Puerto Rico's bioluminescent lagoon goes nearly dark; scientists investigating

FILE - This April 1, 2005 file photo shows the Fajardo Grand Lagoon at the Nature Reserve of Las Cabezas de San Juan at dawn, about 35 miles east of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Biologists in Puerto Rico are investigating why the bioluminescent bay off the northeast coast, has gone nearly dark. According to Department of Natural Resources, scientists were traveling to the coastal city of Fajardo on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, to investigate the problem. (AP Photo/Herminio Rodriguez, File) (The Associated Press)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A glowing lagoon off Puerto Rico's northeast coast has gone nearly dark and biologists on Tuesday were trying to find out why.

Theories range from an increase in construction runoff to inclement weather to people clearing mangroves to allow larger boats into the area.

"We have been compiling data," Carmen Guerrero, secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, said in a phone interview as she headed toward Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve with a team of scientists to investigate the problem. "There are a lot of factors that could be at play."

The bioluminescent lagoon, often referred to as a bay, attracts tourists who set out in kayaks or boats by night from the neighboring city of Fajardo to see waters that glow when microscopic organisms are disturbed. A greenish light swirls off hands and arms as visitors trail them through the water.

But the bioluminescence has dropped so much that tour operators have had to cancel trips and reimburse visitors, Guerrero said.

Fajardo city Mayor Anibal Melendez told reporters that the lagoon has been dark for at least eight days.

"We've never seen anything like that," he said.

Melendez blamed the problem on runoff from the construction of a nearby water and sewer plant, and he has asked that the plant be moved elsewhere, though officials involved with the plant deny it's the cause.

Alberto Lazaro, president of the state Water and Sewer Authority, said the plant is needed because people are discharging sewage into the lagoon and nearby ocean. He said the project, which is to be completed by 2016, had been approved by the territory's Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is providing the funding.

"These agencies have certified that it will not adversely impact the environment," he said in a statement.

Laura Velez, who heads the government's Environmental Quality Board that monitors such projects, said the plant has adequate erosion and sediment control, and that officials regularly inspect to ensure it complies with environmental standards.

Recent rains and a storm that is generating heavy waves could also be affecting the lagoon's bioluminescence, Guerrero said.

The Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico, which manages the lagoon and surrounding areas, collects water samples three times a week to record data including temperature, salinity and precipitation. Guerrero said scientists will analyze that data to help solve the mystery of the darkening lagoon.

Miguel Sastre, a biology professor at the University of Puerto Rico who has long studied Fajardo's bioluminescent lagoon, one of three in the territory, said it went nearly dark in 2003 for unknown reasons, but rebounded a couple of months later.

He said in a phone interview that his main concern this time is the construction of the water and sewer plant because it coincides with the drop in bioluminescence.

"We have to take action and evaluate the situation," Sastre said. "We should do our utmost to help preserve these sites."