Seagrass disappearance caused by pollution

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Scientists say the disappearance of fields of seagrass in Florida's Tampa Bay is most likely due to past pollution.

As part of an attempt to bring back the once lush seagrass fields, scientists are trying to determine the official cause for their disappearance and pollution appears to be the top culprit, The Tampa Tribune said Sunday.

Unofficially blamed for the seagrass' disappearance from the Florida bay has been the presence of untreated sewage and pollutants that ran off into the body of water during the 1960s and '70s.

Another key factor may have been the disappearance of the region's numerous underwater sand bars, a theory that is the focus of wetland scientist Robin Lewis' research.

"We know the bars in Tampa Bay that were here decreased by about 50 percent," Lewis said "We know the seagrass decreased by about 80 percent."

The Tribune said in order to potentially prove the scientific theory and learn how to promote seagrass growth in the bay, Lewis is seeking grant money for further research.