Cohen, Li. “Nearly ‘Catastrophic’ Piney Point Wastewater Leak Could Irreparably Harm Neighboring Marine Life, Experts Say.” CBS News, 11 Apr. 2021, www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-wastewater-leak-piney-point-near-catastrophe-harm

From March 26th to April 9th of 2021, around 240 million gallons of phosphate-saturated water from the Piney Point mining company leaked into Tampa Bay. Although state officials claim the water is only slightly acidic and nothing to be concerned about, researchers like Dr. Briceño disagree arguing that the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus are much higher than normal. A water sample showed 21 times more nitrogen than the healthy limit which was set by environmental officials. An increase in nutrients leads to more algae which prevent the seagrass from getting the necessary light to survive.

I feel the authorities are belittling the issue. They are misleading the public into thinking the water is only slightly acidic when outside experts without political agendas have evidence that it is a much bigger problem for sea life. This is a factor that is encouraging the possible extinction of the manatees. People in power continue to minimize environmental issues like this when humans are not directly impacted.