Blue-green algae bloom in coastal pond

Kevin Scannell wrote:

In reference to the blue-green algae mat we observed in July [2019] during our hike in Cape May ... the density and extent of the algae in this coastal pond was unlike any I had observed in many past visits to Cape May. My family and I made approximately 12 week-long visits to Cape May in the summers between the years 2000 and 2012. The observed pond [Lighthouse Pond] is located on a popular trail in Cape May and as a runner this trail was part of my routine route during my daily runs during those summer visits to Cape May. During our visit to Cape May this year [2019], I was surprised to see the change to the pond in terms of the presence of the large bloom of blue-green algae.

Tom Okey wrote:

The mat of blue-green algae observed by our group of hikers on 18 July 2019 covered most of the surface of Lighthouse Pond in Cape May Point State Park. Kevin Scannell's description of a 12-year personal observation baseline during which the mat was not present is compelling evidence of the emergence of this algae mat since 2012 . Lighthouse Pond is found along a sign-interpreted nature walk with a wooden boardwalk winding through the different habitats found at Cape May Point State Park, New Jersey.