Year 
Figure 5. Tidal gauge data from Key West plotted as mean annual sea level as a 10-yr running 
average (dashed line) [Redrawn from Wanless et a/. (1988).]. 
1994). Nonpoint source contamination of coastal waters may be either directly or indirectly 
linked to the fibropapilloma disease found primarily on green turtles in isolated areas of the 
world, including South Florida (Lutz, 1994; Thompson, 1994). 
6.2. Algal blooms 
Algal blooms are caused by a variety of environmental conditions, some of which are natural. 
Algal blooms have been noted in Florida Bay for many years. Anecdotal information collected by 
DeMaria (in press) mentions algal blooms in the Bay as early as the 1940s (See Section 9.5.1). 
Macroalgal blooms have been documented only since 1991 in the western side of the Bay. No 
seasonality was observed. Different taxa blooms have been reported in north central and 
southeastern portions of the Bay and these may have a seasonal signal. 
6.3. Coral reef degradation and diseases 
There are no large coral reefs in Florida Bay. Small patch reefs are found in the Bay although 
conditions for growth are not favorable due to variations in water temperature and suspended 
particulate matter in the water column. The barrier coral reefs are found on the Atlantic side 
of the Florida Keys. Studies from 1984 to 1991 found incidences of coral bleaching not 
accompanied by new growth in six different reefs along the Keys. Bleaching was also found in 
1911, 1914, 1958, 1975, 1983 and 1987. Changes in water temperatures may be a cause of 
coral degradation (Roberts et at., 1982; Roberts et at., 1983; Walker et al., 1982a and 1982b; 
and others). Western Atlantic coral reefs were affected by ’bleaching' in 1987 (Lang et al., 
1992). Recovery occurred faster at shallow sites. Bleached points disappeared by 6 - 8 
months. Bleaching is the result of the loss of endosymbiotic zooxanthellae (photosynthetic 
26 
