Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
Beating the heat in the US is a little harder this summer than it used to be. E coli and cyanobacteria are causing many beach closures at lakes and rivers. It’s a problem that has been worsened by climate change. Warmer waters and larger downpours are creating perfect conditions for bacteria.
Bacteria tend to grow in warm conditions. Between 1985 and 2009, lakes and ponds warmed at a rate of roughly 0.6 degrees Fahrenheit (0.3 degrees Celsius) per decade. That shift is increasing the risk of bacteria blooms in historically cold places. The bacteria can cause symptoms, such as rashes, diarrhoea and liver damage.
Cyanobacteria also blooms in the high heat. When it breaks down, it releases harmful toxins that irritate the skin and eyes and cause respiratory and gastrointestinal issues.
The best strategies for reducing the risk of harmful bacterial blooms are reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.
Answer: Climate change is leading to warmer waters where the bacteria can flourish.
