Abstract

The clear blue waters of Biscayne Bay in South Florida have reflected the sparkle of the Miami skyline as it has shone and grown over the last hundred years, but the beauty of the bay is now suffering through many crises as the population grows, the water warms, and infrastructure ages. Over the past few years, the bay has lost acres of seagrasses, gained masses of macroalgae, and most recently has experienced a sudden and smelly fish kill. The local solid waste and waste water systems have had many failures, with plastic waste clogging canals and covering bay islands. Sewage has spilled into neighborhoods and into the bay. Local residents have documented these issues on social media, have organized, and have pushed their government leaders to respond. I'll give a brief overview of what may have led to its troubles and how local citizens and government representatives have responded and are attempting to help regain some of its former brilliance.

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