When hurricanes occur, they deposit freshwater in coastal waters, creating a “layer cake” effect in the sea and trapping saltier water on the bottom. “Fish can swim away and survive, but this is devasting to corals,” Elizabeth Biro said. Photo courtesy of Florida Gulf Coast University
Local News
ENVIRONMENT
What’s the state of the Gulf six months after Hurricane Ian?
“Where sediment was scoured off the bottom it’s refilling now, and the species that we expect to see both on the bottom and swimming around
Those living along the coast of Southwest Florida have a special appreciation of the Gulf of Mexico and its beautiful horizons. Since Hurricane Ian raged through the Gulf last September, bringing with it an unprecedented storm surge, one of the biggest questions about the storm’s long-term effects has been about the Gulf itself. As life slowly returns to normal on land, what has been happening beneath the surface of the Gulf? How has water quality been affected, and can lingering effects contribute to worsening occurrences of red tide?
