Macroalgal blooms on southeast Florida coral reefs

We suggest that the widespread P enrichment of C. isthmocladum tissue and water column DIN:SRP ratios <16:1 in southeast Florida drive this system toward N limitation where low level NH4+ enrichment becomes of paramount importance. Hence, the recent C. isthmocladum blooms appear to be supported by increasing land-based nutrient pollution, particularly, sewage that is enriched in NH4+ and SRP at a low N:P ratio (<10:1) critical to sustaining balanced growth during bloom formation.