CALIFORNIA CAUTIONS: ALGAL INVESTIGATION OF INNER CABRILLO BEACH

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are an ecological disaster that results in the annual loss of millions in human health, economic opportunities, and recreational costs. HABs arise when eutrophic conditions cultivate unsustainable concentrations of toxic plankton and fecal bacteria. Major health concerns focus on disruptions in the food chain causing massive wildlife death along with fatal food born illnesses. Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro is ranked one of the most susceptible beaches to reoccurring HABs in Southern California. Hypotheses on how to mitigate HABs in the area included the: removal/repurposing the Long Beach Breakwater, replacement of beach sand, and implementation of bird deterrent structures. However, these hypotheses became null in the long term. Removal/repurposing the Long Beach Breakwater was concluded as being unfeasibly counterintuitive. Sand replacement and bird deterrent structures showed little impact on deterring bacterial cultivation and occurrence of HABs. Reasons being due to extraneous variables such as: weather influences, ecology, oceanography, and architecture. It is speculated that the existence of HABs within the area is unpreventable but predictable.

Improvement efforts in place by the county of Los Angeles seem to be effective in regulating pollutants. Local public health issues are addressed through community HAB watches and political action. New research concerning the forecasting and near real-time monitoring of HABs across Southern California coastal beaches are anticipated to be a great success in aiding public awareness. In conclusion, the direction of focus should continue to be shifted from HAB mitigation and prevention to accessible public communication in addressing public health concerns.