ,manatees.

Unfortunately there is way too much of it.  Gracilaria "Red drift algae" thrives in eutrophic settings and chokes out sea grass beds, clam shoals, and other micro ecosystems.  Basically if you have a bunch of drift algae your water is struggling.  I wouldn't want anyone to get the idea from your post that gracialaria is a good thing cause it isn't.  

This is factually correct.... it is a negative indicator. 

Captbernie

Sadly that is true DGB, I was reluctant to open that can of worms this morning as I was having coffe before leaving for work,but as you have, its presence and abundance outpacing the growth of healthy sea grasses is a sure indicator of a stressed environment and we are far from recovery....

saltyreefer

I grew up in the area and the rotting algae smell has been in the Melbourne/palm bay area
long before anybody taking any notice to our dying water.

gatorhook

Grew up here also. All along US1, Riverside Drives have always had stinking shorelines in the heat. It was really bad when rotting gillnets were abandoned on shorelines... Always thought it would deter development, but was I wrong. Also can't understand why they build million dollar homes within a stones throw of the landfills along I95/Turnpike, but I guess rich people like smelling ****.